Buzz

Someone out there is bound to think this is stupid, but what the hey…<BR><BR>I’ve been reading posts about good items to take along as gifts when visiting other lands. I’m going to England (and France) in a few weeks and had been wracking my tired, little cerebellum about what to take to my friends there, hopefully something that speaks particularly of my home state, Kanzas. <BR><BR>Recently I was in a specialty shop and, right before my bloodshot eyes, was the answer, popcorn! Uncooked, “Indian” style (multi-colored) popcorn with the “From the Land of Ah’s” label, sunflower, meadow lark, the whole bit.<BR><BR>Then it occurred to me, almost every culture has it’s own specialized foods and treats and, while popcorn is common here, is it common there? I’ve been to England more than a few times and I’ve never noticed seeing popcorn anywhere except, perhaps, the cinema, and I’m not even too sure about that. I’ve certainly never had it offered to me in someone’s home and I don’t recall ever seeing it served with suds in the local pub.<BR><BR>Since popcorn is a dish indigenous to the America’s, maybe it’s not such a absurd question. By the by, this is not microwave popcorn, but the old-fashioned stuff that requires a popper. Anyone out there have any words of wisdom, hmmm? Do people “pop” popcorn in their homes in Europe? Is a “popper” a standard kitchen utensil like it is (still) in the Midwest? Inquiring minds want to know.<BR>

Ruth

I don't think it's a stupid question!<BR><BR>In the UK, popcorn is found in almost all cinemas, fairgrounds etc, but it's fairly rarely made at home. I remember my Mum making popcorn at home, but she just used a heavy pan with a lid - what is a "popper"? I think that multicolored corn would be a good gift if it can be "popped" without special equipment - I've not seen that here. Makes me think I should try it myself!

Sue

Buzz, I think that is a genius idea (especially with the accompanying decorations), though I might buy a package first and try it out to see if it's decent. Like Ruth's mom, we used to pop corn in a heavy pan with a coating of oil, shaking it over pretty high heat so it doesn't burn.

Leslie

I can't stomach the odor of popcorn, but I do like to eat it. That's probably why I only go to the movies every 10 years or so. Since the popcorn aroma lingers in the air for too long when using a microwave, I still pull out the heavy frying pan. Unless the popcorn says only for microwave use or an air popper, it can be made on the stove.

cd

Buzz<BR>I think that's a great question. For those of you "in the know" what about microwave popcorn for those in Ireland? Would it be a treat?

joe-g

Buzz:<BR><BR>Too bad you can't stash a bunch of good 'ole ribs or barbeque in your bags. Off the top of my head, that's what I think of as "KANSAS" and is certainly unique among foods you'll find in England & France.

KT

Over the holidays I visited an American friend in a provincial city in Italy who's married to an Italian, and I can report that her Italian inlaws love popcorn. They (the inlaws) have an electric popper. I don't think that this is something my friend introduced them to in an act of cultural imperialism -- I'm pretty sure they were aficionados before they knew her. I also went to a party where popcorn was among the refreshments.

PB

Interestingly enough, they do eat popcorn here in France... but they usually don't 'pop their own'. They buy it already popped and packaged (yuck) and prefer it sweetened with sugar as opposed to with butter and salt.<BR><BR>Microwave popcorn is catching on though and you can find that in many stores here.<BR><BR>PB

Tony Hughes

Mum used to use a big pan to pop the corn, great listening to the kernels popping, the anticipation was something else.<BR><BR>Alas nowadays it's microwave nonsense. I only ever eat it at the cinema [sans butter].

curiouzzzz

where iz Kanzas? iz thiz a zilly queztion? or iz thiz a buzzzzword? thankzzzz.

BUZZ

<BR>Thanks, everyone, for your help and input!<BR><BR>We have an old-fashioned “popper” which is something like a deep saucepan. The lid has a cranking device that turns a paddle inside the pot to keep the kernels moving and, hopefully, not scorching. The one I have is probably 50-60 years old, I reckon, and though it was once shiny it is now as black as can be.<BR><BR>They still make the things as a friend of mine got one as a Christmas gift, though it’s a bit more “modern” than mine, the same principle is used.<BR><BR>Oh, Curiouzzzz, for your edification, “Kanzas” is one of about 20 recognized correct spellings for the state’s name. This was discussed at length on this site a couple of months back. <BR><BR>The first newspaper in my town was the Kanzas Journal, back in the 1850's. This particular spelling sort of slipped away during the period right after WWII.<BR><BR>Other spellings are Kansas, KANSA, KONZAS, KONZOZ, KANZAW (thus the pronunciation of “ARE-KIN-SAW,”) etc. all named after the Kanza (or Konza, or Kaw tribe, “the people of the south wind.”)<BR><BR> Kanzas State University has a huge tract of land to research the last stand of the tallgrass prairie left in this country,(though there is a similar prairie in Russia). This area is known as the Konza Tallgrass Research Area.<BR><BR>As the “z” is not all that common in our language, some graphics-types are starting rekindle the use of the old spelling as an added bit of visual impact. For the first time ever Europeans and, particularly Asians, are being drawn to this area via their interest in the Old West. <BR><BR>If you think about it, with only one or two notable exceptions such as the Gunfight at the O.K. Coral, Kanzas IS the Old West, with everything ranging from free ranging native tribes, the great buffalo herds, to the original Abilene, Wichita, Dodge City, the Earps, Custer (the 7th Calvary was based out of Ft. Riley, Kanzas), etc.<BR><BR>Ya ask, ya learn.<BR><BR>Thanks again, everyone.<BR>