Slashdot Mirror
Scientists Solve Riddle of Unpopped Popcorn
Kozar_The_Malignant writes "CNN is reporting that scientists have solved the problem of unpopped popcorn kernels left in a bag or bowl. The short answer is that unpopped kernels have leaky hulls (seed coats) that prevent the buildup of sufficient pressure to cause the pop. The research has been published online and will appear in the July 11 edition of the journal BioMacromolecules. From the article: 'In the varieties popped, the percentage of unpopped kernels ranged from 4 percent in premium brands to 47 percent in the cheaper ones.' So buying the good stuff for home use is probably worth it."
and I just wasted all my mod points on that great email database story! I would much rather have them back for this earth shattering news.
Obama is a twitter sock puppet
Those must be some BORED scientists...
Really... who thinks it's THAT important to find out? And has access to equipment...
Show this to your friends and family that don't know what a real hacker is
... my father was a colonel.
So I'm guessing we've also solved that cancer thing or that AIDs thing already. Right?
If I wanted to cook, would I be eating popcorn?
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We too have an independent theater that still uses real butter. Better yet, they have a ready supply of brewer's yeast which makes the popcorn "go to eleven".
I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...
dont POP but IMAP. ugh. :)
Anything having to do with kernel reliability is always on-topic at Slashdot. /ducks
include $sig;
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I learned this in middle school. I am currently 30 years old. WTF???
Moisture inside the seed is heated up until the steam 'explodes' the kernel. Popcorn has to have a min. amount of moisture inside the seed for it to pop. Also, if the seed is cracked then pressure can not build.
slow news day?
I imagine it would just be a simple task for most slashdotters to patch their kernels...
Karma: Excellent Birds (mostly as a result of listening to Laurie Anderson)
Unpopped kernels? I didn't know email even was a loadable module! And besides, I prefer IMAP
TDz.
The Professional Organization Of Popcornpoppers has announced a $10,000 reword for the article in the 1954 "Poppers Life" where Orville Redenbacher declares that every tine a kernel pops it doubles in size.
the kernel without any memory leaks... hmm
The quality of kernels is of minor concern
Tell that to Linus!
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
I don't understand why people use CPUs instead of special-purpose ASICs for everything.
I only say that because I'm jealous. I grew up in an oil-and-stir popping family and am now reduced to microwave popping due to space and storage concerns.
Alas.
To start, its air-popped in high-quality olive oil,
Go look up what "air-popped" means and then sit in a corner and think about what you've done.
They must be using that partially hydrogenated butter-food instead because nine out of ten trailer park dwellers cannot believe that it is not butter.
Area Man Constantly Mentioning He Doesn't Own A Microwave
CHAPEL HILL, NCArea resident Anagama does not own a microwave, a fact he repeatedly points out to friends, family, and coworkers as well as to his mailman, neighborhood convenience-store clerks, and the man who cleans the hallways in his apartment building.
"I, personally, would rather spend my time cooking something decent than using a microwave," Anagama told a random woman Monday at the Suds 'N' Duds Laundromat, noticing the establishment's microwave. "I don't even own one."
According to Melinda Elkins, a coworker of Anagama's at The Frame Job, a Chapel Hill picture-frame shop, Anagama steers the conversation toward microwaves whenever possible, just so he can mention not owning one.
"A few days ago, [store manager] Annette [Haig] was saying she had a bad headache," Elkins said. "The second she said that, I knew Anagama would pounce. He was like, 'Oh that's a shame. I'm guessing it's because of your microwave sending out dangerous radiation into your skull every day. I don't have that problem with microwaves. In fact, I don't even own one."
According to Elkins, "idiot oven" is Anagama's favorite derogatory term for microwave.
Tony Gerela, who lives in the apartment directly below Anagama's and occasionally chats with the 37-year-old by the mailboxes, is well aware of his neighbor's disdain for microwaves.
"About a week after I met him, we were talking, and I made some kind of microwave reference," Gerela said. "He asked me what I was talking about, and when I told him, he just went off saying the last time he used a microwave, it was some microwave lasagna, and it gave him diahorrea."
Added Gerela: "Once, I made the mistake of saying I nuked something for dinner, and he started in with, 'Nuked the dinner? I don't know about you, but I 'cook' dinner. In a pan."
Anagama has lived without microwaves since 1989, when his then-girlfriend moved out and took her oven with her.
"When Claudia went, the microwave went with her," Anagama said. "But instead of just going out and buying another one which I certainly could have afforded, that wasn't the issue, I decided to stand up to the microwave teat."
"I'm not an elitist," Anagama said. "It's just that I'd much rather cook some risotto or grill some salmon than sit there passively staring at some 'ready-meal' going round and round.
Continued Anagama: "I can't begin to tell you how happy I am not to own a microwave."