How does a little seed turn into a fluffy white edible cloud and why??
Are there any other kinds of seeds that have the same ability?
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Popcorn is made from a type of corn that has a hard outer shell called a hull. Inside the hull is a small amount of water and a kernel of starch. When the kernel is heated, the water inside turns into steam and the pressure builds up. Eventually, the pressure gets so high that the hull explodes and the starch inside turns into fluffy white popcorn! So when you heat popcorn kernels, the steam inside the kernel makes it pop open and that’s how you get popcorn.
Other types of seeds, such as amaranth, quinoa and millet, also have the ability to pop like popcorn when heated. These seeds are sometimes used as an alternative to popcorn to make a healthy, gluten-free snack. Additionally, different types of rice can also be used to make “puffed” or “popped” rice, which is often used in cereal and snack products.
There’s water in there. It boils and pressure rises inside the shell. When the pressure is too much, the shell breaks and out comes the stuff. The sudden expansion cools down the inner grain and it re-solidifies into the fluffy stuff.
Anything with a hard shell can do this, to various degrees.
Ever heard of puffed wheat? It’s terrible.
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