Popcorn: A Delicious History That Goes Back Thousands of Years

Popcorn is made from a specific variety of maize (Zea mays everta) that pops when heated because moisture trapped inside the kernel rapidly expands. While maize was first domesticated in southern Mexico around 9,000 years ago, the earliest confirmed evidence of popcorn being popped and eaten comes from archaeological sites in northern Peru, dated to approximately 6,700 years ago, where researchers found corn cobs and husks showing signs of popping and heat exposure.
Bottom line: popcorn is an ancient food with Indigenous American origins, evolving from early maize cultivation into a snack enjoyed worldwide today.

Who invented popcorn?

Popcorn was not invented by a single person; it was developed and eaten by Indigenous cultures across the Americas, thousands of years before European contact (Dillehay et al., Science, 2012).

Where did popcorn originate?

Maize was first domesticated in southern Mexico around 9,000 years ago, while the earliest confirmed evidence of popped corn comes from archaeological sites in northern Peru dated to about 6,700 years ago (Dillehay et al., Science, 2012; Smithsonian National Museum of American History).

How old is popcorn?

Archaeological remains show popcorn has been consumed for at least 6,000–7,000 years, based on corn cobs and husks with heat-related popping damage (Dillehay et al., Science, 2012).

What type of corn is used to make popcorn?

Popcorn comes from a specific variety of maize called Zea mays everta, which has a hard outer shell that allows pressure to build until the kernel pops when heated (USDA National Plant Germplasm System).

How did people pop popcorn before modern machines?

Before modern equipment, popcorn was popped by heating kernels in pottery vessels, on hot stones, or in heated sand, methods documented in archaeological and museum records (Smithsonian National Museum of American History).

Author: Mariana Malpartida

Last updated: January 2026