why does popcorn pop

Why popcorn pops

This text will be telling you how and why popcorn pops.

Popcorn has a very different shell to normal corn. Popcorn has a hard shell which is called a hull where normal corn has a softshell. A popcorn kernel pops from the pressure that builds up in the hull But for this to happen you have to heat it up in the microwave, pan or popcorn maker. This pressure is made up of all the moisture being heated. When there is moisture in the kernel and it gets heated up the moisture turns into steam. When enough steam builds up the kernel goes pop!. It pops because there is nowhere for the steam to go. It has to escape so it breaks through the hull (shell). When it goes pop! all the white stuff explodes out. now there's some ready to eat popcorn kernels.

All that white stuff is starch that the kernel eats.