Content
Many people love a popular delicacy in America - popcorn. Everyone knows that it is made from corn. But this is not just any corn, but its special varieties, which are grown according to certain rules of agricultural technology. The corn for popcorn is grown, then harvested and dried. Only after this can it be used for its intended purpose.
The history of popcorn
According to legend, popcorn dates back to Indian times. In 1630, the leader of the Cuodecuyan tribe came to the village of English colonists. It was there that he showed how to make popcorn, which in Indian tribes was considered not only food, but also a means of fortune telling. In Chicago, popcorn began to be produced on an industrial scale in 1886. The standard use of this delicacy in cinemas dates back to 1912, when it began to be sold to movie lovers. Corn kernels explode due to the starch inside and a small drop of water. How the Indians came up with this is still unknown. But in America there is even a special holiday called “Popcorn Day”. It is celebrated on January 22.
Varieties of popcorn corn vary in name and appearance, but they all share common traits that help the corn pop.
Why does corn explode?
The presence of starch and water allows the corn to “explode” and turn into popcorn. Therefore, special varieties are required that have a hard and glassy shell. When an explosion occurs, shell residues remain on the final product. “Popcorn” varieties of corn have a lot of them.
The process itself occurs due to the large amount of moisture that is in the grain. If it is not enough, the moisture will not be able to break the shell. But excess water in the grain will lead to the fact that the normal temperature is not enough for the grain to explode. Therefore, varieties are needed that contain only a small drop of water. It boils under the influence of temperature and then turns into steam. It is this steam that breaks the shell.
What kind of corn is suitable for popcorn?
A suitable popcorn grain has the following features:
- thin but strong walls;
- varnished grain surface;
- low percentage of starch compared to other varieties of corn;
- more fats and proteins.
It is these varieties that easily turn the liquid inside the grains into steam and burst under the influence of temperature in the microwave or in a frying pan.
The best varieties of corn for making popcorn
To make an airy delicacy, there are several proven varieties of cereal. They meet all the requirements and, with proper care, produce a harvest of grains that can easily turn into puffed corn under the influence of temperature. For those who want to grow such corn, you can select varieties based on ripening time, yield, and even the color of the grains.The variety is great; you can plant and grow such varieties on your own plot. With proper care and storage, these varieties have no more than 2% unopened grains. The varieties of corn for popcorn are shown in the photo below. Some look very unusual, like the delicacy itself.
Red popcorn
This is an early variety of plants with low shoots. It reaches a height of 120 cm. The cobs are small, no more than 10 cm in length. The grains have an interesting color, similar in shade to mahogany. Characterized by the highest taste qualities.
Hotel
Another early variety that can be harvested 80 days after planting. It is especially pleasing to beginning gardeners because it is drought-resistant and rarely lodges. Ideal for growing in dry and hot regions with little rain. Taller than the previous variety, reaches a height of 2 m. The length of the average cob is 200 mm. Pearl-shaped grains have a uniform yellow tint.
Lopay-Lopay
Mid-early, high-yielding version of corn for popcorn. Reviews about this variety are extremely positive. Height 130-170 cm, which is lower than most varieties. The length of the cob is 18-21cm. From germination to the appearance of the harvest and technical ripeness of the variety, 90-95 days pass. The cobs are cylindrical, large, weighing up to 250 g. The grains are yellow, long, wide.
Volcano
A tall variety up to 2 m. It has large cobs 20-22 cm in length. Vulcan corn grains resemble rice in appearance and have an even yellow color. It has unique resistance to temperature changes, drought and disease. Popcorn lovers note the high taste parameters of popcorn made from this particular variety of corn. One cob will provide up to 120 g of excellent grains.
Zeya
The variety has proven itself to be early.It takes 80 days from germination to harvest. The main difference between this variety and others is the special shape of the grains. They are wide, long and rounded at the top. The color of the grains is burgundy-red. The height of the Zeya variety is up to 1.8 m. The size of the cob is 20 cm.
Granddaughter's joy
Another option for an early ripening variety for popcorn. The period from germination to harvest is 75-80 days. The height of corn is 1.6 m, the size of the cob is only 12 cm. The grains are pale orange in color and small. A rather capricious variety, because it does not like drought and is picky about the soil. But it is resistant to diseases.
Ping pong
This is a later specimen that matures for storage approximately 100 days after germination. The largest size of the cob for this variety is 15 cm. The grains are small, oblong in shape, and the plant itself is up to 2.2 m high.
Growing corn for popcorn
Anyone can grow corn for popcorn on their own plot. But to get a tasty delicacy, you will have to put effort into caring for and planting plants. It’s not enough to just choose a variety, you also need to grow it and provide all the subtleties of agricultural technology. First of all, you need to take into account that popcorn corn varieties are very heat-loving and are not suitable for growing in northern regions. However, most of them tolerate drought and heat. It’s not enough to grow the popcorn plant correctly; it also needs to be harvested and dried properly.
Landing
When choosing a place to plant popcorn corn, you must take into account that corn has a strong rhizome. It will easily tolerate heavy soil, but does not get along well on light and sandy soils. The predecessors of corn should be potatoes, tomatoes, and early crops.
The optimal time for planting is mid-May.By this time, the threat of return frosts and temperature changes should have completely passed.
A day before planting, it is better to add nitrogen fertilizers to the soil at the rate of 150 g per 10 m2. Be sure to loosen the soil to a depth of 10 cm.
It is recommended to soak the grains before planting. Then plant 1-2 grains in each hole in the prepared holes. The holes should be 50 cm apart from each other. The distance between rows is 40-60 cm.
After planting, be sure to water all the holes.
Care
Caring for future popcorn includes several mandatory rules. First of all, it is necessary to ensure regular watering of the plant. The corn needs to get a lot of moisture. The plant needs to be watered 1-2 times a week. If there is no rain and it is too hot - 3-4 times a week. If it is possible to create a drip irrigation system, then mineral fertilizers can be added to the water.
Be sure to loosen the soil and remove weeds. In addition, additional fertilizing is important for cereals. Productivity directly depends on them. The root system of popcorn varieties is a little weak in terms of nutrition.
After the first 5 true leaves appear, it is necessary to add urea or liquid organic matter. Before throwing out the panicles, the corn is fed with nitrophoska or azofoska. During the period when the cobs are forming, it is necessary to add potassium or nitrogen substances.
Care also includes pollination. Corn is pollinated by the wind, and it only needs help in calm weather. It is necessary to shake the plants slightly for pollination to occur.
In addition to weeds, there are pests that are also enemies of corn. These include: wireworm, corn borer, Swedish fly. As a preventive measure, you should not plant the plant in one place for several years in a row. Specialized drugs are used for treatment.
Harvesting and drying corn for popcorn
Harvesting is one of the most important stages in popcorn production. If the kernels are picked at the stage of milky ripeness, as is done with sweet corn, then they will not be able to explode in the frying pan. It is important that the grains ripen and even dry directly on the cob. A characteristic external feature of the finished grain is the glassy shell.
You need to pick the cobs immediately before storing them. They must be collected directly in the “clothes”. After collection, all heads of cabbage lie in a cool and dry place for 30 days. After this period, the raw materials are placed in paper or fabric bags. The optimal place for storage would be a cellar or balcony.
Overdried grain will not have that drop of moisture that is needed for the grain to open. If storage conditions are met, popcorn corn on the cob can be stored for 3-4 years without loss of properties.
If corn is grown, harvested and stored according to all the rules, then the dehiscence level will be 95% of the total number of grains.
How to make popcorn at home
You can make popcorn at home in the microwave or in a frying pan. When using a frying pan, you need to choose the deepest container so that the grains do not jump out during cooking. The cooking algorithm is simple:
- Pour a tablespoon of sunflower oil.
- Pour in enough cereal to cover the bottom, no more.
- Cover with a lid and wait until the characteristic sounds stop.
- Add salt or caramel to taste.
You can also do it in the microwave. Place the grains in a bowl with a small amount of vegetable oil and cover with a lid. Warm-up time 3-4 minutes.
Conclusion
Corn for popcorn differs from sugar corn in the content of starch, water and fat. Anyone can grow these varieties. There are some peculiarities of agricultural technology, but there are also non-capricious varieties. It is important that the beans are stored in a cool, dry place after harvesting. Then the ready-made popcorn will be tasty and many times healthier than store-bought popcorn. There are both early and later varieties. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a variety depending on the desired harvest time. Popcorn grass requires regular watering and fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers.
