National Popcorn Day (January 19)
Check out the weird holiday National Popcorn Day on January 19. Learn the history of popcorn, as well as get ideas on how to celebrate.
One weird holiday on January 19 is National Popcorn Day. Check out the other weird January holidays!
History of National Popcorn Day
Believe it or not, popcorn has been around for thousands of years! It is believed that corn whose kernels could be popped were first cultivated in Mexico in 5000 BC. Only one variety of corn is able to become popcorn: Zea mays everta.
As early as the 16th century AD, the Aztecs used popcorn to make headresses that were worn during ceremonies to honor their god of maize and fertility, Tlaloc. In 1948, small heads of Zea mays everta were discovered in the Bat Cave of New Mexico by Herbert Dick and Earle Smith.
The first popcorn maker was discovered in Peru and dates back to 400 AD. This popcorn maker was a utensil with holes and a handle. In Don Hernán Cortés gets his first sight of popcorn when he invades Mexico and comes into contact with the Aztecs.
Charles Cretor, a candy-store owner, was the man who invented a machine for popping corn with steam. About that same time, Louise Ruckheim added peanuts and molasses to create the Cracker Jack.
Popcorn didn’t become popular in the United States until around the 1900s. It was called “Pearls” at the time and was sold on street corners. Movie theater owners were originally against popcorn being sold on their premises, but the Great Depression made it so popcorn was one of the few luxuries people could afford. Glen W. Dickson was the first to put in the expense of installing a popcorn machine in his theaters, and he quickly recouped his losses.
When VCRs were invented, popcorn sales plummeted. It wasn’t until the invention of the microwave and microwave popcorn (developed by Percy Spencer and patented by General Mills) that it became profitable once again.
In 1988, The Calumet City Star, as well as other publications, announced National Popcorn Day to fall on January 31st, probably to fall in line with families throwing Super Bowl parties.
No one is really sure why it is moved, but in 2003, a newspaper in Brownfield, Texas, gave the first indication that National Popcorn Day was moved to January 19, where it still remains. Oddly enough, National Popcorn Month takes place in October.
Today, Americans consume 13 billion quarts of popcorn a year, more than any other country in the world. Most popcorn produced is grown in the United States, and Nebraska produces the most corn in popcorn production.
The most popular popcorn flavors are:
- Butter and salted (like at the movie theater)
- Cheddar cheese
- Carmel flavored
- Butter only (no salt)
- Plain
- Kettle corn
Ideas for National Popcorn Day
Here are TONS of delicious varieties of popcorn for you to try on this weird holiday!
Coconut Nutella Popcorn
Have a delicious treat with this Coconut Nutella Popcorn! It’s the perfect recipe for a dessert or snack on National Popcorn Day that will allow you to indulge your sweet tooth.
Duck Fat Popcorn
Duck fat popcorn is the ultimate make at home stovetop popcorn for National Popcorn Day. This recipe uses store-bought or leftover duck fat to make the most decadent, yet healthy, popcorn snack.
Black and White Chocolate-Drizzled Popcorn
This Black and White and Chocolate-Drizzled Popcorn is addictive! It's salty, sweet, crunchy and totally irresistible! Make this chocolate-covered popcorn for a delicious snack, party favor or homemade gift on National Popcorn Day. It's easier than you think!
Dairy-free "DORITO" Popcorn--{an easy healthy snack!}
Do you like DORITOS but want a healthier option on National Popcorn Day? Try this Dorito Popcorn Recipe to get the flavor of Doritos, but without the chemical topping--delicious and dairy-free too!
Spiced Popcorn with Indian Flavors
Spiced popcorn is the perfect way to take a very easy snack and add a little twist National Popcorn Day. This recipe calls for Indian flavors like cardamom, cumin, and coriander to create a sweet and savory flavor.
Parmesan Cheese Popcorn, great in lunchboxes... or a yummy platter
Savoury popcorn is a yummy snack, this cheese popcorn is tasty and perfect for big and little people. On an antipasto platter with a glass of wine on National Popcorn Day, then the next day it's in the kids' lunchboxes.
Maple White Cheddar Popcorn
Maple White Cheddar Popcorn sounds weird, but is REALLY good to try on National Popcorn Day. This is an accurate homemade version of the Canadian Tire popcorn treat!
Easy S'mores Popcorn Recipe
This S’mores Popcorn is perfect on National Popcorn Day for anyone with a sweet tooth! With chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows, this will be a family fave!
Suzis Toffee Popcorn with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe - Confection - Bloom
Suzi’s Toffee Popcorn with Chocolate Drizzle is sweet, chewy, and highly addictive. It also makes a lovely gift on National Popcorn Day.
Chili Cheese Popcorn
If you love chili cheese fries, then you’ll love Chili Cheese Popcorn , a healthier afternoon popcorn snack on National Popcorn Day that still satisfies your craving for spice and cheese.
Peanut Butter Caramel Popcorn Bars
These delicious popcorn bars has a chewy peanut butter cookie crust and is topped with salted caramel fudge popcorn. The perfect dessert for kids & parties on National Popcorn Day.
Sweet Churro Popcorn
Take the scrumptious flavor of churros, which taste like cinnamon donuts, and turn it into a healthier treat on National Popcorn Day with this Sweet Churro Popcorn Recipe.
Pizza Popcorn
If you’d like your own bowl of popcorn to munch on while enjoying National Popcorn Day, consider this Pizza Popcorn. Start with a big bowl of popped popcorn, then whip up a quick pizza-flavored olive oil that includes sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and lots of Italian herbs.
Homemade Parmesan Garlic Popcorn
This Homemade Parmesan Garlic Popcorn takes just 10 minutes for fresh popcorn. Perfect as a snack or appetizer on National Popcorn Day.
Gingerbread Popcorn
Homemade sweet cinema-style popcorn with all the flavours of gingerbread. The perfect accompaniment on National Popcorn Day to re-watching your favorite Christmas films (even though the season is over)
Quick and easy salted egg yolk popcorn snack recipe
A quick and easy Asian Salted Egg Yolk Popcorn Snack Recipe for National Popcorn Day which is creamy, buttery and full of umami! Even better, it takes less than 10 minutes to make this addictive, deliciously sweet & salty popcorn.
Kool-Aid Popcorn
National Popcorn Day just isn't complete without the rainbow colors and flavors of Kool-Aid popcorn!
Easy Nori Seaweed Popcorn Recipe — Registered Dietitian Columbia SC
A quick and healthy snack, this easy nori seaweed popcorn recipe is a tasty way to sneak in the health benefits of sea vegetables on National Popcorn Day! Just pop popcorn in a skillet with sesame oil, then toss with sea salt, sesame seeds and toasted nori. Make a big batch for snacking!
Sweet Tajin Popcorn
Sweet, spicy, savory (and tart!) in perfect harmony... Sweet Tajín Popcorn with Spiced Candied Pepitas, Chocolate, and Dried Cranberries may just rock your world and just in time for National Popcorn Day!
Neapolitan Popcorn
This Neapolitan Popcorn is about to become your new favorite dessert on National Popcorn Day. It’s so good, you’ll be hard pressed to stop at just one bite.
Easy Candied Jello Popcorn
This easy candied Jello Popcorn lets you create a rainbow of flavors and colors for National Popcorn Day. Change the gelatin flavor to create different colors and flavor combinations.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Popcorn
Even though Fall is over by the time National Popcorn Day rolls around, it's still the perfect time to enjoy this fun popcorn mix! IT combines pumpkin spice with a coffee flavor.
Sriracha Bacon Popcorn
Spice up your popcorn with sriracha and bacon on National Popcorn Day! This snack is fast, easy, and delicious to munch on. Sriracha bacon popcorn is great for movie night or anytime you need a little pick-me-up.
Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn
Make your own red hot cinnamon popcorn on National Popcorn Day with this easy recipe! This recipe makes popcorn that's coated with a red hot candy coating.
Oreo Funfetti Popcorn
This Oreo Funfetti Popcorn is also known as birthday cake popcorn or party popcorn. Packed with sprinkles and Birthday Cake Oreo Cookies, it's a quick and easy dessert perfect for bringing to National Popcorn Day!
Peanut butter chocolate popcorn
Peanut butter and chocolate popcorn is a sweet & salty snack for National Popcorn Day that is addictively delicious. With swirls of peanut butter sauce & dollops of melted chocolate, it’s a guaranteed hit with adults and kids alike.
Pomegranate Popcorn
This winter themed popcorn mix includes festive pomegranate arils, dark chocolate chips and lemon zest. A simple and irresistible snack for National Popcorn Day!
Salted Lime Popcorn
Salted lime popcorn is a quick, no-fuss snack recipe for National Popcorn Day that's made right on the stovetop. Coconut oil produces light and airy popcorn that's goes so well with its tart and salty toppings.
RAINBOW POPCORN for a rainbow or unicorn party. With video.
This rainbow popcorn (aka unicorn popcorn) is so easy to make and it’s the perfect, colorful snack to brighten up your National Popcorn Day, or for a rainbow or unicorn party.
Bacon Popcorn
Sweet and spice and everything nice, this Bacon Popcorn will become your family's go-to appetizer on National Popcorn Day or movie-watching treat. Enjoy!
Moroccan Twist Salted Caramel Popcorn
This Moroccan Twist Salted Caramel Popcorn is sweet, savoury, a little spicy, and complex... with flavours like garlic, cardamom, and fennel, it's definitely something you should try on National Popcorn Day!
Caramel Corn with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe | gritsandpinecones.com
Caramel Corn with Chocolate Drizzle is an easy to make, sinfully rich, crunchy taste sensation with freshly popped popcorn and peanuts topped with a creamy sweet caramel glaze and to top it off, a drizzle of decadent dark chocolate. Enjoy it on National Popcorn Day.
Truffle Popcorn Recipe — Registered Dietitian Columbia SC
This truffle popcorn with rosemary-garlic butter recipe is the best for movie night on National Popcorn Day! Freshly popped popcorn kernels are tossed with a rosemary and garlic infused butter, and seasoned with your favorite truffle seasoning!
Smoky Spiced Campfire Popcorn Recipe
A tasty treat to make before dinner, this is a great snack to compliment your evening outdoors, even in the cold on National Popcorn Day. Pull up a camp chair, make yourself a bowl of this popcorn, and watch the sunset.
Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn Recipe
Add a little sweet to your salty with this Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn recipe. Easy to make and ready in under 10 minutes, this simple snack recipe is perfect for a movie night at home on National Popcorn Day.
Vanilla Valentine Popcorn … with a Spicy Kick!
This vanilla Valentine popcorn would be a great teacher or neighbor gift, class party snack, or a special afternoon snack for your family on National Popcorn Day.
Peeps Popcorn Balls
These Peeps Popcorn Balls are our favorite way to enjoy leftover Peeps. Perfect for Peeps lovers or those who hate Peeps. Either way, everyone loves colorful marshmallow popcorn balls! They taste great and are a family favorite treat on National Popcorn Day!
Gingerbread Caramel Corn Recipe
Delicious Homemade Caramel Corn Recipe made with warming gingerbread spices and sweet buttery caramel sauce. Enjoy this perfectly sweet and crunchy snack time favorite on National Popcorn Day and share your very own gingerbread caramel corn with family and friends for an easy, homemade, edible gift.
Cookie Monster Popcorn Recipe
Treat your favorite little monsters to a treat on National Popcorn Day with this Cookie Monster popcorn recipe.
THAI STYLE POPCORN - Cook with Kushi
Thai Style Popcorn is an addictive snack on National Popcorn Day with a perfect combination of flavors. It is crispy and crunchy with the right amount of sweet, sour, and spiciness. This snack is also vegan and gluten free. Popcorn could not get any better than this!
Maple Popcorn Recipe: Homemade Sweet & Crunchy Fall Snack
This Maple Popcorn Recipe is easy to make and it’s an addictive snack that you’ll want to make every year on National Popcorn Day. The popcorn also makes a great gift too!
Easy Honey Caramel Popcorn
Sweet and crunchy, this caramel popcorn recipe with honey is an easy-to-make treat on National Popcorn Day.
3 Ingredient Old Fashioned Kettle Corn Popcorn
This Kettle Corn Popcorn can be made is less than 10 minutes with just 3 ingredients. These Kettle Popcorn are a good comfort snack for National Popcorn Day.
Bacon Jalapeno Popcorn (Sweet and Spicy)
This bacon jalapeño popcorn is a taste explosion! Salty, sweet and spicy, it's the perfect snack for movie night on National Popcorn Day. Easy to make and ready to serve in less than 15 minutes, the corn is finished with a honey and butter sauce that will make your tastebuds tingle!
BBQ Flavored Popcorn
Popcorn drizzled with butter then tossed in a sweet and smokey homemade BBQ powder for a fabulous gourmet flavored popcorn made at home. Perfect for National Popcorn Day!
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