Fluffy white popcorn catches our consideration, contemplating the unique kernels are significantly smaller. In case your popper has a glass lid, it’s much more enjoyable to observe the kernels explode. The popcorn seed is roofed with a skinny onerous shell or hull that traps moisture inside. When it’s heated, that moisture is transformed to steam and stress rises rapidly to the purpose that the hull explodes inflicting the seed (kernel) to blow up and switch itself inside out. The tender, fluffy a part of the popcorn that we eat is the exploded endosperm, which is stuffed with advanced carbohydrates.
Based on Sarah Browning of Nebraska Extension, popcorn is taken into account an entire grain and is a supply of carbohydrates and fiber. It’s a wholesome snack meals (in case you don’t add an excessive amount of butter). A frivolously buttered cup of popcorn comprises about 80 energy.
Perhaps, if you’re contemplating preserving popcorn, you have got grown your individual popcorn. Many sorts of popcorn can be found for the house backyard, together with some with coloured kernels equivalent to crimson and darkish blue. Nonetheless, they nonetheless pop a fluffy white. Ear measurement is kind of variable, from brief ears which are 2 to three inches lengthy to 7-1/2 inches for some hybrid varieties.
Take into account these steps for harvesting popcorn. Enable ears to mature on the stalk so long as attainable, choosing the ears after the stalks are brown and dry, however earlier than frost. The husks will likely be dry and the kernels onerous. Based on Heidi Mitchell from Utah Extension, the cobs nonetheless have a excessive moisture content material at harvest and must be dried additional in a heat, well-ventilated room equivalent to a heated basement or an attic for two to three weeks. (Place the ears with husks eliminated in a porous mesh bag.) Drying the ears will lower moisture to 12-15%, which is protected for storage. After about two weeks, you possibly can shell a cob and check its popping high quality. Based on Mitchell, if the popped kernels are chewy or have many jagged edges, the moisture content material remains to be too excessive, but when there are numerous unpopped kernels, the popcorn is simply too dry.
Based on Sarah Browning, “Popping issues normally point out the corn is both too dry or too moist. Dry corn tends to pop partially or in no way. If the corn is simply too dry, take away the kernels from the ears, then add moisture” by including 1 tablespoon of water per quart, then seal and shake it nicely twice a day for a few days. Check some extra kernels and whether it is nonetheless too dry, repeat the therapy. “If the popcorn is simply too moist, unfold it out on a pan and let it proceed to dry till a number of check kernels are dry and popping nicely once more. Keep away from oven or fast drying since this could scale back popping high quality.”
“Moist corn pops slowly with a loud noise; the kernels are small and difficult with a “chewy” texture and jagged look. There may even be lots of steam popping out of the popper. In case your popcorn remains to be too moist, permit it to remedy a number of extra weeks; then check it once more. When correctly cured, your popcorn ought to have an excellent style and pop nicely.”
For storage, when the ears are cured, rub one ear in opposition to one other to take away the kernels. Fill quart glass jars three-quarters full and seal them tightly. Retailer jars within the fridge or another cool spot to protect popping high quality. Correctly cured and saved popcorn ought to keep its popping high quality and taste for 3 to 4 years. Previous corn might develop a barely rancid style and popping high quality might diminish. If storage situations are too moist, popping issues might develop and the corn might spoil.
Take pleasure in a enjoyable, wholesome snack or avoid wasting popcorn to make ornamental strings for the vacations.
When you’ve got meals preservation questions, a house economist is obtainable to reply questions on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., by calling 717-394-6851 or writing Penn State Extension, Lancaster County, 1383 Arcadia Highway, Room 140, Lancaster, PA 17601.
The Nicely Preserved information column is ready by Penn State Extension.
