Food · Facts & sources
5 sourced facts about popcorn, each with the context behind the number. 4 more are in today's round and appear here after it closes.
Answersome 14 billion quarts
The estimate is based on 2016–2020 sales. Popcorn is a whole grain made of three parts: the germ, endosperm and pericarp (hull).
Source: The Popcorn Board, Corny Facts (2020) popcorn.org
Answer13.5–14% moisture
When heated, that trapped water turns to steam; kernels are dried to about 14% after harvest for ideal popping.
Source: The Popcorn Board, Corny Facts popcorn.org
Answer400–460°F
As the kernel heats, the starch inside softens like gelatin and the moisture vaporizes until the hull ruptures.
Source: The Popcorn Board, From Seed to Snack popcorn.org
Answer135 pounds per square inch
Then the hull ruptures, and the gelatinized starch spills out and cools into the familiar popcorn shape.
Source: The Popcorn Board, From Seed to Snack popcorn.org
Answernearly 28,000 seeds per acre
Seeds are planted about 1½ inches deep and 6 inches apart each spring, and sprout from the soil in about 10 days.
Source: The Popcorn Board, From Seed to Snack popcorn.org