Today, January 19, is popcorn day! The Popcorn Board, an alliance of popcorn companies in the United States, has no information on the origins of the day, stating, “Some other individual or organization (with obvious good taste) began this tradition.” There’s some speculation that it may have started with the first Super Bowl in 1967.
Popcorn is a New World food, first cultivated by indigenous peoples in both North and South America. Archaeologists believe that popcorn was first domesticated about 9,000 years ago in Mexico. In 1948, anthropologist Herbert Dick and botanist Earle Smith discovered 5,600 year old kernels of popcorn in the Bat Cave of west central New Mexico. Today, popcorn is the official snack food of Illinois.
Magically, corn corresponds to the sun, so popcorn might be a nice snack to enjoy for a solstice celebration. Some sources believe that shouting financial or love wishes popcorn is popping will make these desires come to you. Cornsilk is considered a very powerful ingredient when added to love spells, designed to attract the person you desire. Read more about the magic of corn.
How can you celebrate popcorn day? Try the activities and recipes below!
The Popcorn Board: 10 Popcorn Day Activities
Food Network: 50 Flavored Popcorn Recipes
