Popcorn Lovers Quiz

Answer: Wampanoag

Native Americans used popcorn in a variety of ways. For snacking they flavored it with dried herbs and spices and also used it in beer and soup. Popcorn was also used in creating headdresses and corsages.

Answer: Zea Mays Everta

Popcorn is the only corn that can pop. It differs from others grains in that the shell of the kernel is not water-permeable so the moisture can't escape. Pressure builds, the kernels explode, then turn inside out. Soon you have a tasty treat to enjoy.

Answer: old maids

Women who remained unmarried were once referred to as "old maids." It's not much of a stretch to imagine why someone would refer to those unpopped kernels in the same way. They have also been referred to as "old bachelors" for the same reasons. A good batch of popcorn should produce less than 2% old maids.

Answer: Charles Cretors

Cretor invented the commercial popcorn machine in 1885 in Chicago. The company that bears his name is still in business, although it has since expanded to include other specialty equipment.

Answer: a mushroom

Movie theaters prefer the snowflake shape because it's bigger. The mushroom shape is used mostly in caramel corn since it won't crumble as easily. Nowadays many movie theaters make more money off popcorn and drinks than they do off the tickets. It's no secret that the popcorn and drinks are overpriced.

The bigger theater complexes usually have several concession stands strategically placed to meet the needs of their hungry and thirsty audiences.

Answer: New Mexico

Popcorn has been around for a long time. This is not surprising since it's high in fiber, low in calories, and fat-free if you don't saturate it with butter. Christopher Columbus supposedly introduced popcorn to the Europeans in the late 15th century.

Answer: about 350° F (180°C)

Ideally the moisture content of popcorn should be about 13.5%. This percentage seems to produce the fewest old maids.

Answer: Orville Redenbacher

Redenbacher was an agronomist from Indiana who experimented with many varieties of corn to develop the perfect popping corn. He marketed his product on TV and appeared in commercials as spokesman of his own brand, although he had sold his company in 1976. His face still appears on the boxes of his popcorn. He died in 1995 and his company is now owned by Con-Agra.

Answer: Oregon

The Midwestern states seem to be the hub of the popcorn industry and for good reason: this is where the corn-belt is located. Even certain cities within the states, for example Van Buren, Indiana and North Loup, Nebraska, consider themselves to be the "Popcorn Capital of the World."

Answer: Samuel M. Rubin

Prior to being sold inside movie theaters, vendors would sell popcorn outside the theaters. Theater owners soon realized that selling popcorn and other snacks inside the theaters would increase revenues. Rubin also began the practice of selling large boxes of candy that has entered the lexicon as "movie size."