Homemade Perfect popcorn

Popcorn is a puffed snack made by putting corn kernels, butter, and sugar together in a popcorn machine. It has a sweet taste. In the past, popcorn was made by skilled popcorn makers who placed a round, rolling black stove over a fire, rotating and roasting it until plumes of black smoke rose as the temperature increased. Then, with a forceful stomp that produced a loud bang, white and golden-hot popcorn flew into a netted tube held in position in advance. Nowadays, popcorn is often enjoyed while watching movies.

Making homemade popcorn is easy with just a pot, and mastering the technique ensures each kernel pops full and deliciously sweet. While making popcorn may seem straightforward, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1.Popcorn:

Thousands of years ago, popcorn was first discovered in the Inca Empire and is one of the oldest snacks in the world. It is a relatively simple dish to make. Take a suitable amount of corn and place it in a popcorn popper, seal the lid tightly, then place the popcorn popper on the stove and continuously rotate it to evenly heat it until it pops. Today, it is a popular snack.

2.What oil is used for popcorn:

①Olive oil: Olive oil is a healthy type of oil rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, which can help lower cholesterol levels and promote heart health. However, due to its relatively low smoke point, it is not suitable for high-temperature cooking. Therefore, when making popcorn, it's important to carefully control the oil temperature.

②Corn oil: Corn oil is a highly nutritious oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can help lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, corn oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for high-temperature cooking environments. It also produces excellent results when making popcorn.

③Sunflower seed oil: Sunflower seed oil is extracted from sunflower seeds. It has a mild flavor and is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Additionally, sunflower seed oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for high-temperature cooking.

3.Should sugar be added to popcorn before or after popping:

①For beginners or those looking to make popcorn easily, it's recommended to first pop the corn kernels in oil, then add water and sugar afterward. This method has the benefit of keeping the sugar and corn kernels separate during cooking, preventing them from sticking together. Even if you prefer not to have a sweet flavor, you can still pop the corn and enjoy it as is.

②For those who want to make caramel popcorn, you can start by heating oil in a frying pan until melted, then add the corn kernels and stir well over medium heat. Once the kernels start popping, cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and occasionally shake the pan to ensure even heating of the kernels. When the popping sound reduces and most kernels have popped, turn off the heat. While the pan still retains some warmth, sprinkle sugar over the popcorn and continue stirring to coat each popcorn evenly with sugar. In this method, the sugar is added after the popcorn has popped.

4.The best pot for making stovetop popcorn:

The best pot for making stovetop popcorn is a non-stick pan. If a non-stick pan is not available, a regular frying pan can also be used, but it's important to stir or shake the pan consistently during cooking to prevent the popcorn from burning or sticking.