Snack of the Ancients

When Columbus landed in the New World, as the story goes, popcorn was one of the first things the Natives tried to sell to his crew. Stacking on the Pressure Popcorn originated in the Americas and was enjoyed by its earliest inhabitants. Archaeologists have found 5,000 year old popcorn kernels in central New Mexico, and ancient kernels in tombs in Peru that were so well preserved they could still pop. In a cave in southern Utah, researchers found 1,000 year-old popped corn left by Pueblo Indians. In the Great Lakes region the Iroquois popped corn in pottery crocks over heated sand. In fact, virtually every Native American tribe can claim popcorn as part of its heritage. To this day popcorn is considered one of America's favorite, most pleasurable snack foods.

Turning Inside Out

Popcorn's unique popping ability comes from the water stored in the soft starchy center (endosperm) inside its hard outer shell (pericarp). Heating creates pressure as the water expands. When the outer shell cracks the kernel explodes, the water escapes as steam, and puffs the endosperm turning the kernel inside out. A fine quality popcorn should be not only an excellent popping variety, it must also be handled carefully at the farm, mill, and during packaging to make sure its pericarp remains perfectly smooth and unscratched. Damaged kernels lead to 'old maids', the little semi-popped bits that end up in the bottom of your popcorn bowl.

The Finest Popcorn We Could Find

Grown by a handful of organic family farms in Nebraska, EDEN Organic Popping Corn is a carefully selected yellow corn variety with a superior popping quality that produces large, fluffy, delicious popped kernels. EDEN Popcorn is a whole grain food, rich in dietary fiber, naturally low in fat, saturated fat free, and sodium free. You decide what goes on or into it. Air pop it without oil or try healthful oils such as EDEN Organic Soybean Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil, each imparts a delicious buttery flavor. EDEN Popcorn is kosher parve and comes in a 20 ounce reclosable standing pouch. For best popping results, keep refrigerated after opening.

This Month's Special

As a valued customer, receive 20% OFF any Popcorn you order. Simply enter the coupon code "POPCORN" when prompted during checkout. We encourage you to extend this offer to friends and family as well.

Offer expires September 30, 2006.

All Mixed Up Popcorn Balls

Serves: 12 | Prep Time: 0:15 | Cook Time: 0:05

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup Eden Organic Popcorn
• 3 Tbsp Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or Eden Organic Soybean Oil)
• 1/2 tsp Eden Sea Salt (optional)
• 4oz Eden All Mixed Up (1 package)
• 4oz Eden All Mixed Up Too (or Eden Wild Berry Mix, 1 package)
• 1/2 cup Eden Organic Barley Malt Syrup
• 1/2 cup organic maple syrup

Directions
Pop corn according to package directions and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the All Mixed Up and All Mixed Up Too snack mixes.

Place the barley malt and maple syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the flame to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently for 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn mixture. Mix thoroughly until all popcorn mixture is completely coated with syrup.

Preheat oven to 350°. Spread the popcorn mixture evenly, in a thin layer, on a large dry (do not oil) cookie or baking sheet, and place in the oven for 5 minutes to harden the syrup, making sure that it does not burn. Remove from the oven. Using a spatula, immediately remove the caramel corn from the sheet and place it in a bowl. If the mixture is left on the baking sheet, it will harden and stick.

Pour 1 cup cold water into a small bowl. Lightly moisten your hands with the cold water. Take a handful of the popcorn mixture and form it into a ball while packing firmly with you hands, just like you would if making a snowball. Repeat the above steps, making sure to moisten your hands before making each ball. Wrap the balls in wax paper or baking paper, or place in a covered container and freeze until the syrup hardens.

Nutritional Info (Per serving)
230 Calories, 11g Fat (42% calories from fat), 6g Protein, 30g Carbohydrate, 0mg Cholesterol, 106mg Sodium

Good Food Good Reason
Health and Happiness®

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Did you ever wonder what a farmer goes through when beginning the transition to organic farming? Here's an interesting glimpse, in an article from "One Farm to Another" by Jeff Moyer, farm manager at the 333-acre Rodale Institute research farm in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.
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An encouraging precedent ruling
A federal district judge has ruled that the USDA violated the Endangered Species Act in permitting the cultivation of drug-producing, genetically engineered crops throughout Hawaii. The court found that USDA acted in "utter disregard" of the ESA, and also violated the National Environmental Policy Act, by failing to conduct even preliminary investigations prior to its approval of the plantings. The August 10th decision represents the first federal court ruling ever on "biopharming," the practice of genetically altering food crops to produce experimental drugs and industrial compounds.
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The American Dietetic Association recommends popcorn as a high fiber snack food in their list of "10 Great Ways to Fiber Up!"

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research lists popcorn as a smart, low / no-sugar snack.

The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association permit popcorn as a starch exchange on weight-control diets, and the Feingold Diet for hyperactive children permits popcorn because it contains no artificial additives.

Non-organic popcorn is on the FDA's list of top ten foods most contaminated with toxic pesticides and chemicals.

The experts agree. Popcorn is all-around "good" food-healthy, economical and tasty. EDEN Organic Popping Corn is a healthy choice for you, yours and the environment.

Simple Microwave Popcorn
Toss 1/4 cup Eden Organic Popcorn with 2 tsp Eden Olive Oil and 1/4 Eden Sea Salt in a brown paper bag. Fold the top of the bag over several times and crimp tightly. Place the bag in the microwave and microwave it on high for 2-3 minutes, or until there are about 5 seconds between pops.