History of Popcorn

Indians popped popcorn over 5000 years ago, so it is one of the oldest snack foods.  It was an important part of the Aztec Indians’ diet and was originally grown in Mexico but spread globally before the first European explorers came to North America.
A popcorn kernel is actually a seed because it has inside it a tiny plant embryo surrounded by soft, starchy, material which holds some water. A hard, glossy shell protects the outside of the seed. When the kernel is heated to a high heat, the water inside the kernel turns into steam, and the pressure from the steam causes the kernel to explode. The soft starch inside bursts out much larger than its original size. The kernel turns inside out and creates the fluffy white area of a popped kernel.  It is important for popcorn to be kept in a sealed container so it does not dry out. If it dries out, the kernel will not pop.
The oldest corn or maize ever discovered was found in New Mexico at an archaeological site called “the Bat Cave.” These ears were very small, about the size of a paper clip. In tombs in Peru, archaeologists found ancient kernels of popcorn that are so well preserved that they can still pop.
Popcorn was originally popped by throwing it on very hot stones tended over a fire. The maize popped and shot off in many directions. The Aztecs played a game by catching the corn as it popped, and the winner was able to consume the pieces he caught as a snack. Native Americans used herbs and spices to provide extra flavor for their popcorn.
Many natives of the West Indies used popcorn in garlands and headdresses and to trade with European explorers and setters. Tlaloc (Tlahloc), the Aztec ancient god of rain and fertility, was also adorned with popcorn necklaces.
Popping maize had spread through most of the North American tribes by the time the Pilgrims arrived. The Indians introduced popcorn to the Pilgrims for the first Thanksgiving dinner in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Indians used popcorn as a snack for many meetings with colonists who considered this an act of goodwill. The colonists loved the popcorn so much that they served it with sugar and cream for breakfast.
Popcorn poppers have changed drastically over the years. Some ancient poppers were made from soapstone, clay or metal. These poppers were placed on a stand directly over a fire. Winnebago Indians learned the delicacy of popping oiled corn while it was still on the cob.  They would stab a stick in the cob and hold it close to the fire. Surprisingly, the corn stayed attached and was eaten like we eat corn on the cob today.
Popcorn popper carts were invented in 1885 for fairs, carnivals, and the streets of big cities. In 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair, a popular treat with a mixture of popcorn, molasses, and peanuts was invented. It was later given the name of “Cracker Jacks.”  The snack was immortalized in 1908 in the lyrics of the popular song, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Popcorn was an inexpensive treat that became very popular all across America after the home versions of the popcorn popper came on the market by 1925. It was a very popular snack during the Great Depression in the 1930s because it was a snack most people could afford. It was also popular during World War II because sweets made of sugar were scarce because sugar was rationed during the war. Popcorn was a very popular snack at the movie theaters, but its popularity faded somewhat in the 1950s after the television was invented.
Popcorn made a comeback when the microwave became a common household appliance in the 1980s. Today the American public consumes over one billion pounds of popcorn per year.  Microwave popcorn sales in the United States have exceeded $250 billion. Its future was assured in the 1980s when its nutritional benefits were widely publicized. Weight Watchers recommends popcorn as a snack for the weight-conscious. The American Dental Association endorses this sugar-free snack, and the American Cancer Society recognizes the benefits of the high fiber content of popcorn in possibly preventing several types of cancer. Popcorn's nutritional value is so high that doctors recommend it, even with oil, over many other snack foods. Have you had your popcorn today? 
 

‎Question
Part A

Which choice is an appropriate heading to place before the last paragraph?

Responses

"The Comeback of Popular Snack Foods"

"The Comeback of Popular Snack Foods"

"Nutritional Values Recognized"

"Nutritional Values Recognized"

"The Economics of Popcorn"

"The Economics of Popcorn"

"Aztec Traditions Become America's Favorite Snack"