Who Invented Popcorn? - Kettle Heroes Popcorn (2024)

Popcorn is thought to be an ancient snack that originated in the Americas; coastal regions.

There are some indications that people in the coastal regions of Peru consumed popcorn 6,700 years ago. Corn was domesticated from a wild grass in Mexico nearly 9,000 years ago and spread throughout Central and South America.

However, the first popcorn is often linked to Charles Cretors of Chicago. Cretors, who invented the mobile popcorn cart in 1885, is widely regarded as the modern-day inventor of popcorn. Charles Cretors obtained a vendors license and began selling popcorn outside his Chicago shop in December 1885.

In 1893, he came up with the first popcorn machine capable of popping corn in oil. Soon after, Cretors patented his invention. Then, he took it to the Worlds Columbian Exposition, where he introduced the popcorn machine to the public.

Who Invented Popcorn? - Kettle Heroes Popcorn (2024)

FAQs

Who invented kettle corn popcorn? ›

It's often disputed whether kettle corn originated in the 17th or 18th century - and if the sweet snack first came from German or Dutch roots. It is believed that 18th century farmers created the recipe in their cast iron pots (coated with pork fat) over an open fire.

Who originally discovered popcorn? ›

Popcorn is thought to be an ancient snack that originated in the Americas; coastal regions. There are some indications that people in the coastal regions of Peru consumed popcorn 6,700 years ago. Corn was domesticated from a wild grass in Mexico nearly 9,000 years ago and spread throughout Central and South America.

Who invented the first popcorn machine? ›

Charles Cretors, founder of C. Cretors and Company in Chicago, introduced the world's first mobile popcorn machine at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Who brought popcorn to America? ›

European explorers throughout the Americas were introduced to, and intrigued by, popcorn. Around the year 1612, early French explorers through the Great Lakes region noted that the Iroquois popped popcorn with heated sand in a pottery vessel and used it to make popcorn soup, among other things.

Why do Americans call popcorn kettle corn? ›

Kettle corn is a sweet variety of popcorn that is typically mixed or seasoned with a light-colored refined sugar, salt, and oil. It was traditionally made in cast iron kettles, hence the name, but in modern times other types of pots and pans are used.

Which is healthier kettle corn or popcorn? ›

Classic popcorn is mostly popped with oil and butter, while kettle popcorn is traditionally air-popped in an iron kettle. Regular popcorn is considered a healthy snack. While kettle popcorn has similar health benefits, you should watch the sugar.

What does popcorn mean in the Bible? ›

The parable of the popcorn

Now, the popcorn kernels represent us, diverse in our responses to God's call. Some burst early, eager to embrace His plan for their lives. These are the ones who step out from the crowd, keenly aware of God's “heat,” and joyously live out their calling with freedom and excitement.

Did Mexicans invent popcorn? ›

Popcorn has been around for thousands of years, and was first discovered in what is currently Mexico. This happened around the time corn was first domesticated. What year was the popcorn popper invented? 1893 by Charles Cretors.

Did Native Americans eat popcorn? ›

An ear of popcorn that was dated to be more than 5,600 years old was discovered in a bat cave in New Mexico more than sixty years ago. Popcorn was an important food of the Aztecs.

What is the oldest popcorn brand? ›

The American Pop Corn Company is a family owned popcorn producer. Founded in 1914, it is the oldest popcorn company in the United States. Its only brand, Jolly Time, is sold globally and in every state in America. It employs 185 people, and its headquarters are in Sioux City, Iowa.

Which US state is the largest producer of popcorn? ›

That's because in 2021, Indiana took the top spot in the nation's popcorn production.

Can dogs eat popcorn? ›

Is Eating Popcorn Safe for Dogs? Yes and no. Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not safe for your dog on a regular basis, although eating a few dropped pieces here and there probably won't hurt them.

What did popcorn used to be called? ›

In the 19th century, it was sometimes called "puffed corn" because of the puffy texture it acquired after popping. Notably, during this period, popcorn became a favorite for making sweet treats like "popcorn balls" by mixing it with sugar syrup.

Where is the birthplace of popcorn? ›

The oldest definitive evidence for popping corn was discovered in New Mexico, United States, determined to be as early as 3600 BCE, and attributed to the Ancestral Puebloan peoples, who maintained trade networks with peoples in tropical Mexico.

Who invented kettle corn? ›

In the 17th century, Dutch immigrants are said to have brought kettle corn to the shores of America and settle in Pennsylvania. This is believed to be America's introduction to kettle corn because kettle corn is referenced in the diaries of Dutch Pennsylvania settlers.

Why is kettle corn so addictive? ›

One of the reasons people enjoy kettle corn so much is its sweet flavor. The addition of sugar makes kettle popcorn very addictive, so it's no surprise that you can't stop eating it until you've finished the entire bowl.

Which indigenous group invented popcorn? ›

Archaeologists have also discovered remnants of popcorn throughout early Mesoamerica, South America, and North America, per Popcorn.org. The indigenous Iroquis people were documented popping corn kernels in heated pottery jars near the Great Lakes region in the 1600s, according to History.com.

Who invented kettle style chips? ›

Cameron Healy Founded Kettle Foods In Salem, Oregan, USA.

Kettle Foods was ticking over nicely, but it was the moment Cameron first sampled the delights of homemade potato chips on a Hawaiian beach that changed everything. Once home he immediately began experimenting with traditional chip production methods.

Is kettle corn just caramel popcorn? ›

Kettle corn is a combination of sweet and salty flavors. It is lighter in flavor and texture than caramel corn as the sugar and salt are mixed in during popping rather than coated.

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