Popcorn is a crunchy snack that is easy to make at home and tastes better than any store-bought popcorn you can buy. It’s also a delicious treat that’s filled with healthy nutrients.
How to Make Popcorn From Your Own Corn
There are two basic ingredients that you need to make popcorn: corn kernels and oil. Using these two ingredients is the key to making homemade, high-quality popcorn.
You can use many different types of cooking oils when popping corn, but coconut oil is an excellent choice for adding a movie theater-like flavor. You can also use a combination of olive and sunflower oils.
How to Make Popcorn on the Stovetop
There are many ways to make popcorn on the stovetop, but the easiest method is to place a large, thick-bottomed saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat and add oil. Once the oil is hot, add a few kernels of corn and shake the pan to cover the kernels with the oil.
Then add some salt and give the pot a few shakes to distribute the salt. You can also add butter or other flavors to the popped corn, such as molasses or honey.
How to Store Popcorn You can store popcorn at room temperature for up to three to four years, provided it is properly cured and stored under ideal conditions. However, popcorn may lose its popping quality and flavor as it ages. The most common cause of this problem is a lack of moisture in the kernels.
To prevent this from happening, you can add a tablespoon of water per quart of dry popcorn. Seal the jar and shake it well twice a day. If the popcorn still won’t pop, you may need to add more water or shake the jar more often until it does.
You can also pop popcorn on a low oven shelf for a few minutes. Just be sure to stir the popcorn halfway through the cooking time to make it evenly brown and crisp.
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of popping popcorn on the stovetop, you can also buy microwaveable bags of popcorn and cook it right in the microwave. Alternatively, you can make popcorn on the stovetop in a large, thick-bottomed pan with a lid and 3 Tbs of olive oil.
Once the kernels are popped, remove them from the pot and transfer to a large bowl. You can add some butter and/or other toppings to the popcorn immediately after you’ve removed it from the pan, as the melted butter will help to spread it out.
How to Harvest Your Own Popcorn
Most people harvest popcorn by removing the ears from the plant and then storing them in mesh bags in a cool, dry place. This is a great way to save money and keep the kernels fresh for several months.
Before you harvest the popcorn, you’ll need to test whether it’s ripe. Check the husks for signs of moisture, such as white liquid inside the ear. If the husks are still green but the silks are starting to turn brown, the popcorn is probably ripe.
