What kind of corn is needed for popcorn: choose the appropriate variety, process the grains and prepare them at home

We all remember that alluring smell that haunts us when we go to the cinema. Of course it's popcorn! But how to cook such a delicious dish at home? Let's find out!

What kind of corn is needed for popcorn?

Not every variety of corn is suitable for preparing this dish. The whole point of the process is that in each kernel of corn suitable for making popcorn, there is a drop of water containing starch.

When water heats up, it turns into steam. Under pressure from the temperature, it is released from the walls of the seed, which causes a mini-explosion.

Suitable varieties

Corn suitable for popcorn contains a lower percentage of starch than regular corn. In addition, its composition contains 21% more fats and proteins. The seeds look shiny and varnished, their walls are much thinner than those of other types.

There are many varieties of corn suitable for cooking. Let's highlight the most popular and proven ones:

• Volcano — the height of the plant reaches 200 cm, and the length of the cob is up to 20 cm. It is considered ideal for making popcorn.
• Gobble-gobble — the size of the plant reaches average parameters, up to 150 cm. The variety is considered early or mid-early, ripening earlier than other species. Its seeds take on an orange hue and are wide in appearance.
• Zeya - a well-remembered variety of corn. Its seeds are bright burgundy in color. The growth of the stem reaches 180 cm, and the length of the cob itself is 20-25 cm.
• Ping pong - a plant reaching a length of 220 cm. The fruits are small, 100-150 cm, and the seeds are oblong.
• Hotel - a variety of corn that tolerates heat well. Its size is about 200 cm, and the cobs reach 20-25 cm.
• Granddaughter's joy - the most productive variety, it is whimsical and requires good care. It is necessary to water frequently. With good care, it tolerates illness well. It is considered early ripening and low in size, about 150 cm, the fruits are also small - 12-15 cm.
• Red - a beautiful type of corn. You can call it decorative. Its fruits are rich red in color, as the name suggests. Low, reaches 150 cm and small heads of cabbage.

When choosing a variety for planting, you should focus on the region and climate. To reap a good harvest, create the right growing conditions.

Is it possible to make popcorn out of regular popcorn?

Theoretically, it is possible to make popcorn from ordinary corn, or, as it is also called, maize, but the result is unlikely to satisfy you. Not all grains will open, and those that do open will not be as fluffy as those from varieties suitable for this purpose.

The fact is that ordinary varieties do not contain the necessary amount of air inside the grain for an explosion to occur. But for it to happen, you need to create a lot of pressure, about 200 degrees. This will require special equipment.

Therefore, it is better to choose the right varieties of corn in advance or, if you grow at home, purchase seeds of the desired varieties.

Nuances of cultivation and storage

Growing this plant is not particularly difficult. Popcorn corn and regular corn are very similar in planting and care methods. Let's look at some of the nuances.

The roots develop more slowly than those of cereal corn; the plant also does not like dry soil, requires frequent watering and may grow poorly if not weeded.

Corn for popcorn is heat-loving, so it is better to plant it in early May. 1-2 grains are placed in the dug hole. According to the recommendation, it is better to plant where nightshades previously grew: potatoes, tomatoes, etc. Since pollination with other crops can occur, plant separately from other species.

Remember the rules, the implementation of which will lead to healthy cobs and a large harvest:

1. Harrow the soil before planting.
2. Do inter-row cultivation about three times during the entire growing period.
3. Water the corn once a week, this is the minimum.
4. Do not forget to fertilize the soil in the root system with organic matter or minerals.

If you pick corn for popcorn when it is not ripe, eat it like regular sugar corn. But you won't be able to make popcorn from it.

It is better to harvest corn at the very last stage, when the mature cob begins to dry out and becomes covered with a shiny crust. It is worth preparing such seeds for further planting. It is best to store directly on the stems. To do this, we wait until the plant begins to dry completely along with the cobs; this is somewhere around the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. You should not collect corn early and dry it at home, it will explode badly.

Dry cobs are broken off and dried for about a month in a cool and dry place. Place them in cloth bags or paper bags. Good for attic or closet storage. If there is a possibility that the cobs will dry out too much, send the crop to a more humid place for several weeks. This is a cellar or balcony.

Read also:

What is good about pumpkin seed flour and how to use it for health and beauty.

Is it possible to eat raw zucchini: benefits and harm to the body.

Top 15 most delicious canned tomato recipes.

Processing and preparing grains for popcorn

Special processing of popcorn grains is not needed. Store and harvest correctly. The only recommendation is to place the grains in the freezer for 20 minutes. Due to the sharp temperature change, they will explode better.

How to make popcorn at home

Traditional cooking of popcorn at home is done in a saucepan or frying pan. Movie theaters use special popcorn machines that have a special heating plate and air heating to minimize burning of the product.

Of course, it is not profitable to purchase such a device for home use; it is better to use existing funds. Use a frying pan with thick walls; it is easier to grease it with vegetable oil.

In a frying pan

Take a good frying pan and put it on fire. We heat it well and put it on the stand. Spread the prepared corn kernels in one layer onto the frying pan.. It is better to have one thin layer, otherwise not all the grains may be fried. Then pour in vegetable oil - 1-2 tbsp. spoons. Mix well with a spatula until all the grains are covered with an oil film. Then cover with a lid and put on fire.

Soon you will hear frequent popping noises. Do not open the lid under any circumstances, this will reduce the temperature. It’s good to focus on the pops when cooking. When the frequency reaches one clap for 3-4 seconds, shake the pan again and simmer on the stove for 5-10 seconds, and then remove from the heat.

Open the lid carefully to avoid getting burned by the steam. The contents are poured into a bowl and left to cool. Add salt or sugar to taste.

Microwave

It’s easy to cook popcorn in the microwave, but the dish will be many times higher in calories - you have to add more oil than when cooking in a frying pan, since shaking it several times won’t work.

The preparation procedure is simple: pour corn kernels into a bowl, pour oil over them and place in the oven. The power should be 600 watts. Then you will hear explosions. When they occur at intervals of 3-4 seconds, take out the ready-made popcorn.

In a slow cooker

Some people cook in a slow cooker, but if you decide to use this method, it is better not to use salt in cooking, as it corrodes the surface of the bowl. The cooking recipe is the same - pour small layers of grain into a bowl, pour over oil and select the mode for soup. When the popping noise subsides, turn it off and take out the popcorn.

In a saucepan

Take a large saucepan, preferably with thick walls. If you have cooking spray, spray the inside of the pan all over the sides with vegetable oil. Pour in a small amount of grains.

Cover the pan with a lid and place on fire. Do not open until the time between claps is 1-3 seconds. Turn off the stove and open the pan. Popcorn is ready.

In a special apparatus

Special machines are used to prepare popcorn for sale in public places. Small devices for home use are also sold. The method is the same, only coconut oil is used here. First, heat the boiler for 5-6 minutes, then add coconut oil.

After we are sure that it has melted, add the corn. Add salt or sugar to the grains, to taste. We preheat the device to 240 degrees and wait for the end of the pops. Then place it several times, making sure the popcorn is ready.

How to Make Sweet/Salty Popcorn

Making sweet or salty popcorn doesn't require any skill. Just add salt or sugar. But if you want to diversify the dish, there are many recipes with the addition of various spices, you will learn about them by reading below.

Note. The popcorn recipe depends on the presence or absence of syrups and spices. Popcorn can be salty, sweet or bland. In addition, popcorn is not only a fast food made from corn, but also an ingredient in some interesting snacks and even baked goods.

Adding seasonings and spices

The standard preparation method is to add powdered sugar and coconut flakes. Sometimes vanilla is added. All the spices are added to the freshly popped popcorn, tied in a bag and shaken.

Caramel corn is a famous recipe used in all movie theaters. His recipe is very simple:

1. Melt 30 g of butter in a saucepan and pour in a glass of sugar.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of water and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Drizzle caramel over popcorn and stir.

Add various spices to the dish: cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, and marshmallows, you will see what happens - you will lick your fingers!

Corn does not explode: what to do?

There are several reasons why corn kernels do not explode:

• the grains are overdried;
• the cobs are unripe if they were picked too early;
• corn does not explode from excess moisture if it was stored incorrectly;
• corn was pollinated with varieties unsuitable for making popcorn;
• The simplest reason is that the temperature or heating power is too low.

Mistakes are made when storing corn or growing it, all of which are described above. To prepare a good dish, just follow the tips. The main thing is to love popcorn and cook with love.

Tips and tricks

There are some tips that will help in the future:

1. Dry beans that have not burst are best stored in a closed container in the freezer.
2. Some grains are overdried and therefore do not burst. Soak them overnight in cold water. Then dry thoroughly.
3. To prevent the popcorn from getting soggy, remove the lid as soon as it's ready to prevent condensation from forming in the bowl and water droplets falling onto the kernels.
4. It is better to mix popcorn with seasoning by first mixing the kernels with butter. It would be better to place salt or sugar on a moistened surface.

Conclusion

Now you know everything you need to cook a great dish! Use our tips and recommendations to enjoy amazing taste not only in cinemas, but also at home.