Popcorn or Popping Corn is a type of corn which explodes from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Special varieties are grown to give improved popping yield. Some wild types will pop, but the cultivated strain is Zea mays subsp. mays, which is a special kind of flint corn. Popcorn was first formally developed by Native Americans thousands of years ago. To pop popcorn, you must use popping corn, as using regular corn will result in an unpleasant stench.