Popcorn pops because water is stored in a small circle of soft starch in each kernel. As the kernel is heated, the water heats, the droplet of moisture turns to steam and the steam builds up pressure until the kernel finally explodes to many times its original volume. Americans consume 17.3 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year. The average American eats about 68 quarts.
Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family. Almost all lettuce is packed right in the field. About 25% of all iceberg lettuce is made into fresh cut salads.
In the US in 1998, hens produced 6,657,000,000 dozen eggs – 6.657 billion dozen! After these eggs were laid, about two-thirds were sold in the shell and one third of them were broken – not be accident, but on purpose. After the eggs are broken out of their shells, they can be made into liquid, frozen, dried and specialty egg products. The egg shell may have as many as 17,000 tiny pores over its surface. Through them, the egg can absorb flavors and odors. Storing them in their cartons helps keep them fresh. Eggs age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the refrigerator.
Apples are a member of the rose family. In the winter, apple trees need to “rest” for about 900-1,000 hours below 45 degrees F in order to flower and fruit properly. If you grew 100 apple trees from the seeds of one tree, they would all be different.
