Ancient popcorn mystery revealed
Researchers have solved the age-old riddle: why won't all the popcorn kernels pop!
The key popability factor, it turned out, is the kernel's cellulose hull, known as the pericarp. Chandrasekaran, a crystallographer, found that the pericarp in the better performers had a stronger crystalline structure than the pericarp in the losers. "With a better-organized crystal structure, the kernel retains moisture better," Chandrasekaran said in a telephone interview. The kernel swells as it heats up, until it finally explodes, creating popcorn. If the moisture leaks out prematurely, or the pericarp collapses, the pressure will not build, and the frustrated consumer is left with old maids.
Incidentally, I got my pyramid yesterday, and it says I should gorge myself on all the popcorn I want. Yay! If it's not drowned in salt and butter. Boo.
The key popability factor, it turned out, is the kernel's cellulose hull, known as the pericarp. Chandrasekaran, a crystallographer, found that the pericarp in the better performers had a stronger crystalline structure than the pericarp in the losers. "With a better-organized crystal structure, the kernel retains moisture better," Chandrasekaran said in a telephone interview. The kernel swells as it heats up, until it finally explodes, creating popcorn. If the moisture leaks out prematurely, or the pericarp collapses, the pressure will not build, and the frustrated consumer is left with old maids.
Incidentally, I got my pyramid yesterday, and it says I should gorge myself on all the popcorn I want. Yay! If it's not drowned in salt and butter. Boo.
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