Chinese popcorn was invented in the Song Dynasty. When Spring Festival is drawing near, people would use popcorn to foretell good luck or ill luck in the coming year; girls would inquire for their future marriage with popcorn.

Invention of popcorn reflects that Chinese catering culture is diversified; food processing in ancient China was not merely simple heating and cooking of food, but changing its state and texture by using the physical theory of high temperature and pressure, which is used by modern people to make puffed food.