Sweet, salty, caramel: popcorn is a delicacy appreciated worldwide, especially in dark rooms, which will reopen their doors next week. But where does this easy-to-make popcorn recipe come from? The first traces of this cooking technique date back to 5,000 BC, in Peru. It then spread to the United States and then to the whole world. 

The cinemas will reopen their doors on May 19, but one institution will be absent from this recovery: popcorn.

Indeed, the sales of sweets are prohibited, Covid obliges.

But where does this technique of cooking corn, which has become so delicious, come from?

From Peru, 5,000 years BC, to the Iroquois Indians in the 17th century, via the United States, the chronicler Olivier Poels, looks back on the history of this sweet or savory snack, in Historically yours, on Europe 1. History to wait before being

able to eat a little more.

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Popcorn was born long before the arrival of cinemas.

The first traces of popcorn date back to 5,000 BC.

They were detected during archaeological excavations in northern Peru.

Some peoples had already understood that the kernels of certain varieties of corn, with small hard grains, could be puffed if they were heated.

Easier to eat.

This snack will be rediscovered in the 17th century, among the Iroquois Indians.

It was one of their traditions: they put these corn kernels in iron bowls to eat them once they were puffed.

The cooking technique will spread quickly in the United States, and even in Europe.

A machine that revolutionizes the candy 

In 1891, a revolution took place: Charles Cretors invented a mobile and mobile machine that allowed them to roast peanuts, make coffee, roast chestnuts and prepare popcorn.

He presented his invention at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, where it was spotted by a businessman.

Finding the concept brilliant, he bought the license and installed it all over the United States.

Around every corner, the mouth-watering smell and smoke attract customers.  

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Popcorn meets the movies later, in the 1920s, when this distraction becomes popular and draws millions of spectators, captive and willing to spend the money on a snack before their session.

The machines will be installed at the entrance to the cinemas.

And the dark rooms will end up buying the licenses themselves and placing the popcorn machines in their establishments.

Popcorn is one of the simplest treats: you put small corn seeds to heat in a saucepan, with a tablespoon of oil.

Be careful to close the lid properly so you don't end up with popcorn everywhere.

Within minutes, all of the corn kernels exploded.

It can then be tasted sweet, salty, or flavored for the most inspired gourmets.

The recipe for oregano and parmesan popcorn

  • Ingredients

4 bowls of popcorn, already popped


1 large knob of semi-salted butter


1 tablespoon oregano


- 3 tablespoon grated Parmesan


- Salt and pepper

  • Recipe

1.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan

2.

Add oregano and Parmesan, let melt slowly

3.

Pour in the popcorn and coat well

4.

Season with salt and pepper.