Popcorn was first discovered by the Native Americans, who traditionally flavored popcorn with spices and herbs. Popcorn became very popular during the great depression especially in theaters. The popcorn business thrived and became a source of income for struggling farmers.

Today you can find popcorn kernels or microwavable popcorn bags in any grocery store or convenience store in many flavors.

Health or Junk Food

Popcorn is not as healthy as it once was. Popcorn has a great source of fiber, but can be over seasoned with oil, salt and butter. You commonly will find popcorn in theaters as a preferred movie snack. Do you like your popcorn extra-buttery? A bag of popcorn at the movies could be between 400 to 1,200 calories, with one to three days’ worth of saturated fat and up to 1,500 milligrams of sodium.
The lowest calories are found in plain homemade popcorn. And if desired you could make your own toppings.

At Your own risk

Could our favorite movie snack be dangerous? Yes. Young children should be supervised when eating popcorn, because it could cause choking if popcorn gets caught in the throat and blocks the airway. Remember popcorn originates from corn, so if you are allergic to corn stay away from popcorn aswell.
A popcorn kernel logged into the gums could cause infection. Un-poped kernels are known to unexpectedly chip or break teeth

How to Make

Traditionally, popcorn was made over the fire. You can now make popcorn in the microwave for a quick and easy 1 min and 30 seconds. If you do not have a microwave you can make it in a pot or pan, but careful it gets a bit messy. Here is how you do it:

Ingredients:
3-quart sauce pan with lid.
Popcorn, not much.
1 stick of butter
Vegetable oil
Table salt

1. Turn on stove and adjust to somewhere between medium and high heat.
2. Poor oil in the pan to cover bottom.
3. Place pan on stove and let heat for a minute or so.
4. In the mean time, put a stick of butter in another pan and start it melting at medium heat.
5. Put three popcorn kernels in the pan.
6. When one or two of them pop, cover the bottom of the pan with popcorn and then some, but not a whole lot. You should not be able to see the bottom of the pan.
7. Place the top on the pan. The popcorn should start popping in a minute or so.
8. Continuously shake the pan across the burner until popping reaches a crescendo.
9. Move to a unheated burner and back to the heated burner once or twice
10. Move to an unheated burner when the popcorn reaches the lid and wait while it finishes popping.
11. Pour popcorn in a large bowl, pour on butter, and salt to taste.

If that sounds complicated…why not try a popcorn machine?

Popcorn Machine

What is a popcorn machine? It is quite simply a plug-in machine that turns kernels into delicious popcorn! In 1885, Charles Cretors invented the popcorn machine. Today, a popcorn machine can be found in all shapes and sizes and at a number of price levels.

How To Use A Popcorn Machine:

1.Fill the hopper of the machine with popcorn.

2.Determine where the hot popcorn comes out of the machine and place a large bowl beneath this opening. For machines that are self contained this step is not necessary.

3.Plug the machine into an electrical outlet and turn the switch on. If the machine requires the popcorn to be manually released from the hopper, do this when the green light on the front of the popper comes on.

4.Allow the popcorn to fully pop before turning the machine off. You can determine when it is done when you don’t hear any kernels pop for 10 seconds or longer.

5.Unplug or turn off the machine when you are finished.

Theater popcorn makers are not items that only businesses can own.  Sure they buy machines that can handle a heavy load and wear and tear but your average family can have their own private antique popcorn maker that the household can enjoy.  Its a great thing to have.  Imagine the whole family sitting down in front of their big screen HD television watching a movie and being able to pop some popcorn with their own popcorn maker.  You could have the ability to invite over your neighbors and friends.  They would love it.  And whats best of all you will not have to pay $4.50 per bag that comes with a re-fill if you buy the super large bag that nobody can ever finish.

There are several models that you can choose from.  I prefer the “antique” look myself.  I love to imagine that  I am in the 1930s at one of those grand movie theaters.  That look is amazing.  It sometimes feels like you are watching “Gone with the Wind” for the first time.  The look they can bring to a home is fabulous.  They have a great “movie” feel to them.

Later on we are going to go into the different types that you can buy.  They are not as expensive as you might think.  If you look around you can purchase a popcorn maker that only cost several hundred bucks.  Its not much at all and can really be an attention getter.  Even if you are not a huge popcorn fan and cannot imagine why you would ever need one of these machines please realize that its great piece for decoration.  Especially when complemented by an island kitchen they can really bring a room out and turn it into a “eye catcher.”

Do not let the theaters have a monopoly over you.  They do not have exclusive rights to these machines.  Century and AMC would like to think they do but I assure you they do not.  If you have any comments are advice let me know.  I am an avid fan and look getting current updates and news related to this specialized machine.