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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.
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!