# Kettle corn

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettle_corn
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{{Short description|Sweet variety of popcorn}}{{More citations needed|date=June 2024}}{{Infobox prepared food
| name               = Kettle corn
| image              = Kettle Corn.jpg
| image_size         = 250px
| caption            = Unless it is inspected very carefully, the clear coating of sugar on kettle corn is barely visible
| alternate_name     = 
| place_of_origin    = [United States](/source/United_States)
| region             = 
| creator            = 
| course             = 
| type               = [Popcorn](/source/Popcorn)
| served             = 
| main_ingredient    = [Corn](/source/Corn), [sugar](/source/sugar), [salt](/source/edible_salt), [oil](/source/cooking_oil)
| variations         = 
| calories           = 129
| other              = 
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}thumb|Kettle corn being prepared and sold.
'''Kettle corn''' is a sweet-and-savory variety of [popcorn](/source/popcorn) that is typically mixed or seasoned with a light-colored refined [sugar](/source/sugar), [salt](/source/edible_salt), and [oil](/source/cooking_oil). It was traditionally made in [cast iron](/source/Cast-iron_cookware) [kettles](/source/Cauldron), hence the name, but other types of pots and pans are used in modern times.

==History in the United States==
Kettle corn was introduced to the United States in the 18th century. It is referenced in the diaries of [Dutch](/source/Dutch_people) settlers in [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania) circa 1776.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}

It was a [treat](/source/Confectionery) sold at [fair](/source/fair)s or consumed at other festive occasions. The corn, oil, sugar, and salt are cooked together in a cast-iron kettle, or possibly a [Dutch oven](/source/Dutch_oven). This produces a noticeable sweet crust on the popcorn; however, this method requires constant stirring or the sugar will burn. Alternatively, a batch of plain popped corn can be sweetened with sugar or [honey](/source/honey) before adding salt. This combination was widely popular in the early 19th century but fell from wide usage during the 20th century.

In the early 21st century, kettle corn made a comeback in America, especially at 19th-century living history events.{{Cn|date=May 2025}} It is cooked and sold at fairs and [flea markets](/source/flea_markets) throughout the United States, especially art and craft shows.{{cn|date=August 2025}} Although modern kettle corn is commonly cooked in stainless steel or copper kettles because of their lighter weight, cast-iron [cauldron](/source/cauldron)s are still used to publicly cook the corn and mix the ingredients to retain the original flavor.{{cn|date=August 2025}}  Recipes for homemade kettle corn are available, and [microwave popcorn](/source/microwave_popcorn) versions are sold.

Flavored kettle corn comes in flavors such as "garlic-maple-pepper", jalapeño, and maple.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Rissa |date=October–December 2023 |title=Kettle Corn |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A769657845/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f752d1a8 |access-date=2024-06-28 |work=Vegan Journal |via=[Gale General OneFile](/source/Gale_General_OneFile)}}</ref>

==See also==
* [Caramel corn](/source/Caramel_corn), the popcorn with a darker, thicker, richer tasting candy shell, made with [caramelized](/source/caramelized) sugar.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category inline|Kettle corn}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kettle Corn}}
Category:Articles containing video clips
Category:Confectionery
Category:Popcorn
Category:American vegetable dishes
Category:American snack foods

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kettle corn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettle_corn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettle_corn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.