Popcorn that has been popped by exposing it to hot air is known as air popcorn. This usually necessitates the use of a special appliance known as an air popper. Air popped popcorn, unlike most other types of popcorn, is not exposed to any oil or butter during the popping process. Air popcorn is much healthier than other types of popcorn because it lacks the extra fat and calories, and it doesn’t burn as much as other types of popcorn. However, some people may find that using an air popper is inconvenient because it must be washed and stored after each use.
It’s helpful to know what makes popcorn pop in order to understand how an air popcorn popper works. A popcorn kernel is made up of starchy fibers that are encased in a hard outer covering called a hull. The moisture inside a popcorn kernel turns to steam when heat is applied to the outside of the kernel. This creates a tremendous amount of pressure, which eventually causes the hull to pop, releasing the trapped steam and starchy fibers.
Before the invention of popcorn poppers and microwave popcorn, the kernels were simply placed in a pan or metal basket. Lard or another type of fat was occasionally used. To keep the popcorn kernels from burning, the container holding them was placed over a heat source, such as a fire, and shaken constantly. Although effective, this method frequently resulted in the popcorn being burned.
In the nineteenth century, the first popcorn popper was invented. This popcorn popper used steam and oil to produce significantly more popcorn than previously. The first air popcorn popper, on the other hand, was not invented until the 1970s.
An air popcorn popper works by continuously blowing hot air into a cylinder that contains the popcorn kernels. This hot air not only provides the necessary heat for the popcorn to pop, but it also moves the popcorn around constantly to prevent it from burning. Air popcorn is much lighter than unpopped kernels once it has popped. This allows them to be blown up and out of the chamber, usually via a chute on the appliance’s front.
Air popcorn is generally healthier than other types of popcorn, such as microwave popcorn, because it is not heated with butter or oil. As a result, it is lower in fat and calories. Air popcorn is also less likely to burn than popcorn made in a pan because the popped kernels are not left on a hot surface for long periods of time.
However, some people may consider air popcorn to be inconvenient. After making popcorn, for example, these machines should be cleaned. They also take up valuable storage space in the cupboard or on the counter.