Along with tiny rock-like fragments called phytoliths, archaeologists have been able to piece together the origin story.
It all started down in Mexico around 9,000 years ago with a grass-like plant called teosinte.
The ancestors of Native Americans gathered the starchy seeds of teosinte as a food source.
The world’s first popcorn likely popped by chance when some maize kernels fell into a cooking fire.
Suddenly there were these mysteriously puffed-up corn bits that seemed to keep longer than regular corn.
And an ancient snack was born.
Of course, there was no butter or salt to be found back then.
The early popcorn fans likely enjoyed their crispy puffed corn quite plain and at room temperature.
Compared to regular corn, popcorn naturally has more fiber and fewer carbs when popped.
Image credit:Jesse Gardner
