Corn variety for popcorn: what they are called, cultivation and storage with photos

Among the varieties of corn, popping corn is popular. Popularly called simply popcorn, it is loved by both children and adults. This is a healthy, tasty and low-calorie product containing vitamins and microelements.

You can get such products by growing them yourself in your summer cottage. The main thing is to choose the right variety, follow the care conditions, and then heat the grains in a frying pan and eat the popcorn.

What kind of seeds should you use to make popcorn?

Corn seeds can be divided into two varieties - the sugar (or maize) variety and the popcorn variety. In order for grains to burst, they must have a small content of starch, protein and fat, a thin shell resembling a varnished surface, but tightly adjacent to the surface of the seeds.

It bursts when it is heated in a frying pan with the lid closed. Steam begins to be evenly distributed in the grains, which causes the grain to burst and shade. If the grains are ripe and stored correctly, the corn will open perfectly.

Collection and storage of corn for popcorn

If the grains are unripe and wet, they may not open when fried. Therefore, the cobs are harvested when they are fully ripe. To speed up ripening, the leaves on top can be opened slightly. Collection period is August-October.

The cobs are collected after the leaves dry

Harvest in dry, warm weather. The cobs are dried and the leaves are removed. Store the harvest in a cool, dry place. The cobs can be placed in a bag. There is no need to separate the grains, as this will reduce the shelf life of the crop.

Famous varieties for popcorn

To get your favorite popcorn, well-known popular varieties of popping corn are suitable:

Volcano. This plant has a height of up to 2 meters. It is a heat-loving crop. The grains are colored yellow. The seeds resemble grains of rice. The cobs have a maximum length of 22 cm. Each cob can yield about 120 grams of grain.
Gobble it up. It is distinguished by its small height - about 130 cm. Despite this, the crop produces a large harvest. The ears, colored yellow, have grains up to 250 grams.
Zeya. It is considered an early ripening variety. It ripens in 80 days. The grains have a dark red color. On one side they are pointed, on the other they are round.
Hotel. Also an early ripening variety. It has a number of advantages over other varieties in that it easily tolerates drought. The cobs are about 20 cm long, the grains are yellow, and the plant grows about 2 meters high.
Granddaughter's joy. The variety is early ripening. When ripe, the grains acquire an orange color, the cobs are small - about 12 cm. It grows up to 1.5 meters. The variety is valued for its high yield. But these plants are demanding when it comes to watering and fertilizing and do not tolerate drought.

Among the early varieties there are early ripening plants, the cobs of which are small, 5–10 cm. The height is also small - 120 cm. The name of this variety is Red popcorn. Attracts with excellent yield and taste.

What is special about colored varieties?

Glass Gem corn can't be eaten boiled, but it makes great popcorn.

Colored varieties of corn are becoming increasingly popular. Their main feature is unpretentiousness (purple varieties are very easy to grow) and high quality indicators (red corn grown in Peru is a record holder for the content of some useful substances).

Colored corn can be black, purple, red, rainbow, etc. Among the most famous varieties are: “Glass Gem”, “Early Pink Glow”, “Strawberry”, “Oaxacan Red”, “Mother of Pearl”, “Mini Striped” , “Miracle Red Cone”, “Bloody Butcher”, “Black Waxy Corn”, etc.

Nurturing

To make popcorn yourself, you first need to choose a variety of corn suitable for popcorn that matches natural conditions, and try to cultivate it in your garden plot.

To understand which variety is needed, the following nuances and features should be taken into account:

Corn can be planted on clay, loam, chernozem, and podzolic soils. It does not grow only on sand, this is due to the fact that corn grows high: most varieties reach 2 meters.
In order for the plant to stay in the wind, it will need to form powerful roots, but this is impossible on loose soil. It’s bad if the corn falls down, it will affect the harvest.
All varieties of corn are heat-loving plants, so it is necessary to plant the seeds when a constant temperature is established and the ground warms up to 12–15 ° C.
Growing best occurs in a place well lit by the sun.
It is desirable that the area be level.
Swampy places are not suitable. Corn does not like stagnant water after watering or rain.
It must be remembered: every year it is recommended to change the place where corn is planted, taking into account its predecessors. The location of the beds is suitable if tomatoes, potatoes, carrots and beets grew on it.
It is not recommended to plant corn in one row, as the yield will drop sharply. About 3-5 rows should be planted.
Before planting corn grains in open ground, it is recommended to soak them for a day in warm water, having previously treated them with potassium permanganate. Once they swell, it's time to sow.

It is necessary to choose a planting method, maintaining a distance of 50x50. The soil is pre-cultivated with a rake, with the addition of nitrogen fertilizers. You will need to pull out all the weeds, water the holes, then plant 3 grains in each hole, deepening it by 2-3 cm and covering it with soil.

To prevent the soil from drying out, you can cover the holes with plastic caps made from transparent bottles. It is recommended to wait about 12 days for seedlings.

After the popcorn corn grows, the strongest of the three plants is selected, and the rest are removed.

Features of growing and caring for crops

The main stages of growing corn for popcorn are identical to caring for a conventional crop. However, there are still some features:

slow development of the root system;
the need for constant weeding;
correct choice of soil.

This type of corn is planted in early May. The seed or seedling method is suitable. The distance between neighboring plants should be at least half a meter. Another condition for obtaining a good harvest is compliance with the rules of crop rotation. You can’t plant it in one place for several years. The best predecessor is nightshade crops.

Important: to avoid cross-pollination, you should not plant two varieties of corn next to each other: for popcorn and for regular consumption.

To grow corn for popcorn, several conditions must be met:
Harrow the area before planting.
Cultivate between rows at least three times per season.
If necessary, carry out regular watering.
Periodically feed the plants with mineral fertilizers.

Granddaughter's joy

In retail you can find popcorn in the form of a semi-finished product. Just throw it into a frying pan and fry. This is an absolute advantage. However, very often it contains many harmful substances. Therefore, it is best to grow such corn on your own plot. Harvesting begins after the ears have fully ripened. At the stage of milk maturity, it will not make popcorn. After harvesting, the grain is dried for about a month in a dry and cool place and then stored in cotton or paper bags. Just like raw, overdried grains are difficult to burst when frying. The problem can be solved by leaving them in a damp place for a week. These are the main features of choosing and growing corn for popcorn on a farm. If you take them into account, you can get a wonderful harvest of ripe cobs and enjoy popcorn all winter.

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Care

If the weather is favorable, corn is easy to care for, especially if you plant varieties that are tolerant of drought conditions. Such plants will only need water once a week, while moisture-loving plants, such as Granddaughter's Joy, require almost daily watering.

To obtain a large harvest, it is recommended to feed the plants, and for this you need to know which fertilizers are best to apply:

After the corn sprouts, feed with organic fertilizers 3-4 times a month.
When “panicles” appear, nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers will be needed.
When the formation of cobs begins, it is advisable to apply nitrogen-potassium fertilizers.

Benefits and harms

Popcorn

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The corn from which popcorn is made contains a large number of useful substances, such as:

Fast carbohydrates.
Vitamins of groups B1 and B2.
Microelements.
Antioxidants.

They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive tract, the condition of the skin, hair and nails, as well as the heart and blood vessels. However, you should not overuse this dish. This can lead to breathing problems and weight gain.

How to harvest and store crops?

The cobs should be collected only when they are dry; if you collect them raw earlier, the popping ability of the corn when making popcorn will decrease. To speed up ripening, it is recommended to open the cobs during its growth, exposing the grains, but tearing off the “clothes” is not recommended.

After collection, it is important to know how to store it properly. A cool, ventilated room is most suitable for cobs. It is very important that it is dry. Dried cobs are placed in a fabric bag or mesh for storage; it is not recommended to separate the grains.

Cooking popcorn and its properties for the body

The easiest way to make popcorn is to heat the grains in a frying pan or other suitable container. To prepare large portions of popcorn, special devices are used:

a popcorn machine equipped with a heating plate - its operating principle is to constantly stir and heat the grains. Thanks to the continuous movement of the popcorn, it hardly burns;
a unit that operates on hot air - its operating principle is similar to that of a hair dryer. Hot air is supplied from below, and the grains that burst in such a unit fly out through a special hole into the popcorn container;
a special cauldron with a handle - popcorn was prepared on a device with a similar principle of operation a hundred years ago. Such a boiler has several disadvantages: the danger of burning grains and high consumption of oil for frying.

Before cooking, it is recommended to place the grains in the freezer for 1.5-2 hours, and after removing them from the freezer, immediately place them on a hot frying pan. This will make it possible to achieve a sharp temperature difference, and, accordingly, rapid and powerful rupture of grains.

Cooked corn must be quickly removed from the pan, first removing it from the heat. You need to pour 1-2 tablespoons of oil into the frying pan and tilt it in different directions several times so that all the grains are covered with an oil film.

Popcorn has a fairly good yield when cooked - one handful of kernels yields a large bowl of finished product. Sprinkle the cooked popcorn with powdered salt or powdered sugar. It is better not to use all kinds of chemical seasonings.

When cooking in the microwave, the beans are poured into a paper bag, sealed and placed in the oven. There are dishes that were specially designed for cooking popcorn in the microwave, which can withstand the required temperature. This product is cooked at 200 degrees, and if you use a container that is not designed for such temperature loads, it will most likely be damaged.

How to make popcorn at home?

Making popcorn is much easier than cooking any dish. To do this, you need to prepare a frying pan, preferably a cast iron and gas stove. To make caramel popcorn you will need:

corn kernels, about 1/4 cup;
2 tablespoons vegetable oil;
granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon.

To prepare, take a dry frying pan, pour vegetable oil into it, cover with a lid and heat on the stove. Then pour in the corn kernels, granulated sugar and be sure to cover with a lid.

Once the contents of the frying pan have warmed up well, you can hear the grains begin to open. As soon as everything calms down, it is best to pour the contents of the frying pan into a deep plate so that the caramel does not start to burn.

To get popcorn with powdered sugar, you need to prepare approximately the same amount of popcorn grains, vegetable oil, but cook popcorn without adding sugar. After the popcorn is cooked, pour it into a bowl and sprinkle powdered sugar on top, stirring well. You can also add salt: to suit the taste of the lovers.

Popcorn is considered a nutritious food that promotes satiety. Those who are watching their weight should remember that this is a low-calorie product. It is prepared from special varieties of corn that can be grown in your own garden. There are no particular difficulties in growing grains: the main thing is to let the corn ripen well before harvesting the cobs. Store in a fabric, well-breathable bag.

Tips and tricks

There are some tips that will help in the future:

Dry beans that have not burst are best stored in a closed container in the freezer.
Some grains are overdried and therefore do not burst. Soak them overnight in cold water. Then dry thoroughly.
To prevent the popcorn from getting soggy, remove the lid as soon as it's ready to prevent condensation from forming in the bowl and water droplets falling onto the kernels.
It is better to mix popcorn with seasoning by first mixing the kernels with butter. It would be better to place salt or sugar on a moistened surface.

How to make popcorn from young corn. Nutritional value

It is generally accepted that popcorn is a high-calorie food, which makes it unsuitable for diet. This is actually misleading, as 100 grams of roasted grains contain only 300 calories. In terms of nutrients, three quarters of them are carbohydrates, the remaining share is divided between fats and proteins. Popcorn made from regular corn contains slightly more calories than popcorn made from wild corn. The energy value of this dish is up to 520 calories. Popcorn also contains iron, riboflavin and thiamine, but the main component beneficial to the body is fiber, which makes up approximately 15 percent of the total weight of the product.

Popcorn in its traditional form does not contain harmful substances and is ideal for dieting. It’s another matter when spices or oil are added to a dish, then you definitely can’t expect any benefits, and it can hardly be called low-calorie. Some people make popcorn for dessert by mixing it with sugar or syrup. The energy value of such a dish can reach up to 900 calories per 100 grams. It is allowed to fry the grains in butter or as it withstands heat treatment well

It is important that the cooking utensils are always covered with a lid. To heat the grains evenly, shake the pan (saucepan) slightly, if possible.

And don’t forget: the more oil, the higher the calorie content and the lower the vitamin value of the dish.

Corn selection

Not all types of grains are suitable for preparing an airy delicacy. Corn for popcorn should preferably be from wild, uncultivated varieties, where the grains have a durable shell that can withstand high temperatures. An ordinary crop intended for cooking will not be suitable, as it will quickly burst without reaching the required degree of roasting. This is one of the main reasons why homemade popcorn may fail.

You can also purchase ready-made special grains for dry popcorn. The contents of the package can be easily and quickly prepared in a microwave oven, or in a dry frying pan. You just need to follow the instructions indicated on the pack itself.

What kind of popcorn should you eat?

Corn grains, prepared without harmful additives and an abundance of spices, sugar and salt, are rather a healthy product. It contains B vitamins and polyphenols, which help the body tissues maintain youth. A large amount of fiber helps fight excess weight and also cleanses the intestines.

The dangers of popcorn that tastes too sweet or salty are undeniable. This product should be consumed in small doses and very rarely. In addition, after using it you are very thirsty. Large amounts of liquid can cause swelling, especially if it is sweet soda. Such nutrition is the first step to obesity and diabetes.

Corn for popcorn: what kind do you need? How to do it?

Puffed corn (popcorn) is loved by both adults and children. Who hasn't walked through the park, or sat in the cinema with a big bucket of popcorn?

But, unfortunately, manufacturers often add harmful additives, and nutritionists recommend preparing this delicacy exclusively from homemade corn at home.

General history information

The origins of making popcorn go back to the North American Indians. They were the first to discover that some varieties of maize (wild corn) begin to burst when heated.

Different types of corn for popcorn

What kind of corn is suitable for popcorn?

Not every variety is suitable for preparing this delicacy. Corn seeds, suitable for making popcorn, have a drop of water containing starch inside.

Under the influence of high temperature (in the microwave or in a frying pan), the water heats up and turns into steam, which becomes cramped inside the grain.

The pressure on the walls of the grain becomes unbearable and the steam bursts it from the inside.

Fun fact: Popcorn grains contain 21% more fat and protein than regular cereal grains. The composition of this cereal is similar to wheat.

The best varieties for popcorn

Among the wide variety of types of corn, there are several of the most proven and popular:

corn for popcorn “Vulcan”

“

"Volcano". It grows up to 200 cm, the length of the cob is about 20 cm. The grains are light, oblong. One of the most disease-resistant varieties.
“Gobble, gobble.” Mid-early variety. Relatively low stem, about one and a half meters. The grains are orange and wide.
"Zeya." One of the most spectacular varieties of corn. It has grains of a rich burgundy color. Early variety. The stem is up to 180 cm. The length of the cob is about 20-25 cm.
"Ping pong". A tall plant, grows up to 220 cm. It produces a large number of small (120-150 mm) cobs with oblong-shaped grains.
"Hotel." Drought-resistant variety that tolerates heat well. Tall stems reach 230 cm. Heads of cabbage are large, up to 25 cm.
"Granddaughter's joy." A very productive, early ripening variety, which, however, requires frequent watering. Resistant to diseases. It grows low (150 cm) and has small heads of cabbage (12-15 cm).
"Red." A very beautiful variety with ears of deep red color. Grows up to 150 cm with small heads of cabbage. Very popular and decorative.

Growing corn for popcorn

Growing this cereal is no different from growing regular corn. It should be remembered that the rhizome develops extremely slowly, does not like sandy soils, and the plant itself is oppressed by grass.

It is advisable to plant corn for popcorn no earlier than May, because... The plant is very thermophilic. Approximate planting pattern: 50×50 cm, 40×60 cm, 30×70 cm. One or two grains are placed in the prepared hole.

Corn cultivation

It is better to plant this cereal in the place where nightshades grew before.

When growing corn for popcorn, it is necessary to highlight several of the most important factors:

Harrowing the beds before planting.
Inter-row cultivation (about three times during the growing season).
Regular watering (at least once a week).
Mineral feeding through the root system.

Popcorn making technology

Popcorn is most often sold as a semi-finished product with various flavors and sweeteners. The manufacturer carefully packages it in bags and you just need to put it in the microwave or oven.

But, having home-grown popping corn at home, you can not depend on the tastes of the manufacturer, but experiment yourself!

Cooking popcorn in the microwave:

Pour oil into prepared dishes.
Add grains and stir.
Smooth over the bottom of the dish.
Cover with a lid and microwave for 3-4 minutes.Steps for making popcorn

Cooking on the stove:

Pour oil into a container with a tight lid and heat it up.
Sprinkle the grains in one layer and mix.
Close the lid.
When the grains begin to burst, remove from heat and leave so that all of them open.

To create an amazing taste, add 2-3 pinches of sea salt, powdered sugar, vanilla, pepper, caramel... to the hot treat.

Important: before cooking, cool the grains for 20 minutes in the freezer. This way they will open up better

Explosion of grains and voila popcorn is ready or how everything is possible

Why does corn explode?

We all know corn, it doesn’t surprise anyone, but you shouldn’t fry it and expect popcorn, since only certain varieties are capable of this feat. Seriously, yes, there are different varieties of corn for popcorn, this is not some rare species, we will tell you their names below. The difference is that inside the grain there is a drop of water, it contains starch. The reaction is very simple - during heat treatment, or, more simply, when you heat the grains, the water transforms into steam, expands and is crowded inside, and, yes, a typical explosion occurs. By the way, the walls of popcorn varieties are thinner than regular ones.

All thanks to the water in the composition

It's that simple. And you can grow a crop on your own plot, it’s easy to do, harvest it and prepare this snack or dessert for the whole family. The main thing is that the product will be environmentally friendly, and therefore healthy. After all, like many gifts of nature, corn also has its own nutritional composition that we need - vitamins, minerals, fiber. At the same time, it is suitable for children, adults, and those losing weight.

How to cook

A couple of hours before cooking, you need to put the grain in the freezer. It should be removed when the pan is already hot. A sudden change in temperature will cause the corn to burst quickly. A little oil is poured into the frying pan, which is distributed over the entire surface of the dish so that all the corn is covered with a small layer of oil. Homemade popcorn should be quickly poured into bowls to prevent it from burning.

Important! You need to act carefully, because popping corn can fly all over the kitchen. This is a very economical product. After all, from a small handful of grains you get a whole mountain of airy delicacy

The corn is ready, just sprinkle it with fine salt or powdered sugar and you can enjoy its taste. The calorie content of such a dish is quite high, so you shouldn’t get carried away with it, especially for people who care about their health.

After all, from a small handful of grains you get a whole mountain of airy delicacy. The corn is ready, just sprinkle it with fine salt or powdered sugar and you can enjoy its taste. The calorie content of such a dish is quite high, so you shouldn’t get carried away with it, especially for people who care about their health.

This is a very economical product. After all, from a small handful of grains you get a whole mountain of airy delicacy. The corn is ready, just sprinkle it with fine salt or powdered sugar and you can enjoy its taste. The calorie content of such a dish is quite high, so you shouldn’t get carried away with it, especially for people who care about their health.

Corn does not explode: what to do?

There are several reasons why corn kernels do not explode:

the grains are overdried;
the cobs are unripe if they were picked too early;
corn does not explode from excess moisture if it was stored incorrectly;
corn was pollinated with varieties unsuitable for making popcorn;
The simplest reason is that the temperature or heating power is too low.

Mistakes are made when storing corn or growing it, all of which are described above. To prepare a good dish, just follow the tips. The main thing is to love popcorn and cook with love.