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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."
Somehow I don't think that someone referred to as a professor of food chemistry (even if that isn't all they do) is going to cure any diseases.
My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
Someone in the high-end popcorn business had to be pushing this story.
News for nerds. Stuff that 6 people care about.
This news is like three days old. Good thing I read /.
And to think of all the excellent researchers with *important* issues to research on, who can't do it because of lack of material/money.
Shameful.
"Luck is my middle name," said Rincewind, indistinctly. "Mind you, my first name is Bad." -- Terry Pratchett
I air pop my corn (not because I am a hippy, just because it's f'n easier) and the only kernels that don't pop are those that achieve escape velocity.
Freshness isn't a factor either. I buy my corn in huge bags that last me AT LEAST 6 months, and they mix in a bucket with corn from the previous bags. There is the potential that kernels from 5 years ago exist unpopped in my pop-corn collection.
I have, literally, less than 10 kernels of corn that doesn't get popped each try.
As far as MICROWAVE popcorn, I have taken the unpopped kernels from a microwave batch, put them in my air popper with fresh corn, and popped them all. This is messy, because the oil from the microwave corn gets everywhere, but I wanted to try it out because I am easily amused. There is the potential to dry out the kernel, but that doesn't seam to be much of a problem.
I suggest these people reconsider their findings. They can confirm my results by going to Target and buying an air popper, and then going to their store and buying a bag of popping corn. I am sure they will be pleasantly surprised.
Coreyfro
I have an aging West Bend Poppery and it makes fantastic popcorn. However, mine does not have a BBQ thermometer case mod like the one in the linked image.
it's a blue bright blue Saturday hey hey
This is what I love about the Internet
You can find about anything online, included experts in popcorn. I'm bookmarking this under my "Interesting esoteric knowledge" folder.
I don't understand why people use microwaves rather than a cheap air popper.
One word: convenience. Sad as it sounds, time isn't so much the factor as effort is. People willingly pay three times as much to reduce a a six- or seven-step process that requires attention to throwing a bag in a microwave, hitting a few buttons, then chowing down. (After all, three times dirt cheap is, well, still cheap.)
I'm not advocating microwave popcorn, just trying to explain. I guess it depends on your priorities. Personally, I don't eat popcorn unless it's already handy (e.g. someone had already made it and has some extra), so I have the most convenience of all with one single step: Eat!
I don't understand why people use microwaves rather than a cheap air popper.
I can think of a few reasons.
1. We're not all popcorn obessives. You know, for most people, it's just another food, not a hobby.
2. A microwave is already in the kitchen, and can be used other things. It's hard to justify another device for the sole purpose of preparing a single food, especially if you don't eat it very often.
3. Most people don't have popcorn very often, and so buying a paper bag to put in the microwave is the better alternative to buying a 'popper' and kernels, which would just be taking up room 99% of the time.
4. A lot of places sell the microwave popcorn, not so many sell normal corns.
5. Get over yourself. It's just bland salty junk food, you're talking about it as if it were some sophisticated cuisine.