[ ChemNews 6 ]

What make popcorn pop?

        If you've ever wondered what's going on inside your microwave as you pop up this tasty treat, grab a front-row seat and find out what all the noise is about. It's time to go behind the scenes with one of the world's oldest snack foods!
         
        So what makes popcorn pop? And why doesn't all corn pop when heated? The answer is a matter of simple science. Popcorn is a special kind of corn. Of all the types of corn, popcorn is the only variety that pops.
        
        Inside each kernel of popcorn is a tiny droplet of water surrounded by a hard shell called a hull. As the popcorn is heated, the water turns into steam, which builds pressure inside the kernel. When the hull can no longer contain the pressure — POP! — the kernel explodes and a fluffy new piece of popcorn is born.

References