The Aztecs who inadvertently introduced
popcorn to the world as a result of the Spanish invasion. When
Columbus first interacted with the Arawak tribe, he was given a
popcorn corsage. Believed to be a key component in the foundation of
their empire, popcorn played a large role in Aztec culture. It was
often made into necklaces or headdresses, and it was commonly used
to decorate religious statues. One Aztec ritual involved throwing a
whole ear of un-popped popcorn into a fire as a sacrifice to the
gods. They referred to the kernels which came out as 'hailstones'.
Some archaeologists believe that popcorn was actually the first form
of corn ever cultivated, with evidence of its existence dating to
the Anasazi tribe of Utah, who arose around 350 B.C. Using seed
selection, an agricultural process to determine the healthiest
future crop, Native Americans are thought to have developed the crop
almost 5,000 years ago.