Como a pipoca “estourou”?

Whether popcorn can be successfully “popped” out depends on the firmness of its skin, and whether it can effectively transfer external heat to the starch inside the grain. When the temperature rises, the moisture inside the kernels turns into steam and is gradually pushed toward the husk. When the pressure exceeds 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit), the husk bursts, and the starch and steam inside it expand and explode as the pressure inside and outside equalizes.

Cientistas também encontraram uma maneira de dobrar o tamanho dos grãos de milho que eventualmente estouram. Se uma bomba de vácuo for usada para reduzir a pressão do ar dentro da bomba enquanto aquece os grãos, quando ela estoura, pode estourar mais do que o normal.

Today, popcorn also enjoys a healthy reputation. While you may think of popcorn as a sweet, salty, butter-filled snack reserved for special occasions like movies or carnivals, it’s actually a whole grain food, low in fat and salt before it’s seasoned.