ThaYou have noticed some popcorn kernels will not pop no matter how long they heat, they never seem to pop into the delicious popcorn puffs we love to enjoy, and you might be wondering why these popcorn kernels never seem to pop.
Why your popcorn will not pop is pretty simple: water. Popcorn kernels popping depends on the water content of the kernel. When a popcorn kernel heats, the water inside the kernel release steam like a tea kettle. The steam being released from the popcorn kernel puts pressure on the popcorn kernel’s hull until the pressure is too much and it explodes into the popcorn puff, which we love to snack on. Popcorn kernels will not pop if they contain too little or too much water moisture inside the kernel. The popcorn kernels which do pop have 14-15% moisture in the hull and anything less or more will cause the popcorn kernel to not explode. You can test the moisture of your popcorn by using your fingernail. If you can dent the popcorn kernel with your nail, there is too much moisture in the popcorn and if the popcorn kernel is hard and cannot be dented, there is too little moisture. The second reason some popcorn kernels do not pop is because of the popcorn hull.