Why do we eat popcorn at the movies?

  Going to the movies and having some popcorn is for many an indissoluble marriage and a gesture that has become a ritual, but where did this close relationship come from? A few weeks ago, the Smithsonian magazine reported in its publication the history of this union, whose origin began in the Great Depression of […]

 

Going to the movies and having some popcorn is for many an indissoluble marriage and a gesture that has become a ritual, but where did this close relationship come from? A few weeks ago, the Smithsonian magazine reported in its publication the history of this union, whose origin began in the Great Depression of 1929 and eventually settled definitively during World War II.

We were in the twenties, when theatres were reserved for the upper classes and still maintained a decorative style resembling an opera or a theatre. Filled with expensive lamps, fluffy carpets and other decorative objects, the businessmen did not want their rooms to be stained with any kind of food, and they tried to keep people from entering with food to their projections.

But in 1927 when the sound was introduced, the cinema was opened to all kinds of audiences. There was no need to read to go to see a movie, so with the crack of 29 and the Great Depression, the cinema was one of the few entertainment for the American population, and within this leisure outlet the only luxury that They could afford it was a cone of popcorn, which they bought at street stalls located at the entrances to the halls.

Remember that having popcorns in your party will give it a personal touch, you can try with Daiquiri Hire Melbourne, you can hire one of our popcorn machines.  We also rent many other types of machines that can help you boost any kind of celebration and make it memorable for you, your friends, relatives, co-workers, etc. Call us now!

Pop a Corn

It was in Missouri when a woman with a view to the future, Julia Braden, convinced the owners of the Linwood Theatre to allow them to put a popcorn stand inside their premises. Such was the success of his business, that in 1931 he already had four positions in different cinemas, with the consequent benefit that this brought him, more than fourteen thousand dollars of the time.

The public, with little money and enough hunger, needed to be filled with a cheap product that satiated in the long film sessions and also not cost too much, but most importantly, it also reported good benefits.

So, when the owners of the rooms noticed this flourishing business, they eliminated the intermediary vendor and started directly managing this activity, with the consequent rise in profits in the room, many of which could survive this time thanks to the sale of popcorn and other snacks.

It was in World War II when finally going to the movies was irremediably linked to the consumption of popcorn in the room. The scarcity of sugar at this time caused candy vendors to disappear when rationed, and popcorn, made with an abundant product such as corn, gained positions.

And proof of this is that when the war ended, more than half of the popcorn consumed in the United States was taken at the cinema, constituting 85% of their profits. It was 1940, the aroma of popcorn and butter was already part of the movie theatres to stay until our time.

Movie popcorn is fatter and contains more salt than two cheeseburgers

A movie evening is not usually complete without a good portion of popcorn (that’s, if money allows it, they’re not exactly cheap). The appetizer, a priori, would not have to be insane, since corn is a source of vitamins B-6 and C.

However, a new study by the group “Consensus in Action on Salt and Health” has determined that the reality is quite different. The reason? A serving of this snack may contain (depending on the size) an amount of salt equivalent to that of two hamburgers with cheese and sugar worth three cans of soda.

This study has come to further distort the popcorn that is acquired in movies, which also have many calories. Specifically, a small serving usually contains 400 calories (an amount similar to that of a cheeseburger), 750 if it is medium size and, finally, 1,200 in the case that is committed to the giant cubes offered at the doors of the big screen.

If you consider that the calorie intake recommended for an adult every day should range between 1,500 and 2,000 calories, you can see the bill that we went through “bite something” at the movies.

A dangerous amount of salt and sugar

The study has been made with samples collected in the cinemas of Lancashire (in Great Britain). The results obtained have not been worse, since they have revealed that a medium serving of popcorn can contain (depending on the establishment) between 3.1 grams and 5.1 grams of salt.

This amount is equivalent to that found in two hamburgers -with their respective chips- acquired in any fast food chain. Popcorn has reinvented itself. They have gone from being a healthy and tasty snack, to containing dangerous levels of salt.

Salt increases our blood pressure, leading to strokes and heart disease Salt reduction is one of the most effective measures to reduce the number of deaths in this regard.

The same happens with the sugar that is included in the popcorn of the cinemas. And, they usually contain an amount equivalent to what can be found in three cola drinks. In turn, this amount increases to 121 grams (about 30 teaspoons) for a serving of 200 grams in the case of the famous candy popcorn.

Here at Daiquiri Hire Melbourne we pride ourselves in offering everything you need when you need to prepare delicious cocktails and make any night an enjoyable time for everyone you invite to your party or event.

The truth is that popcorn can also work as an excellent nutritive snack, as long as the person eating it does not add too much salt to the bucket. With an approximate of 30 grams of pop corn you can easily control anxiety attacks and keep your diet balanced. A great choice!