National Peanut Brittle Day is observed on January 26th. A hard, flat candy confection, peanut brittle is enjoyed throughout the United States.
Peanut Brittle includes caramelized sugar or corn syrup. Nuts are added to the molten sugar and then poured onto a flat surface such as granite or marble and smoothed into a thin sheet. The candy cools into a hard, brittle treat that is broken into smaller pieces. Some of the best brittles are hand-stretched into a thin, easily cracked candy that melts in the mouth.
The history of peanut brittle is uncertain, though one legend says it was all a mistake. The story goes that a southern woman was making taffy and instead of using cream of tartar, she used baking soda by accident.
Make up a batch of peanut brittle to share with that person you just know loves it. Since the candy keeps well, give it as a gift. You might also teach someone to make your favorite recipe, passing on the tradition.
On January 19th, National Popcorn Day pops onto the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night.
This time-honored snack can be sweet or savory, caramelized, buttered or plain, molded into a candied ball, or tossed with nuts and chocolate. However it is enjoyed, enjoy it on National Popcorn Day, January 19th.
The word “corn” in Old English meant “grain” or, more specifically, the most prominent grain grown in a region. When Native Americans introduce their most common grain, maize, to early Europeans, they aptly applied the word “corn.”Advertisement
As early as the 16th century, the Aztecs used popcorn in headdresses worn during ceremonies honoring Tlaloc, their god of maize and fertility. Early Spanish explorers were fascinated by the corn that burst into what looked like a white flower.
Popcorn started becoming popular in the United States in the middle 1800s. It wasn’t until Charles Cretors, a candy-store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam that the tasty treat became more abundantly poppable. By 1900 he had horse-drawn popcorn wagons going through the streets of Chicago.
At about the same time, Louise Ruckheim added peanuts and molasses to popcorn to bring Cracker Jack to the world. Then in 1908, the national anthem of baseball was born. Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote Take Me out to the Ballgame. From that point onward, popcorn, specifically Cracker Jack, became forever married to the game.
Another romance connected to popcorn may have had a slow start but eventually took off. Today, who can imagine going to the movies without getting a box of buttered popcorn? While popcorn was an economical choice for snack food, the expense of installing a machine and adequately venting the building didn’t seem worth the effort. If it weren’t for Glen W. Dickson, we would be purchasing our popcorn from a vendor on the street before taking in the show. Dickson put in the effort and expense of placing machines inside his theaters. After realizing how quickly he recouped his costs, other theater owners followed suit.
The microwave oven spurred the next big advancement for popcorn. With the invention of the microwave, a whole new market opened for the snack food. Magnetrons, a technology produced by Raytheon Manufacturing Corporation for the military during World War II, were later used to develop microwave ovens. Percy Spencer was the man who made it happen. He used popcorn in his initial experiments during the microwave’s development.
Today, Americans consume 13 billion quarts of popcorn a year, more than any other country in the world. A majority of the popcorn produced in the world is grown in the United States. Nebraska leads the corn belt in popcorn production.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPopcornDay
Pop your favorite popcorn and share a bowl with a friend. Please take a photo and share it on social media using #NationalPopcornDay.
Each year on April 6th, National Caramel Popcorn Day conjures up memories of fairs, sporting events, and fun snacking.
In January, we celebrated National Popcorn Day. Now, we add delicious caramel popcorn to the calendar, one of America’s favorite snacks. For many people, this chewy or crunchy caramel popcorn treat is an all-time favorite.
Combining popcorn and molasses began in the early 1800s. However, caramel was prevalent as well, and with the production of Cracker Jack, the popularity was ever-increasing. Invented by Frederick Rueckheim, the popcorn merchant dabbled with creating a new snack. An immigrant from Germany to Chicago, he enlisted his brother, Louis, to help. After adding molasses and nuts, their snack was ready for an introduction to the masses.
Like many famous foods, Cracker Jack gained popularity on the stage of the 1893 World’s Fair. Other foods to grab the public’s attention at similar expositions include cotton candy and the ice cream cone. While they weren’t invented there, nor did they make their debut, they sure did capture the imagination and make a lasting impression there.
However, in 1908, something happened to connect Cracker Jack and baseball permanently in the American psyche, while also launching the business into high gear. A young entertainer by the name of Jack Norworth penned a catchy tune referencing Cracker Jack and the American pastime. The song “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” not only caused sales of the snackfood to soar but the fans of the game continue to sing the song at every game.
There are many commercial brands and forms of caramel corn available in grocery stores, cinemas, and convenience stores. There are also specialty brands available in stores, gift catalogs, and online.
Enjoy your favorite kind of caramel popcorn. If you’re making some, don’t forget to make extra for others, too. The bigger the batch, the better. We even have a recipe for you to try. Stop by your favorite treat shop and pick up some caramel corn. While you’re there, give them a shout out, too. It’s a great way to support small businesses.
Another fun way to celebrate is by singing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” and watching one on TV. Tune into an old game until the season starts up again.
