Popcorn Maize

(Zea mays everta)

Popcorn maize is a special variety of corn and slightly smaller than typical corn. It gained significant popularity when the era of cinema began in the 1920s. This has not changed to this day, and the popular snack can be found in various forms, from sweetened to caramelized or salted. The kernel of popcorn maize is surrounded by a very thin, yet very hard, shell. This shell protects the soft kernel and withstands the heat particularly well during popcorn preparation. When the shell bursts, it creates the typical, loud “pop” sound of the beloved snack.

Popcorn plants are much smaller than common corn. Regular corn is not suitable for making popcorn.