Ask Poppy!
Ask Poppy!

Poppy at PCWelcome to the Ask Poppy! discussion forum.  Click here to register or login to join the discussion.  You may also participate without registering first but creating an account will allow you to manage your profile, subscribe to forum activity and also upload your own avatar.   

 

 

 
Science Project for School
Last Post 14 May 2010 11:36 AM by Poppy. 4 Replies.
AddThis - Bookmarking and Sharing Button Printer Friendly
Sort:
PrevPrev NextNext
Author Messages
kawkew
New Member
New Member
Posts:1

Avatar

--
07 Jan 2010 08:06 PM QuoteQuote ReplyReply  

Dear Poppy,

My name is Katherine and I am a student at Picadome Elementary in Lexington,
KY. At school, I am required to do a science experiment. My experiment this year
is about popcorn What I am trying to find out is which brand (from 5 different
brands) leaves the most kernels unpopped?

Part of the assignment is to ask an expert questions to help me with my
experiment, and I was wondering if you could answer these questions for me.

What makes popcorn pop?

Are there different types of corn used for popcorn?

Why is oil needed to pop corn on the stove?

Why should I check the date of the popcorn before buying it? Does it get old?

Where does most of the popcorn come from? What part of the country?

Thanks for your assistance!!!

Sincerely, Katherine

Poppy
Poppy Master
Poppy Master
Posts:98

Avatar

--
14 Jan 2010 04:38 PM QuoteQuote ReplyReply  
Hi Katherine,

What an exceptional science experiment choice! The fun is that you'll get to try so many different brands, all in the name of science. Lucky you!

It would be remiss of me to just tell you the answer, when they can be found on our Web site. So I'll point you in the direction of the answers and you can read them for yourself. Our "Encyclopedia Popcornica" section contains some answers (be sure to look in "Industry Facts" among others); the "For Teachers" section contains other answers (look in "From Seed to Snack" and "What Makes Popcorn Pop" sections).

The oil question is simple: the oil helps conduct heat and prevents the kernels from burning while they cook.

And popcorn doesn't necessarily get old, but it does lose moisture, which is key to maximum popability. Again, look in the "What Makes Popcorn Pop" section for more explanation.

I hope this helps. Enjoy your project!
Poppy
Francesca
New Member
New Member
Posts:3

Avatar

--
23 Mar 2010 03:55 PM QuoteQuote ReplyReply  
poppy plz right back need info about popcorn need your help
Caitlin


Posts:53

Avatar

--
29 Mar 2010 01:53 PM QuoteQuote ReplyReply  
does what is on the popcorn affect its popability ie. butter, salt ,sugar for microwave popcorn
Poppy
Poppy Master
Poppy Master
Posts:98

Avatar

--
14 May 2010 11:36 AM QuoteQuote ReplyReply  
Not necessarily. It's really the amount of moisture in the kernels which affects popability. Popcorn needs between 13.5% and 14% moisture to pop. Oftentimes when making microwave popcorn, people tend to stop the microwave too early and end up with lots of unpopped kernels.
Poppy


Quick Reply
toggle
  Username:
Subject:
Body:
Security Code:
Enter the code shown above:

Submit
Active Forums 4.2