Which Historical Foods Do We Still Eat Today?
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Popcorn
Popcorn has been consumed for centuries in the Americas, and its origin dates back to the indigenous civilizations of Central and North America. Evidence exists that suggests popcorn was even consumed by ancient indigenous peoples, long before the arrival of Europeans to the continent.
Corn has been a fundamental crop in the diet and culture of pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas. These cultures not only grew corn as a staple food, but also considered it sacred, having used it in ceremonies and rituals.
While an exact date cannot be determined, it is estimated that popcorn has been consumed for thousands of years. Ancient indigenous peoples discovered that corn could explode or 'pop' when subjected to high temperatures, thus giving rise to the popcorn we know today!
In the 19th century, with the development of new production techniques and the invention of popcorn machines, popcorn became more accessible and began to be a popular food at movie theaters and fairs.
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