'Popcorn Trade Routes' presents a fascinating journey through the 6,500-year history of one of the world's most beloved snack foods, weaving together agricultural science, global commerce, and cultural anthropology.
Beginning with the discovery of ancient popcorn kernels in Peru's Moche civilization, this comprehensive work explores how a specialized corn variety evolved from a local Native American crop into a global phenomenon that influenced societies across continents. The book uniquely combines three interconnected narratives: the biological evolution of popping corn, the development of international trade routes that facilitated its spread, and the diverse cultural practices that emerged around its consumption.
Through careful analysis of archaeological findings, agricultural records, and trade documents, readers discover how specific genetic characteristics and environmental conditions contributed to the development of different popping corn strains, while maritime trade records reveal its journey from the Americas to Europe, Asia, and Africa. The narrative progresses from scientific foundations through historical distribution patterns to cultural impact, examining how different societies incorporated popcorn into their traditions — from religious ceremonies in pre-Columbian civilizations to its role in American temperance movements.
Drawing from Native American oral histories, European trade documents, and agricultural records, the book presents a meticulously researched yet accessible account that challenges common assumptions about popcorn's distribution patterns while providing new evidence for early trans-oceanic trade routes.
