Popcorn is a favorite snack of many Latin Americans. Its history in the region dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Archeological findings reveal that Chilean ancestors consumed roasted and inflated corn.
It’s hard to imagine a movie night at home or friends gathering in the cinema without popcorn. However, the name for this food varies in different countries of Latin America.
Poporopo
Popcorn is a beloved snack around the world and Latin America is no exception. It is one of the staple foods during movie nights or friend gatherings at the movies. However, it is a little more complicated when it comes to naming this snack in Spanish.
This is because the word popcorn has different Spanish translations depending on where you are from in Latin America. For instance, Guatemalans call it pororopos while Venezuelans prefer palomitas. And in Colombia, el maiz pira or crispetas are both common names for popcorn.
But why do we have so many names for this delicious food? The answer is probably due to the fact that roasted and inflated corn dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The name is also onomatopoeic, which means it’s based on the sound that the corn makes when it pops.
Pororo
Pororo is a small blue and white penguin who lives in a forest and loves to play games with his friends. Created in 2003 by Choi Sang-hyun of Iconix Entertainment, Pororo has become a worldwide hit. It is an animated TV series targeted at children from 4-7. The show features several episodes with educational value and has received positive reviews from parents.
The word “pororopo” is a combination of two Spanish words: poro (corn) and ropo (popping). It’s also known as cabritas (little goats), cocaleca, or las rositas de maiz in Chile, Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
Pororo’s best friend is Petty, a female penguin. He has a crush on her, which is hinted at in the third season episode “Petty, The Great Storyteller” and the second season episode “Freeze Your Position”. Pororo and Petty live with Crong, their dinosaur friend who acts as an adopted little brother.
Cocaleca
It seems that popcorn is a popular snack throughout Latin America! TikTok user Uriel Anthony has shared a video explaining how to say popcorn in different Spanish-speaking countries. For example, Venezuelans call this treat los gallitos and Colombians use el maiz pira or crispetas. However, cotufa is the word used in Ecuador and Catalan encrespado has a similar meaning to English crispy.
Guatemalans refer to popcorn as pororo, which comes from the onomatopoeic sound it makes when it pops. It is similar to the Dominican word cocaleca which also means popcorn and a unique candy made of corn and panela or unrefined sugar. Archeological evidence suggests that Chileans have been consuming roasted and inflated corn since pre-Hispanic times. Archeologists found pots with popped corn in them! This is why the country is a top producer of the crop.
Cotufa
Popcorn is a snack that is not only a staple for Latin Americans, but also a way to socialize with friends while watching a movie. In fact, movie nights at home or at the movies wouldn’t be the same without popcorn! And yet, despite how important it is to the Latino culture, there are over 17 different Spanish words for this popular snack.
While some of these names are quite similar, they also vary in etymology. For example, Venezuelans use los gallitos to talk about popcorn, while Colombians say el maiz pira or crispetas.
In addition, the word palomitas — which means little pigeons — is used to describe this snack in Mexico. It is believed to be a reference to the white color of popcorn, as well as its shape. It is a popular snack for many families in the country, as it is a delicious and affordable treat.
Encrespado
Popcorn is a staple snack for Latin Americans. In fact, it dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Archeological findings have shown that our ancestors enjoyed eating roasted and inflated corn.
However, it’s important to know that the same food can be called different things in Latin America depending on where you live. For example, you’ll find a variety of Spanish words for popcorn in Colombia, such as los gallitos and el maiz pira. In Venezuela, the word is cotufa, while in Panama it is millo or choclo.
Similarly, the Dominican Republic uses cocaleca for popcorn. While the Ecuadorians refer to it as canguil or pipoca. In Peru, it is known as cabritas or camasitas. It’s interesting to note that the word cabritas comes from the Quechua word kakamcha, meaning “goat-like thing.” The same is true for the Chileans’ word for popcorn: rosetas.
Los gallitos
The popular snack popcorn is loved by many people around the world. It’s the perfect snack for a movie night with friends or family. However, it is important to know that the word for this snack varies across Latin America. In fact, there are 17 different names for this delicious treat!
Some of these terms are quite interesting. For example, the name “los gallitos” is used in Venezuela. This name is probably inspired by the fact that this food resembles tiny pigeons when it’s popping. On the other hand, in Colombia, the term el maiz pira is commonly used to refer to this snack. This is most likely a contraction of the Spanish word piras, which means “goats.” It also reminds us that corn was domesticated in South America at least 9,000 years ago. It was later used as the main staple of the Incas, Mayas, and Aztecs.
El maiz pira
El maiz pira es uno de los tpicos snacks de la cine latinoamericana, también conocido como rosetas en Colombia y alborotos en Nicaragua. Vinson descubrió que las palomitas de maz, cuando se cocinan en aceite natural, tienen menor caloras, y son nutricionales.
Cuáles son tus palabras favoritas para decir popcorn? Aqu puede encontrar todos 17 tpicos nombres latinoamericanos para el popcorn. El pop (en espaol) y el millo, azcar (in portuguese), choclo (que se usa en Bolivia), and pururu are also popular terms. In fact, the latter word is actually a Quechua word. It means “to expand” or to puff up. The same word is also used to refer to the actual popcorn that you eat when watching a movie.
Millo
Originally, the word “millo” in Spanish was related to the Latin millet (“maize”). However, it has since become synonymous with the term popcorn. It is also borrowed from Portuguese milho, which was originally an Old Galician-Portuguese term, from the same root as the English name.
Another common name for popcorn in Venezuela is los gallitos, and in Colombia it is el maiz pira. In Mexico, it is referred to as rosetas or palomitas. The TikTok user Uriel Anthony explains the different Spanish names for this popular snack in one of his most-viewed videos.
He cites 17 different names that people use in Latin America for this crunchy treat. Some of them are quite creative! You can check out the full list below. These are the most popular words to describe this tasty snack. If you know other translations, feel free to add them in the comments below!
Choclo
Popcorn is a staple snack for many Latin Americans. But how do you say it in Spanish? TikTok user Uriel Anthony breaks it down in this video.
Unlike popcorn from the US, Peruvian choclo has larger kernels and a nuttier flavor. It’s also chewier than sweetcorn and doesn’t have the same distinct crunch.
Chileans call their version cabritas, which means goats (the name comes from the fact that corn jumps like little goats as it pops). Then there’s solterito, a cold salad from the southern mountains of Peru made with choclo, fava beans, and cheese.
The Colombian word for popcorn is el maiz pira, while Venezuelans call it los gallitos. The Catalan word encrespado is related to the English one and means “popped corn.” The Dominican Republic calls it cocaleca or pipoca. And in Bolivia and Argentina, choclo is common.
El pop
Popcorn is a staple snack for movie nights with friends or family. Whether you prefer salty or sweet, it is a must-have at every gathering. It’s also a popular snack to munch on while watching TV.
Regardless of how you like to enjoy it, popcorn is a delicious treat that dates back to pre-Hispanic times. It is made of steamed corn grains that are heated until they puff up.
Popcorn is known by different names in Latin America. While Venezuelans call it los gallitos, Colombians refer to it as el maiz pira or crispetas. And, Panamanians use the name millo or choclo. There are also 17 other Spanish words for popcorn.