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Popcorn Tek w/pics
A nice writeup on preparing popcorn as substrate with many pictures.
First of all I would like to thank everybody here at the Shroomery. Without you all I would have had to do a lot of trial and error, and probably still be at ground zero. Next, the reason I did this was because a friend of mine wanted to know how to use popcorn so I put this together for him, he used it and said it was really easy to follow and the pictures were great, so I figured I would share with everybody else incase it was needed. This is also why I only made 3 jars instead of my usual 7. And finally, I do not claim that I figured out to use popcorn as a substrate. I%u2019m not sure who did really, I simply took the basics of using popcorn from a thread I found here on the Shroomery and explained it in my own words and with pictures. If you see anything that you have found to be better let me know, I like new ideas and methods of trying stuff, and hopefully this will turn into a well rounded tek. If you do know who came up with this method let me know so they can get credit. Hope you all enjoy.
The first thing you need to do is find some popcorn. I use white popcorn, but I%u2019m sure yellow would work fine. As you can see from the photo I got mine from Albertson%u2019s. Popcorn there is only $1.49 for a 2lb bag. That%u2019s about $0.047/oz. One 2lb bag fills about 3 Quart sized jars.
Next pour the desired amount of popcorn in a pot (if you want 6-7 quart sized jars use two bags (64oz). You will probably want to use a large pot if you are going to make more then one bag.
Add water to the pot. Make sure that the water is at least an inch or two above the popcorn. Some of the popcorn will probably float, so just push it down into the water and it should sink. Let it soak for 24 hours.
After 24 hours add more water to the pot if needed. Bring to a light boil and immediately turn down to a simmer.
Simmer for 45 %u2013 60 min stirring occasionally (about every 5-10 min, otherwise you might get burnt kernels on the bottom)
After the time is up, pour the popcorn into a strainer/colander and rinse with cold water (I%u2019m not sure if the rinsing is really necessary, but I still do it).Shake the strainer/colander around a bit to rinse all the kernels. Turn off the water and keep shaking until there%u2019s only a few drips coming out.
This part is pretty important because you already have the right moisture content in the popcorn by soaking and simmering, so you don%u2019t need any more water. You need to Let the popcorn drain a MINIMUM of 30 min.
(*Note %u2013 If you want to now you can prepare your pressure cooker so that it will be ready by the time you need to put the jars into it. I always put the water in and heat it up so its ready for the jars and my pressure can immediately start raising. If you put your jars in before it hot enough, you might loose some moisture content in the popcorn because it will be cooking longer.)
After about 10 %u2013 15 min, shake the strainer/colander to distribute the kernels so that they can dry evenly.
Load popcorn from the strainer/colander into jars about
The first thing you need to do is find some popcorn. I use white popcorn, but I%u2019m sure yellow would work fine. As you can see from the photo I got mine from Albertson%u2019s. Popcorn there is only $1.49 for a 2lb bag. That%u2019s about $0.047/oz. One 2lb bag fills about 3 Quart sized jars.
Next pour the desired amount of popcorn in a pot (if you want 6-7 quart sized jars use two bags (64oz). You will probably want to use a large pot if you are going to make more then one bag.
Add water to the pot. Make sure that the water is at least an inch or two above the popcorn. Some of the popcorn will probably float, so just push it down into the water and it should sink. Let it soak for 24 hours.
After 24 hours add more water to the pot if needed. Bring to a light boil and immediately turn down to a simmer.
Simmer for 45 %u2013 60 min stirring occasionally (about every 5-10 min, otherwise you might get burnt kernels on the bottom)
After the time is up, pour the popcorn into a strainer/colander and rinse with cold water (I%u2019m not sure if the rinsing is really necessary, but I still do it).Shake the strainer/colander around a bit to rinse all the kernels. Turn off the water and keep shaking until there%u2019s only a few drips coming out.
This part is pretty important because you already have the right moisture content in the popcorn by soaking and simmering, so you don%u2019t need any more water. You need to Let the popcorn drain a MINIMUM of 30 min.
(*Note %u2013 If you want to now you can prepare your pressure cooker so that it will be ready by the time you need to put the jars into it. I always put the water in and heat it up so its ready for the jars and my pressure can immediately start raising. If you put your jars in before it hot enough, you might loose some moisture content in the popcorn because it will be cooking longer.)
After about 10 %u2013 15 min, shake the strainer/colander to distribute the kernels so that they can dry evenly.
Load popcorn from the strainer/colander into jars about
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