Popcorn & Piers this Weekend in California
Have you had any popcorn lately? This weekend is the time to celebrate popcorn, kettle corn, caramel corn and flavors beyond imagination. National Popcorn Day is usually celebrated through the week surrounding Jan. 19, and the Orange County Market Place in Cost Mesa pays homage to the event this weekend with their annual popcorn celebrations that includes the corny Kaptain Kernel, stiltwalkers, and free popcorn Saturday & Sunday (Jan. 21-22, 2012). ocmarketplace.com
Meanwhile, San Franisco’s Pier 39 is celebrating the return of the Sea Lions with their annual Arrival of the Sea Lions, Jan. 19 – 22, 2012. Sea Lion Encounter, a walk and talk tour starts on the hour from 11am – 4pm. Hosted by Aquarium of the Bay and The Marine Mammal Center Naturalists, the tours begin at the Sea Lion Statue near Pier 39 Entrance Plaza, and last approximately 30 minutes. pier39.com. Other events at Pier 39 coming up include the annual Tulipmania in February!
A few events this weekend in California:
- Blythe Bluegrass Festival Jan 20 – 22, 2012. Artist Lineup Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Audie Blaylock & Redline The Special Consensus The Spinney Brothers IIIrd Generation Bluegrass John Reischman & The Jaybirds Highway 65 Pine Mountain Railroad The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band Lonesome Otis Just 4 Fun. Colorado River Fairgrounds. blythebluegrass.com
- Mendocino Crab and Wine Days, January 20 -29. Dungeness Crab and Premier Wines are served at a variety of events and venues. visitmendocino.com
- Los Angeles Affordable Art Fair 2012 January 19 – 22, 2012. Art Trends General Admission: L.A. Live, 1005 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA affordableartfair.us
- Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival. Chocolate tastings from more than 30 area vendors, live jazz, gift items for sale. Tasting tickets sold at the door and by local businesses. $15 tickets, admission free. Location: Cocoanut Grove, Santa Cruz, CA | 831.423.2053. santacruzchocolatefestival.org (see more chocolate festivals)
Here are some popcorn facts:
- Americans consume 16 billion quarts of popcorn, or 51 quarts per man, woman, and child.
- Air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories per cup. Oil-popped is only 55 per cup.
- Of the 6 types of maize corn—pod, sweet, flour, dent, flint, and popcorn–only popcorn pops.
- Popcorn is a whole grain. It is made up of three components: the germ, endosperm, and pericarp (also know as the hull).
- Popcorn needs between 13.5-14% moisture to pop.
- Most popcorn comes in two basic shapes when it’s popped: snowflake and mushroom. Snowflake is used in movie theaters and ballparks because it looks and pops bigger. Mushroom is used for candy confections because it doesn’t crumble.
- Popping popcorn is one of the number one uses for microwave ovens. Most microwave ovens have a “popcorn” control button.
- There is no such thing as “hull-less” popcorn. All popcorn needs a hull in order to pop. Some varieties of popcorn have been bred so the hull shatters upon popping, making it appear to be hull-less.
