logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
51m 31s

What is popcorn?

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode

#161

Summer's here, blockbusters are coming out, people will be headed to the movies, and nothing goes better with a movie... than popcorn. At least that's how we feel around here. But what even is popcorn? Are the kernels just like regular corn? How do they pop to become popcorn? What even is the stuff we're eating? Can someone please tell me what's going on?? Let's dig in.

References from this episode

  1. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/bm049220l
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733521083800071
  3. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2014.1247#d3e573
  4. https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2020/02/whats-under-the-shell-of-this-popular-snack.html 
  5. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/explore-the-pop-in-popcorn 
  6. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/04/050415112829.htm
  7. https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-popcorn
  8. https://www.compoundchem.com/2017/01/19/popcorn/
  9. https://royalsociety.org/blog/2015/02/the-science-of-popcorn/
  10. https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/adventures-in-chemistry/secret-science-stuff/popcorn.html
  11. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/plant-science-at-the-dinner-table-popcorn
  12. https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/gardening/wv-garden-guide/growing-popcorn-in-west-virginia
Thanks to our monthly supporters
  • Ciara Linville
  • J0HNTR0Y
  • Jeannette Napoleon
  • Cullyn R
  • Erica Bee
  • Elizabeth P
  • Sarah Moar
  • Rachel Reina
  • Letila
  • Katrina Barnum-Huckins
  • Suzanne Phillips
  • Nelly Silva
  • Venus Rebholz
  • Lyn Stubblefield
  • Jacob Taber
  • Brian Kimball
  • Emerson Woodhall
  • Kristina Gotfredsen
  • Timothy Parker
  • Steven Boyles
  • Chris Skupien
  • Chelsea B
  • Bri McAllister
  • Avishai Barnoy
  • Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.

Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

 

Up next
Aug 21
What makes fireflies glow?
Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind fireflies' bioluminescence. They explore how fireflies produce light through a complex series of chemical reactions involving specific molecules like luciferin and enzymes like luciferase. The discussion extends to how t ... Show More
56m 31s
Aug 14
Ask a Chemist: What would be worse, drinking bleach or gasoline? (and other questions)
Melissa and Jam dive into a variety of listener-submitted questions. They discuss the science behind fluffy shave ice versus mainland shaved ice, the effectiveness and safety of ozone treatments for smoke smells, and the potential impact of glyphosate on human health. They also e ... Show More
48m 53s
Aug 7
Why is sweat salty?
Melissa and Jam explore the science behind why sweat is salty. They discuss personal experiences with sweating, the types of sweat glands, and the chemical processes involved in sweat production. The episode explains how osmosis, ion channels, and salt concentrations contribute t ... Show More
37m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Popcorn
A lot of the stories that are told about popcorn in history – particularly in North America – are incorrect. Popcorn has been around for a very long time, though its rise to popularity as a snack has accelerated in recent years. Research: “Ancient Popcorn Discovered in Peru.” Smi ... Show More
41m 14s
Mar 2016
Popcorn
Popcorn, get your fresh popcorn! This week we're talking all about the treat that's a treat to eat: popcorn. How does corn turn into popcorn? What are the different ways to make popcorn? Why doesn't Tim like popcorn? All of these questions and more are answered on this week's epi ... Show More
1h 13m
Mar 2019
What's in Movie Theater Popcorn?
The salty, buttery popcorn sold in movie theaters is nigh irresistible, but there's zero butter involved. Learn what it's made of in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa ... Show More
5m 11s
Aug 2023
Is Microwave Popcorn Dangerous?
There used to be safety concerns about some compounds used to flavor popcorn (diacetyl) and to grease-proof microwaveable bags (PFCs). They're mostly not used anymore, but making your own popcorn might still be safer. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this articl ... Show More
4m 38s
Mar 2011
Eat Popcorn. Eat Popcorn. Eat Popcorn.
Subliminal messaging dates back to 1957, when James Vicary slipped images of popcorn and soda into films at a New Jersey theater. It spooks some consumers, but does it actually work? Tune in to learn more about the science behind subliminal messaging. Learn more about your ad-cho ... Show More
33m 13s
Nov 2019
158: What I Learned by Living with Less
The Year of Less was one of my favorite books of 2018 and I got the chance to with the author, and all around amazing person, Cait Flanders. We discuss her book, emotions and money, and her meticulous record keeping. Catch up with Cait on Instagram at @CaitFlanders. Full Show Not ... Show More
24m 33s
Jul 2019
ELI5 Popcorn - What makes it pop?
What makes popcorn pop? Can we pop other grains like rice or quinoa? Why does the first kernel popped not burn while the others are being popped? Why do most brands of microwave popcorn require one specific side to be placed up?   ... We explain like i'm five!   Thank you to the ... Show More
7m 27s
Oct 2022
Popcorn Shrimp vs. Popcorn Chicken
Today in the Food Court we have comedian and writer, Marcy Jarreau (Brooklyn 99), here all the way from the Bayou to defend her beloved popcorn shrimp. Her friend, Michael McMillian (True Blood / My Crazy Ex-Girlfeiend), is from the midwest and here to tell us all that popcorn ch ... Show More
42m 47s
May 2020
Quick Pop with Popcorn Finance Listener Claudia!
Special Quick Pop Episode with and actual Popcorn Finance listener, Claudia! Want to be on a future Popcorn Finance episode? Send me a DM on Instagram - @PopcornFinancePodcast, Facebook - Popcorn Finance, or email at Questions@PopcornFinance.com answering the following questions. ... Show More
7m 57s