Microwave Popcorn: What Storage Method Pops the Most Kernels?
Microwave Popcorn: What Storage Method Pops The Most Kernels? Mark B. Houser
Western Governors University
Integrated Science
December 20, 2012
Microwave Popcorn: What Storage Method Pops The Most Kernels?
Most packaged perishable food products come with an expiration date. In order to extend the life of the product we might freeze, refrigerate, or can it if possible. Popcorn is one of those items that my family has used the freezing process to extend its utility. One thing that I did not consider until recently was how the freezing process affects the outcome of the popped corn.
The scientific experiment that I have chosen is, “Does freezing or refrigerating popcorn kernels affect the outcome of the popped corn?” To conduct this experiment I will use microwave popcorn consisting of six 2.7 ounce packages. I will place two bags each in the freezer and refrigerator, and the remaining two bags at room temperature for 24 hours.
The next step of the experiment will be the cooking of the popcorn. The microwave oven that will be used for this experiment recommends cooking the 2.7 ounce bags of popcorn for two minutes 15 seconds which is the cooking time I will use.
The final process will be to count the number of uncooked kernels from each bag which should tell me whether freezing or refrigerating the popcorn has any effect on the popcorn.
The independent variable will be the temperature of the popcorn as it begins the popping process. The controlled variable will be the microwave oven, popcorn, and cooking time. The dependent variable will be the number of uncooked kernels remaining in each bag of popcorn.
The popcorn that I will be using for the experiment is “Fit&Active” microwave popcorn distributed by Aldi Grocery Stores. This product consists of six 2.7 ounce bags of microwave popcorn with an expiration date of April 5, 2015.
The reason that I chose this experiment was to see if different storage temperatures of the popcorn affect the number of
Western Governors University
Integrated Science
December 20, 2012
Microwave Popcorn: What Storage Method Pops The Most Kernels?
Most packaged perishable food products come with an expiration date. In order to extend the life of the product we might freeze, refrigerate, or can it if possible. Popcorn is one of those items that my family has used the freezing process to extend its utility. One thing that I did not consider until recently was how the freezing process affects the outcome of the popped corn.
The scientific experiment that I have chosen is, “Does freezing or refrigerating popcorn kernels affect the outcome of the popped corn?” To conduct this experiment I will use microwave popcorn consisting of six 2.7 ounce packages. I will place two bags each in the freezer and refrigerator, and the remaining two bags at room temperature for 24 hours.
The next step of the experiment will be the cooking of the popcorn. The microwave oven that will be used for this experiment recommends cooking the 2.7 ounce bags of popcorn for two minutes 15 seconds which is the cooking time I will use.
The final process will be to count the number of uncooked kernels from each bag which should tell me whether freezing or refrigerating the popcorn has any effect on the popcorn.
The independent variable will be the temperature of the popcorn as it begins the popping process. The controlled variable will be the microwave oven, popcorn, and cooking time. The dependent variable will be the number of uncooked kernels remaining in each bag of popcorn.
The popcorn that I will be using for the experiment is “Fit&Active” microwave popcorn distributed by Aldi Grocery Stores. This product consists of six 2.7 ounce bags of microwave popcorn with an expiration date of April 5, 2015.
The reason that I chose this experiment was to see if different storage temperatures of the popcorn affect the number of
References: Anonymous. (2007, September 15). Does freezing unpopped popcorn make it pop fuller and fresher? Retrieved from The Straight Dope Science Advisory Board: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1546/does-freezing-unpopped-popcorn-make-it-pop-fuller-and-fresher Anonymous. (2012, February). Will frozen popcorn pop more kernels than room temperature popcorn. Retrieved from The Straight Dope: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Will_frozen_popcorn_pop_more_kernels_than_room_temperature_popcorn Boyd, S. (n.d.). The Jawbreakers of the Popcorn Industry. Retrieved December 31, 2012, from Science Essays/Projects: http://home.ptd.net/~sequoia1/Science/popcorn.htm DeLap, K., Galli, B., Saum, J., & Skinner, K. (2003, January 12). Popcorn and College Students. Retrieved December 31, 2012, from JRC Science Projects: http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/nsfall01/FinalArticles/PopcornandCollegeStudents.html Lin, Y., & Anantheswaran, R. (2006, August 25). Studies on Popping of Popcorn in a Microwave Oven. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ Mason, T. (2011, January 3). Which Microwave Popcorn Gives the Most POP for Your Buck? Retrieved December 31, 2012, from Share your voice on Yahoo websites: http://voices.yahoo.com/which-microwave-popcorn-gives-most-pop-your-7479224.html?cat=46