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Popcorn or Popping Corn is naturally hard rather than through any process. Popcorn kernels
are usually smaller than other types of corn. Different variations are grown for different
uses whether commercial or home.

Popping Expansion

The most amazing and noticeable thing about Popcorn is how it explodes(expands).
If a popping expansion is 30-1 it means one cup of unpopped maize(kernels) will pop
into 30 cups.

The best expansion available today is 40-1. Large kernels themselves decrease as the kernel grows larger. Small round short kernels expand the most because of the high
percentage of hard starch which is the material that actually explodes.

Most good popcorns are hull-less around the kernel the thin hard covering explodes and
shatters when the kernel explodes.

There are mainly two different colors of popping corn yellow and white, the yellow
popcorn pops larger but the white popcorn is generally a better flavor and more tender.
The licence trade ie bars and hotels etc normally tend to go for the white popcorn where as cinemas and fairgrounds tend to go for yellow popcorn.

Popcorn is good for you.

It is one of the few snacks that is both good for you and tastes good, being a whole grain
until popped it keeps its nutritional value. Chewing popcorn sugar free is often recommended
by dentists worldwide as it has a cleansing effect. It is ideal for snacks and a great substitute for bread in many diets. The carohydrates which are easily digestable provide energy and help metabolize fats.

Common Popcorn Terminology

Bees wings - at the tip of the kernel tiny flecks stick to the sides of packages.

Pearls and Rice - 'Rice' are long kernels with a pointed crown and 'Pearls' have round crowns
and are short and thick.

'Mushrooms' are nearly round and 'Butterflies' are pronged and branched and very irregular
normally used by vendors.

Old maids - kernels that remain at the bottom of the kettle that did not pop - these should
not be reused.