• Question: What makes corn seeds pop into popcorn in the microwave?

    Asked by totman98 to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 14 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by elliejade.
    • Photo: Lena Ciric

      Lena Ciric answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Brilliant question! And the answer is pretty good, too.

      Corn kernels consist of a hard moisture sealed hull and a dense interior consisting mostly of starch, but also some water, oils and proteins. As the kernels are heated, the water and oils expand within the hard hull and turn into steam (the temperature get up to 180 degrees C!) and create high pressure. Under these conditions the starch inside the kernel puffs up and softens. This expansion causes the pop. The starch and protein then set in the familiar popcorn shape as they cool.

    • Photo: Laura Waters

      Laura Waters answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Lena has covered it but I do like popcorn. We often make our own and watch DVDs on a rainy Sunday!

    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Usually my wife. I just eat it when it’s ready 🙂

Comments