Scientific Reason for the “Pop”

Here is the answer, for everyone who wants to know, why does popcorn pop.  All corn consists mainly of starch. Both soft and hard or flinty. What makes the popcorn kernel unique from other types of corn is that the entire kernel is encased by the flinty starch, making a ‘Hull”. The soft starch inside the kernel contains water (10 to 14% by weight). When quickly heated to 300 to 500 degrees F, the water turns to steam. Expanding, until the hull bursts. In effect turning it inside out.

HOW TO SALVAGE OLD POPCORN

Now you know the answer to why does popcorn pop, but sometimes some popcorn kernels don’t pop. The most common reason old popcorn ceases to pop is lack of moisture. After several months of setting open in a cupboard or in a freezer popcorn loses moisture. If your old popcorn doesn’t pop well, try putting it in a quart jar. Add about a tablespoon of water, replace the lid and shake. Place the jar in a warm spot. Room temp. is fine. Shake the jar twice a day for a couple of days. It should then pop.

Then again, if you eat your popcorn right away, you don’t have to worry about it drying out.