Popcorn

Well, how to imagine watching a movie in a cinema without a red and yellow glass of popcorn? Today, almost every person, having come to the session of his favorite movie, will definitely acquire this delicious treat before the start of the film. Meanwhile, popcorn or air corn is called a snack, which is torn from the inside when corn grains are heated. The calorie content of popcorn is 407 kcal per hundred grams of finished product.

The history of popcorn traces its roots back several millennia, when the ancient Indians of America discovered a special kind of maize that bloated when heated. This property can be explained by the distinctive structure of corn grain, in which there is a drop of starch with water. When heated, the liquid begins to boil, the steam explodes the shell, thereby opening the grain and increasing it in volume.

Over time, the production of popcorn took on an industrial scale, in particular when Charles Kritors introduced the first compact and mobile machine for the production of air corn in 188

5. And 1984 marked the invention of microwave popcorn.

To date, it will not be difficult to buy finished popcorn, but the best option is to make this air treat at home. It is enough to buy special dry corn grains designed to make popcorn at home, put the packaging in the microwave or fry them in a closed pan, and then enjoy a ready-made snack in front of the TV.

In addition, you can show a little imagination and diversify your diet. For example, you can sprinkle still hot popcorn with a small amount of powdered sugar or salt. To create a French version of this American dish, it is enough to trim the exploded grains with grated cheese. And if you add a little tomato paste and dried basil to popcorn, you get an Italian-style treat.

Popcorn species

In general, there are many types of popcorn, which can be classified into three categories, based on the varieties of additives. First of all, it is salted popcorn, seasoned with fine table salt, as well as caramelized popcorn, which is air grains of corn watered with thick sugar syrup.

In addition, another type of popcorn is distinguished, which includes a completely diverse product based on cooked corn, supplemented with various flavors.

Composition of popcorn

It is understood that the composition of popcorn directly depends on the additional components that have been added in the manufacture of this treat. However, first of all, the same substances are present in popcorn as in the raw materials, that is, corn grains.

The benefits of popcorn

The benefits of popcorn are a rather controversial concept, but from the point of view of dietetics, it can be argued that it is a source of high-quality carbohydrates and a full-fledged grain product, since it is based on a rather useful plant - corn.

When drinking popcorn, a feeling of fullness appears and at the same time appetite does not deteriorate. This is due to the fact that this product does not linger in the stomach for a long time. In addition, the main benefit of popcorn for the human body, as well as its main advantage, is considered a high content of fiber.

The harms of popcorn

A few years ago, it became known about the connection of popcorn with the possible risk of lung diseases. It is believed that the harm of popcorn to humans can be represented by special substances that are formed when diacetyl is heated. These are flavors in oil that are added to corn grains when making popcorn.