Cheesy. Caramel-covered. Plain butter.
How do you like your popcorn?
Did you know that this Saturday, Jan. 19, is National Popcorn Day?
The Popcorn Board website says while the exact date of National Popcorn Day is often disputed, with some saying that National Popcorn Day is really on the day of the Super Bowl, Jan. 19 is the one day that many agree upon.
Here are some interesting facts about popcorn, thanks to The Popcorn Board:
- Popcorn was popular during the Depression, when families could buy a bag for just 5 or 10 cents.
- Americans ate three times as much popcorn as usual during World War II because there was a shortage of sugar. The sugar was being sent overseas for the troops.
- Americans eat about 16 billion quarts of popped popcorn every year.
- Air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories per cup.
- Most of the popcorn in the United States is grown in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska and Missouri.
- There are two basic shapes of popped popcorn: snowflake (which is used largely in movie theaters) and mushroom (which is largely used for candy confections).
- Popcorn kernels can pop 3 feet in the air.
Want to enjoy some popcorn on National Popcorn Day?
Doc Popcorn, located in Westfield Hawthorn Mall and the Lake Forest Oasis, offers flavors like sweet butter, klassic kettle, cheesy cheddar, better butter, triple white cheddar, salt-n-pepper, caramel kettle, hoppin' jalapeno and sinfully cinnamon.
You could also check out , or Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut at 524 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
And if you're willing to take a longer drive to buy popcorn, why not visit one of the Garrett Popcorn Shops locations in Chicago or even Constant Cravings in Lake Geneva, WI.
Do you know of any other local places to buy popcorn? Where do you go for your favorite popcorn?
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
