October
| Company: | The Popcorn Board |
| Telephone: | (312) 644-6610 |
| Web site: | http://www.popcorn.org |
National Popcorn Month celebrates the wholesome, economical, natural food value of popcorn, America's native snack. Popcorn can be part of a healthy, low-fat diet. Popcorn is a separate species of corn and is a member of the grass family, scientifically known as Zea mays everta. Popcorn differs from other types of maize/corn in that it has a thicker pericarp/hull. The hull allows pressure from the heated water to build and eventually bursts open. The inside starch becomes gelatinous while being heated; when the hull bursts, the gelatinized starch spills out and cools, giving it its familiar popcorn shape.
