National Popcorn Day!

I am starting to see a trend here...I seem to like the "National" days that pay homage to food and drink!

In honor of today being National Popcorn Day, I would like to share some history on this delicious snack.  

• Native Americans in North America discovered popcorn thousands of years ago.  One of the oldest forms of corn, there is even evidence of it from 3600 B.C. in New Mexico (AB-  find out where!!)
• During the Great Depression, while other businesses failed, the popcorn business did fabulously and became a source of income for struggling farmers.  
• There are 6 "Popcorn Capitals of the World" - Ridgeway, IL; Valparaiso, IN; Van Buren, IN; Shaller, IO; Marion, OH; and North Loup, NE.  
• Popcorn is the official state snack food of Illinois - what is your state's official snack food?
• The world's largest popcorn ball was unveiled in October 2006 in Lake Forest, IL.  It weighed 3,415 pounds (!!!), measured 8 feet in diameter, and had a circumference of 24.6 feet!  Orville must be proud!!

Looking to get a new popcorn bowl to celebrate this glorious day?  Check out this cool gold bowl!  It is available for purchase here.

There is an organization named The Popcorn Board, a non-profit check-off organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors to raise awareness of popcorn as a versatile, whole grain snack.  They even have a "mascot", Poppy!

Pop away!