Popcorn
Popping corn is one of the oldest kinds of corn. Scientists have found kernels of popped corn in caves. The kernels were more than 2000 years old.

Native Americans of North America used popcorn as food, for decoration, and in their religious ceremonies thousands of years ago. Corn was also buried with the dead.

The first corn-popping machine was invented by an American, Charles Cretors, in 1885. It was a steam-powered machine.

Why does popcorn pop?

Inside the hard kernel, there is a soft starchy centre. When the kernel is heated, drops of water in the starch turns to steam and causes the seed to explode which turns the kernel inside out.


Read more about the history of popping corn here
http://www.canadianpoppingcorn.com/cornhistory.html

And more about popcorn http://www.popcorn.org/


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Popcorn (2003). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

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Updated April 2008 ©kidcyber