Zea mays everta

• X was first discovered thousands of years ago by the people living in that is now Peru
• Evidence of X from 3600 BC was found in New Mexico.
• The English who came to America in the 16th and 17th centuries
  learned about X from the Native Americans.
  
• During the Great Depression, X was comparatively cheap at 5-10 cents a bag and became popular. Thus, while other businesses failed, the X business thrived and became a source of income for some struggling farmers.
•  During World War 2, sugar rations diminished candy production, causing Americans to eat three times more X than they had before.
•  X became the official state food of Illinois in 1999
•  X also became the first food item to be deliberately cooked in a microwave oven. What is X? 

Answer (highlight to read) : Pop Corn