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Popcorn is a variety of corn kernel which expands and puffs up when heated. A popcorn kernel's strong hull contains the seed's hard, starchy core with 14–20% moisture, which turns to steam as the kernel is heated. Pressure from the steam continues to build until the hull ruptures, allowing the kernel to forcefully expand and then cool.

History

Corn was domesticated about 10,000 years ago, in what is now Mexico. Archaeologists discovered that people have known about popcorn for thousands of years. Fossil evidence from Peru suggests that corn was popped as early as 4,700 BC.