No complaints about your analysis... but what I would like to mention is that if you use a grease strainer rather than a lid when popping popcorn you come much closer to movie theater popcorn because you let the steam out as it cooks (just like the machines at the movie theater). I also find that if you cook it this way, after letting it cool down, you can bag it and it will last for days. Of course the next obvious thing is to use some coconut oil and then finally, invest in Flavacol seasoning.
Yes to all that. Cook the corn in coconut oil with the flavacol salt. And if you butter it with clarified butter (ghee), it will never get soggy and last for days. Crispy, Buttery, salty popcorn!
The machines let steam out after the popped corn has gotten so deep that it is pushing the 1/2 flapper lid opened.... The steam is what keeps the temp perfect and is why once 10 or so kernels pop, the rest all of a sudden go gangbusters.... Without the steam, less kernels pop... U ever popped older popcorn? Older microwave popcorn doesn't pop as well as fresher... there's an absolute difference, because the perfect kernel will have 12%-14% moisture content and older/I call it stale un popped will have less moisture content and will not pop as fully and there'll be more un popped kernels left over due to less steam from the kernels exploding... It's actual science...
Yes, use Flavacol, and I suggest using Amish Country coconut oil that has beta carotene added to it, giving it a light orange color. This makes the popcorn yellow, and the coconut oil gives a great flavor to the finished popcorn.
I buy the Amish brand hulless popcorn. It's slightly smaller when popped but does not have those annoying hulls that get stuck in your teeth and the back of your tongue. Delish!
At one time Orville Redenbacher popcorn was Purdue 210 breed of seed. Redenbacher was an AG professor at Purdue where he patented several different types of popcorn. You could not get Purdue 210 seed but you can get Purdue 410 which is a lovely popcorn to grow.
As a Brit I found this interesting. At 65 I've been popping corn for about 45 years and I always bought the most basic corn kernels, which always tasted great. The toppings make the taste.
I agree with the toppings thing, and garlic salt is my fav by far.... But there ARE distinct differences in some different popcorns... The freshness/moisture content have a lot to do with allowing those differences to come out... I'm 2 years older than you, and for years now I use popcorn to curb my hunger and keep my cholesterol in check..... I'm not a fan of air popped and exclusively use microwave for the convenience and to ME it's less oily... I go thru 10 to 15 bags a week... I live within the popcorn belt of the world in Southern Illinois and have tried virtually every brand available here to the south and out to the west coast... There aren't big differences in the flavors, but they are there... But it doesn't matter much when throwing the toppings on other than fresh popcorn kernels popping bigger with less wasted kernels. The fresher the kernels the better... perfect kernels have 12-14% moisture content... This is the perfect range for the perfect maximum explosion.... anything out either way of that range is significantly lesser quality popping...
Great analysis! I've tried several brands and found Orville to be my corn of choice. Two major factor the affects the final product are: 1. Amount and type of oil used. I've found Canola is best, and more oil than less. 2. Popping the kernels with the lid situated so that the steam is allowed to escape during the popping process, produces a crisper popped kernel. Thanks for posting this guys!
I was born in Indiana and my uncle used to grow popcorn. His was the best how ever,I like black jewel, and then amish the best. I pop it in olive oil and real butter, my mom used to pop it in bacon grease. So good!
Fun fact. Every time I pop popcorn, I don't shake it at all. I put it on high and when the popping slows down I take it off the heat and it's NEVER burned.
very interesting video, and your voice is very easy to listen to. I like that you tell us where the brands source their popcorn FROM, not just what tastes best.
I appreciate the comment. This is really good to hear. Yeah, it was harder than I thought to find out where the kernels were sourced, but I love stats and details like that.
We just started the channel a month and a half ago & want the theme to be some sort of challenge related to food. Head to head contests, what item is the best, what’s the best value, etc. if you have any video suggestions, please let us know 😁
I had a big batch of Orville Redenbacker I bought for a sale price at a discount outlet grocery store. It took me years to use it up. It was good popcorn and stayed good after years: even the last batch popped well! Then I bought a small bag of some small brand organic. They were small white kernels and I thought it might be terrible, but those popped really well and fluffy and tender and tasted great. I should have saved some for seed! All the popcorn I have bought since is not as good as either of those two batches. Since then I just buy organic from Trader's or Whole Foods.
The best popcorn I've ever had was popcorn-on-the-cob. It came with a little paper bag and its popped in the microwave. It was so delicious!! But it was expensive.
I’ve purchased Amish popcorn for several years knowing that it is significantly more expensive than the competitors. I like the fact that I’m supporting a “small” American farmer.
I haven't tried Walmart brand or superstore but Orville Redenbacher tastes nothing like it did when it came out years ago. It almost has a fake taste. Amish Country is one of the gest popcorns I have bought but I guess taste is based on the taster. I don't use a lid when I pop my corn either. I used a grease splatter lid and the corn gets more air and comes out much more fluffier and crunchier. Great video! I'll have to try the other 2!
I don't care what they say, she keeps eating the Amish popcorn and even wanted to try it first. Non GMO. She obviously thinks there is a difference. She may agree with him but actions speak louder than words.
Orville Redenbacher spent years developing his hybrid strain of "RedBow" popcorn. It was so successful that almost every other producer switched over to the same or very similar strains, which is why most of the popcorn you buy today, regardless of brand, comes out pretty close to the same when popped. It's all RedBow style. Lately the older and heirloom popcorn varieties have been getting more interest. Amish Country sells a bunch of them, including assortment packs, and there are other brands like Tiny But Mighty.
Thank you for your analysis on popcorn. For us getting non GMO popcorn is important. GMO popcorn is “round up ready” corn which is sprayed with glyphosate (powerful carcinogen) which we try to avoid always.
@@vitazgal9933because it really doesn't affect your health unless you eat popcorn daily. The popcorn I buy happens to be non-gmo, but that's not why I buy it.
@@AmazingFork 20 minutes if he stopped to make microwave popcorn and grab a drink... I did learn one thing with this video,,, This woman proved without a shadow of a doubt that women should not vote or have anything whatsoever to do with politics... If one were to look back in history, politics and government as a whole started getting all mucked up and drama saturated the more that women were allowed in government and politics... Way, way, way, way, way too many feelings and emotional turmoil for a common sense, cohesive strong government that has been in decline ever since... Look at the irrefutable evidence.. Ya can't make this stuff up...
The best popcorn I have ever had was back in the 1970s when everyone had a popcorn popper. You'd add oil (Crisco only) to the line, pour in a scooper of popcorn (Jolly Time White only) and wait for the light to go out. That was SOOOO good.
Excellent video! Love your analysis and good job on calculating cost vs weight of each. I use the no-name brand because it is cheap. Three Canadian dollars versus the Orville which is six dollars for a smaller amount. I put a third of a cup of kernels in a paper bag and microwave it for two minutes. I get the best fluffy, crunchy, popcorn, and best of all it is healthy with no added salts and fat. Most of the time all my kernels are popped. It makes a wonderful, cheap snack and I don’t think I would change brands even though it’s not perfect or gourmet. Thanks again for this great video. Cheers from Yellowknife Northwest Territories 😊
I like Bob’s, too. I was amazed at the taste difference. I always thought popcorn all tasted the same, then I tried Bob’s. I use an air popper and eat it plain.
Just looking at Amish Country today (5-27-23) their 6 pound bag is $17.09. Making it more like about 40 cents per half cup. Another thing that would be interesting to know in comparing is which brands were non-gmo and what (if any) pesticides or herbicides (like glyphosate) were used during the growing period.
The Amish Country offers different types of kernels. I was interested in the Mushroom style used for making CrakerJacks and other flavored popcorn. The more spherical shape they produce makes for better coating. When the coating process tumbles the popped corn with the syrups it breaks off the smaller edges leaving the round morsels of pleasure.
I like the Indiana Red popcorn, (sometimes referred to as "Black"). I think it has a heartier corn taste and smaller hull pieces. The big Redebacher-type kernels have big hulls.
Popcorn kernels dry out ...I have even soaking the kernels in hot water for 10-15mins and slight drain and use a popcorn pot with combo of butter or margarine and some oil and add the wet kernels and get good results as well ... I do not make popcorn often enough for the amount I buy...this way do not have to add salt as gets flavor already when cooked and is nice
Varieties of corn are used for different food applications. For caramel corn snack manufacturing, corn that “mushrooms” when popped is used, because the sugar topping adheres better to a larger surface area, also providing a better sensory (the “bite”). There is also less breakage when the product is packaged and transported to store shelf.
Great comparison love the in depth tasting you did you could’ve made the video a little shorter and added more info on the brands just a tip, but I like this style! You earned a new subscriber.
When you trace back in the food chain about 95% of our food is GMO. Fortunately most fruits and vegetables are non GMO for now. Although they are now producing GMO tomatoes.
Actually, we think that white popcorn is superior to yellow. It does not pop to the same volume, but it is crunchier. Orville's white is very good, but is very difficult to find. Only been able to find it once. We can almost always find Jollytime white.
That’s interesting. We always buy yellow butterfly popcorn, but I’ll definitely give white a try… maybe even do a video to find the best white popcorn… or maybe the best mushroom popcorn 😁
Based on what I have read popcorn is not GMO, all other corn is GMO. I used to buy OR, then Smart Pop, now Walmart. I pop in the microwave with no oil and get nice fluffy kernels of popcorn. I also soak my kernels in water for 10-20 minutes before draining and popping. It makes a difference, and takes longer to pop but worth the extra steps and time, works for my tastes.
@@johnspruit7296 Before I tried soaking popcorn kernels in water I had never heard of it either. So I tried it, I get nice butterfly popcorn, it really works. I never tried the soaking method in the stove top or over a fire. I only used my microwave silicone popper and popcorn. Butter and salt can be added after popping.
It seems to me that, if they are all completely comparable, then It would only depend on which company, you as a individual, need to decide which company you choose to support.
What was the kind you you've grown? I have friends that grow Lady Finger & also some that have grown 'black'...they didn't know the exact name, the seeds were given to them yrs ago & the elderly man passed away. But they said it looked like dark purple or black kernels.
Hi. I:m grateful for all the information you:ve gathered for us. The comparisons of different brands is helpful too. Cvould you teach us about the different kinds of popcorn? I think this pesentation focus was yellow popcorn. But i know there is white popcorn too. I don't know if there are any other types. Do you know?
To me there is a big difference in taste . Amish is so much better , plus there is different flavors . Was lucky to find the Amish one time , bought what they had , went through it fast . Unless you don’t have the money to buy the higher price , there is a big big difference to me . I never thought there would be a big difference until I tasted the difference . You need to try more than one at a time . My friends could taste the difference too .
My wife is a popcorn fanatic which led me to explore different popcorn kernels from around the country. Without fail, we both can recognize the superior taste of heirloom popcorn from small, family run farms. Instead of shopping for the cheapest, we support those American farmers who take the time to invest in maintaining heirloom stock which tastes better. Plus, we feel good helping family farmers. Cheaper has a price too. It depends on whether you prefer to support smaller farms or large corporations. The taste difference is the clincher for us.
@@brendag1482 wish I knew where to get some more of the small packages .of all the different kinds . Was so good I ate different ones almost every night .
With 50 plus years experience the first thing to consider is freshness. I buy a bottle of OR and it's great to begin with but if i don't use it within a year (or less) the popped kernels become chewy as opposed to crunchy. I'm sure the Amish popcorn has a lower production and therefore a quicker turn over and is usually fresher. Of course "different flavors" falls into a whole different and interesting category. My kids bought me like a 5 flavor sample pack from Amish and there was a big difference in taste and texture. Very fun family experiment.
I’ve always bought Jolly Time Popcorn here in z Oklahoma. I have no idea where it was grown. Sometimes. When it was sold out I bought Orville’s. I was always disappointed. The kernels were smaller before and after popping. They didn’t pop completely and they were always tough with hulls that stuck in my teeth. This applied to loose and microwaved popcorn. So I stick to the good stuff, my local store brand.
If I can come up with a popcorn variety I would be interested to try and create an integration of the Japonica corn so that the hall is even less noticeable
You forgot Jolly Time popcorn it has been around sense 1914 , Sioux Iowa ! 114 yrs of growing popcorn ! Love it also like the Amish popcorn can find in Amish stores cheaper than what you paid for it good stuff .
I think for me, the choice in variety is more important than brand. In my area, Amish country is available in more varieties than the other brands. We have 2 types of yellow, red , white, sometimes purple I believe
You did not include a popcorn brand that has been around for over 100 years and is sold in all 50 states as well as around the world. That would be Jolly Time, who has been in business since 1914. I have been making popcorn for 40 years. I have tried all kinds of methods. I have tried many brands of kernels. I have tried different types of oil. What I have found is that the kernel to oil ratio is very important, as is the level of heat it is cooked at. I find Jolly Time yellow kernels to be the best. For my oil I use regular olive oil - not evo and the oil must be made from Italian olives only - no Spanish olives, Greek olives, Tunisian olives or Portugal olives. If you get the popping right it will taste like there is a hint of butter on it, adding a little salt really brings out the flavor. In my testing of different combinations I had groups of 10-20 people taste popcorn made with different ingredients without knowing what kind of oil and kernels were used. Since I prepared all the popcorn I was the only one that knew what the combinations were, I cooked all the same way - in my 6 quart pot that I have been using for 35-40 years as well as another pot that had never been used to see if that had any effect - it did not. I have even bought resealable mylar bags to test if there is a change to the taste after packing it and letting it stay for 6 weeks. Upon opening the bags the taste was the same as newly made popcorn.
I am 74 1/2 years young. I have been messing with popcorn for many of those years searching for the best combinations. Jolly Time is my favorite microwave popcorn. I have tried many ways to make my regular popcorn taste like movie theater popcorn without success. My best guess is that you must let the steam escape from the pot halfway through the poping process. From my experience, This fellow knows what the hell he is talking about. God Bless
I rly appreciate the comments about choosing the company you want to support. It’s still a pretty cheap snack at the high end if you don’t eat it constantly. So the price difference doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. Also I’d definitely check on the non-GMO claims and organic claims. I’m not opposed to GMOs across the board (a very complicated issue) but those things reflect on the company as well. Anyway, whatever seems better for the earth, I’m willing to pay a bit more. Requires a bit more research though. Love to hear more about that.
I once bought the Walmart brand because of its price however after popping the product I saw that it left many tough popcorn hulls at the bottom of the pan... I think those tough hulls affected the texture of the popcorn... I prefer the redenbacher brand.. it does actually pop up nice and fluffy and there are no tough hulls... And like another commenter said, the white popcorn kernels are great!!!
Amish Country has such great taste, I always tend to stick with it. I use a whirley pop, usually pops almost all the kernels. Nice video btw, its well made.
From experience, I don't think this is a good test. I had a Nostalgia popcorn machine that failed, and I took some time to find better replacement unit being a Paragon Theater Pop 6. With the time gap in between, I still wanted popcorn and discovered there is a shocking difference in how you make it. Since I still had the pre packaged all in one popcorn Mega-Pop 8 oz kits that have pre measured kernels, coconut oil and salt, I cooked it in a pot just like you did here and was surprised at how different it was in terms of texture and taste. Side by side, you would not believe it was the identical product. It had less flavor which still makes little sense to me outside of maybe the large kettle creates more waste as salt attaches to the surfaces and hence less is on the popcorn, but I don't know. But for texture, I noticed the stove top method was heavier, seemingly more dense and solid and far less crispy. Thinking about it, this makes sense because all popped corn remains in the kettle until you are finished and remove the lid, so it retains steam that is ultimately absorbed by the popcorn. A popcorn machine by design has a small kettle, allowing popped kernels to exit quickly after popping as volume grows, and falls to a nice large, heated deck of the popcorn machine, so the steam never has time to be absorbed into the pooped corn, and the magic of the heated light and deck help both dissipate steam and aids in removing what minimal steam was absorbed. In fact, I will leave the popcorn "cure" in the maker 15-30 minutes after I cook it, and have noticed a difference, with very light, but crunchy texture that rivals that of a movie theater. I admit, I never would have spent the money on a popcorn machine, but received it as a gift and immediately believed it would be one of those novelty items I never used, but it was shocking how much better it was than any other method tried being stove top, microwave, air poppers, etc. So when it broke after many years and I could not get a replacement part, I purchased a higher quality replacement in the Paragon Theater Pop 6 to resolve the shortcomings in design of the Nostalgia and while I would not recommend the nostalgia due to kernel waste and inconsistency of product, if that is all you can afford, it still is in a different league and far superior to stove top methods using identical ingredients. Try the stove top method along side the popcorn machine, and you will notice a substantial difference in texture and taste, and will not believe the popcorn ingredients identical. Anyone trying stove top, microwave, or other toy poppers understand that while it is "popcorn", they just aren't even close to movie theater popcorn, but these popcorn machines as I said get amazingly close, and with a nice TV, have saved me money since I now will only go to the theater for a blockbuster movie. Let's face it, it's not just the movie, it is the experience including the food. So with a nice LED TV, surround sound, and a popcorn machine, it removes much of the call for a theater, and saves money since I am a 2 movie per week kind of guy...
Amish County has a lot of different varieties available, that's where they shine. I recommend giving them another try. If you try the standard yellow or white it's going to be the same as anywhere else. My favorite so far is the extra large caramel type. They also have hulless available as well in other varieties which is awesome for people that hate the hulls . "For me", they win when it comes to variety to best suit my personal taste AND supporting the smaller guy even though I'm sure they're huge. Also, once you settle in on a variety you like the price gets significantly cheaper the bigger the bag you buy.
There were some things you didn’t test for, how well the popcorn held up with butter and salt. Did it get too soggy? Did the flavor fade? Few of us eat unbuttered and unsalted popcorn so these questions are something I would want to know before deciding which was best.
Amish Country gives you the choice of what kind of kernels you want, and the size. My favorite is their mushroom kernels. Those are the big round kernels which you get at a movie theater. Also great for caramel corn. I always store popcorn in the freezer. It prevents it from going stale or rancid. You should have done a blind test,
Where I found a lot of difference between Orville and a supermarket brand was when we air popped them. We didn’t like the cheaper brand air popped, but Orville was much better. Mainly it was crisp while the cheaper one wasn’t.
There's a variety of popcorn known as "mushroom" popcorn, because it pops up much larger than any of the brands of popcorn that were used in your comparison test. Had there been a test of a brand of mushroom popcorn in your test, it would have stood out against the other brands because of its larger, more spherical size. Pre-popped brands that use mushroom popcorn (at least in the USA) include Garrett, Popcornopolis and G.H. Cretors. Many of the holiday canisters of three flavors of popcorn (butter/cheddar/caramel) also use mushroom popcorn. Pop-at-home brands include Princeton and - yes - Amish. Watching your test, however, it appears that the variety of Amish corn being popped for your test was not mushroom. Had it been, the difference between it and all the other brands in your test would have been night and day, and, I suspect, it would have been a hands-down winner. Thank you for doing this test!
I go with the Amish types, usually the hulless and larger size. But only microwave dry and then add whatever topping. Haven't done the oil on a stove method in 30 years.
We did a comparison test many years ago. Orville's is better than Walmart store brand. They are all so cheap that the cost is negligible. We always had many more unpopped kernels of Walmart vs. Orville.
Thanks for the comment. That’s interesting.. We did expect Orville to pop better than Walmart, and were really surprised by the result. Orville popped slightly higher than Walmart, but it was also twice the price!
@@AmazingFork Still cheap. Funny thing, Walmart has Orville's much cheaper than any of the other grocery stores. $0.136/oz at Walmart or $0.25/oz at Kroger. We buy it when they have it for $5.xx. Keeps forever in the pantry.
@@Fred2-123 Storing it in a pantry for long periods of time will allow the moisture content in your popcorn to decline over time and it won't pop as well. If you're going to store popcorn for long periods of time putting it in an airtight container and storing it in the freezer maintains the moisture level in it.
I do love popcorn! I like it popped in an air popper, topped with real butter. Salt is basic. In addition to salt, I also like it with some garlic powder, or black pepper. Cajun seasoning is great, too. I have tried a mixture of salt, garlic powder, and a little cayenne pepper. Zingy!
I prefer white popcorn. until 20 years ago, there was usually a blue (white) and red (yellow) package of Jolly time next to each other on the shelf. I liked Redenbacker's white, because the crunch and taste are basically the same - it's the viability (lack of old maids) that is the difference.
If I have to pick a "favorite" popcorn, it would be Orville Redenbacher. Only because of its availability. Amish Country is a good brand choice, but it has to be "ordered" , and unless you do so in advance, keeping it on hand can be a bit of a challenge . Price-wise , there isn't too much difference so that is not a big consideration. For me , the key to great popcorn is the popper . I tend not to use the cheap "air poppers" , because of some not so great experiences with them. Such as having one burn up while using it . Other electric poppers are more costly , and don't offer much of an improvement . I use a stove-top popper and get good results every time .
Not sure where you're buying you're popcorn, but even in northern Manitoba here at Walmart, I can get I container of Orville kernells for about $3.50 with tax. it was the exact same price as the as the Great Value brand and same size in grams.
When the comments are more helpful than the video itself. I love popping my seeds on fully hot sunflower oil with non-glass lid. The oil must be like sea. I do not like when the oil is there for covering the bottom of the pot. It must be much much more. Then I put salt on the oil. Shaking the pot to wave the salt. Putting corns, shaking again. Closing the lid right away, and it pops in 15 seconds and lasts 1,5 mins! So good taste!!!
I stumbled upon "Tiny But Mighty" popcorn several years ago. TINY kernals as it's popcorn as it used to grow, not the generically modified popcorn made to pop big. Notably full flavor compared to regular popcorn (more "corn" flavor perhaps) with the added benefit of having thin husks that almost dissappear after popping.
once I tried premium popcorn I never went back to cheap popcorn. there is a HUGE difference. the cheap stuff tastes like cardboard and the premium tastes much softer and 'thicker' (less airy). And really, it was @ $10 per 2 lb bag I think, which isn't bad
I use Gordon Food Service store brand. It pops up big, fluffy and crisp, without a bunch of hulls at the bottom of the bowl, and no more than one or two grannies. A ten pound bag works out to about 38 cents for a half cup. They also sell Flavacol, which along with coconut oil (preferably with beta carotene added) is the secret to movie theater popcorn.
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No complaints about your analysis... but what I would like to mention is that if you use a grease strainer rather than a lid when popping popcorn you come much closer to movie theater popcorn because you let the steam out as it cooks (just like the machines at the movie theater). I also find that if you cook it this way, after letting it cool down, you can bag it and it will last for days. Of course the next obvious thing is to use some coconut oil and then finally, invest in Flavacol seasoning.
Yes to all that. Cook the corn in coconut oil with the flavacol salt. And if you butter it with clarified butter (ghee), it will never get soggy and last for days. Crispy, Buttery, salty popcorn!
The machines let steam out after the popped corn has gotten so deep that it is pushing the 1/2 flapper lid opened.... The steam is what keeps the temp perfect and is why once 10 or so kernels pop, the rest all of a sudden go gangbusters.... Without the steam, less kernels pop... U ever popped older popcorn? Older microwave popcorn doesn't pop as well as fresher... there's an absolute difference, because the perfect kernel will have 12%-14% moisture content and older/I call it stale un popped will have less moisture content and will not pop as fully and there'll be more un popped kernels left over due to less steam from the kernels exploding... It's actual science...
Yes, use Flavacol, and I suggest using Amish Country coconut oil that has beta carotene added to it, giving it a light orange color. This makes the popcorn yellow, and the coconut oil gives a great flavor to the finished popcorn.
I buy the Amish brand hulless popcorn. It's slightly smaller when popped but does not have those annoying hulls that get stuck in your teeth and the back of your tongue. Delish!
I’m interested in trying it because of it being hulled. Thank you for the tip.
At one time Orville Redenbacher popcorn was Purdue 210 breed of seed. Redenbacher was an AG professor at Purdue where he patented several different types of popcorn. You could not get Purdue 210 seed but you can get Purdue 410 which is a lovely popcorn to grow.
Interesting.
Orville is my ALL TIME FAVORITE. THE Amish country is not crisp and has a styrofoam texture😢
As a Brit I found this interesting. At 65 I've been popping corn for about 45 years and I always bought the most basic corn kernels, which always tasted great. The toppings make the taste.
I agree with the toppings thing, and garlic salt is my fav by far.... But there ARE distinct differences in some different popcorns... The freshness/moisture content have a lot to do with allowing those differences to come out... I'm 2 years older than you, and for years now I use popcorn to curb my hunger and keep my cholesterol in check..... I'm not a fan of air popped and exclusively use microwave for the convenience and to ME it's less oily... I go thru 10 to 15 bags a week... I live within the popcorn belt of the world in Southern Illinois and have tried virtually every brand available here to the south and out to the west coast... There aren't big differences in the flavors, but they are there... But it doesn't matter much when throwing the toppings on other than fresh popcorn kernels popping bigger with less wasted kernels. The fresher the kernels the better... perfect kernels have 12-14% moisture content... This is the perfect range for the perfect maximum explosion.... anything out either way of that range is significantly lesser quality popping...
How much cholesterol is in the oil of those bag nastys? I prefer air popped with just a little ranch salt as I cant eat too much salt either nomore.
You two are SO "Delightfully Canadian". Loved your video ❤
lol! Thanks for the comment. We really appreciate it. If you have any ideas for future videos, please let us know.
Great analysis!
I've tried several brands and found Orville to be my corn of choice. Two major factor the affects the final product are:
1. Amount and type of oil used. I've found Canola is best, and more oil than less.
2. Popping the kernels with the lid situated so that the steam is allowed to escape during the popping process, produces a crisper popped kernel.
Thanks for posting this guys!
One of the Worst oils for health btw. Just so that is clear.
Orville Reddenbacher white corn is my favorite and I taste a huge difference between that and the yellow corn.
I was born in Indiana and my uncle used to grow popcorn. His was the best how ever,I like black jewel, and then amish the best. I pop it in olive oil and real butter, my mom used to pop it in bacon grease. So good!
I’ve never heard of using bacon grease to pop popcorn. Such a great idea. Does it leave a flavor?
@Candie Disilvio awesome flavor, especially if you love bacon!!
Thanks! I have been looking for uses for my bacon drippings
@@thejohnbeckhair tonic
Interesting, my Grandpa Cross grew lady finger and black jewel in Middlebury Indiana, my cousin John still grows lady finger there!
Fun fact. Every time I pop popcorn, I don't shake it at all. I put it on high and when the popping slows down I take it off the heat and it's NEVER burned.
very interesting video, and your voice is very easy to listen to. I like that you tell us where the brands source their popcorn FROM, not just what tastes best.
I appreciate the comment. This is really good to hear. Yeah, it was harder than I thought to find out where the kernels were sourced, but I love stats and details like that.
We just started the channel a month and a half ago & want the theme to be some sort of challenge related to food. Head to head contests, what item is the best, what’s the best value, etc. if you have any video suggestions, please let us know 😁
@@AmazingFork Test various butters. Organic, grass fed, conglomerates, etc etc!
Taste test would be best done blindfolded and/or by a third party with no knowledge of brands tested. But I do like the goal of comparisons!
And you should be clearing cleaning your pallet after each brand
I was wondering why no one says anything about the white popcorn i love it
white is far better than yellow i only buy white.
As do I, much smaller husks!🍿🍿
White popcorn is soooo much better. The husks are smaller and don't get stuck quite as much in your teeth.
Love white popcorn, it has more flavor.
Thanks. I need not go further.
That was a fun experiment. You should compare microwave popcorn next.
I had a big batch of Orville Redenbacker I bought for a sale price at a discount outlet grocery store. It took me years to use it up. It was good popcorn and stayed good after years: even the last batch popped well! Then I bought a small bag of some small brand organic. They were small white kernels and I thought it might be terrible, but those popped really well and fluffy and tender and tasted great. I should have saved some for seed! All the popcorn I have bought since is not as good as either of those two batches. Since then I just buy organic from Trader's or Whole Foods.
Feel exactly the same...did just as you did... only organic from Trader's or Whole Foods now...I've tried at least 15 diff't brands !
Great video! Thanks for taking the guess work out of popcorn buying!
The best popcorn I've ever had was popcorn-on-the-cob. It came with a little paper bag and its popped in the microwave. It was so delicious!! But it was expensive.
You would think that it would cheaper since the kernels don't have to be removed to sell it.
I’ve purchased Amish popcorn for several years knowing that it is significantly more expensive than the competitors. I like the fact that I’m supporting a “small” American farmer.
We aren't small. We average 5'8" with outliers on either side, just like every other population demographic.
I personally wouldn't go out of my way to support someone who zealously "serves the lord".
From the mouth sound ,I think the more expensive ones sound better ! LoL 🤣🤣🤣
I haven't tried Walmart brand or superstore but Orville Redenbacher tastes nothing like it did when it came out years ago. It almost has a fake taste. Amish Country is one of the gest popcorns I have bought but I guess taste is based on the taster. I don't use a lid when I pop my corn either. I used a grease splatter lid and the corn gets more air and comes out much more fluffier and crunchier. Great video! I'll have to try the other 2!
We definitely have to agree. The grease splatter lid helps produce a better result.
😲 I have always just used the lid to my pot! Thanks for sharing, this is a game changer for me! 😄
What a great idea!!
I don't care what they say, she keeps eating the Amish popcorn and even wanted to try it first. Non GMO. She obviously thinks there is a difference. She may agree with him but actions speak louder than words.
lol
Orville Redenbacher spent years developing his hybrid strain of "RedBow" popcorn. It was so successful that almost every other producer switched over to the same or very similar strains, which is why most of the popcorn you buy today, regardless of brand, comes out pretty close to the same when popped. It's all RedBow style.
Lately the older and heirloom popcorn varieties have been getting more interest. Amish Country sells a bunch of them, including assortment packs, and there are other brands like Tiny But Mighty.
Glad I saw this cuz I almost just ordered Amish off of Amazon
I also just ordered some direct from Amish country. If I like it reorders will be from Amazon. Direct shipping from Amish country was a bit spendy
Thank you for your analysis on popcorn. For us getting non GMO popcorn is important. GMO popcorn is “round up ready” corn which is sprayed with glyphosate (powerful carcinogen) which we try to avoid always.
100% .... Absolutely...how can anyone buy corn that is not non-GMO?
@@vitazgal9933because it really doesn't affect your health unless you eat popcorn daily.
The popcorn I buy happens to be non-gmo, but that's not why I buy it.
I love popcorn. I eat it like 5 times a week. It's become almost ritualistic.
They say those who eat popcorn are happier.
Same, glad to know I'm not the only one. 😅
I can’t believe I watched someone eat popcorn for 20 minutes to find out nothing
16 minutes..
@@AmazingFork 20 minutes if he stopped to make microwave popcorn and grab a drink... I did learn one thing with this video,,, This woman proved without a shadow of a doubt that women should not vote or have anything whatsoever to do with politics... If one were to look back in history, politics and government as a whole started getting all mucked up and drama saturated the more that women were allowed in government and politics... Way, way, way, way, way too many feelings and emotional turmoil for a common sense, cohesive strong government that has been in decline ever since... Look at the irrefutable evidence.. Ya can't make this stuff up...
I cant believe im totally out of popcorn just when this made me crave some.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@AmazingFork You have to appreciate their humor, 16 min not 20. 😅😅😅
The best popcorn I have ever had was back in the 1970s when everyone had a popcorn popper. You'd add oil (Crisco only) to the line, pour in a scooper of popcorn (Jolly Time White only) and wait for the light to go out. That was SOOOO good.
Crisco? NO! The secret to great popcorn is to pop it in coconut oil. Try it and you'll see.
The movie theaters agree with @Allen Clark... Coconut oil is the go to for the best popcorn.
It wasn't a time to overthink everything and still make poor decisions
You were young and everything seemed to be better in the 70's. LOL!.
@@rockrecordreport7136 Because it ...... was! 😉
In fact, the 60's were ever better yet!
Excellent video! Love your analysis and good job on calculating cost vs weight of each. I use the no-name brand because it is cheap. Three Canadian dollars versus the Orville which is six dollars for a smaller amount. I put a third of a cup of kernels in a paper bag and microwave it for two minutes. I get the best fluffy, crunchy, popcorn, and best of all it is healthy with no added salts and fat. Most of the time all my kernels are popped. It makes a wonderful, cheap snack and I don’t think I would change brands even though it’s not perfect or gourmet. Thanks again for this great video. Cheers from Yellowknife Northwest Territories 😊
Thanks for the comment, BusyBeeee! I appreciate it. I’m going to try your paper bag suggestion..
Bobs Red Mill popcorn is great also . All their products are great .
I like Bob’s, too. I was amazed at the taste difference. I always thought popcorn all tasted the same, then I tried Bob’s. I use an air popper and eat it plain.
Monsanto is in charge of putting the seasoning...😂😂😂
Just looking at Amish Country today (5-27-23) their 6 pound bag is $17.09. Making it more like about 40 cents per half cup. Another thing that would be interesting to know in comparing is which brands were non-gmo and what (if any) pesticides or herbicides (like glyphosate) were used during the growing period.
If u truly need to go that deep. U should just grow ur own.
I read somewwhere that Monsanto did not get to popcorn, so all popcorn should be non-gmo.
Isn't it gluten free.
this is incorrect …. it is 71 cents per half cup … 96 ounces is 24 half cups … dividing that into the price of $17.09 is 71 cents
I think you should have cleaned your palettes between each tasting.
All of it probably came from the same field in Indiana?
The Amish Country offers different types of kernels. I was interested in the Mushroom style used for making CrakerJacks and other flavored popcorn. The more spherical shape they produce makes for better coating. When the coating process tumbles the popped corn with the syrups it breaks off the smaller edges leaving the round morsels of pleasure.
I like the Indiana Red popcorn, (sometimes referred to as "Black"). I think it has a heartier corn taste and smaller hull pieces. The big Redebacher-type kernels have big hulls.
My favorite is Pop Secret Jumbo Pop. Fluffiest and crispiest I've eaten.
I watch this video when I have had too much excitement for the day. ..Tastes like popcorn 😂
Popcorn kernels dry out ...I have even soaking the kernels in hot water for 10-15mins and slight drain and use a popcorn pot with combo of butter or margarine and some oil and add the wet kernels and get good results as well ... I do not make popcorn often enough for the amount I buy...this way do not have to add salt as gets flavor already when cooked and is nice
Need comparison of Hulless.
Varieties of corn are used for different food applications. For caramel corn snack manufacturing, corn that “mushrooms” when popped is used, because the sugar topping adheres better to a larger surface area, also providing a better sensory (the “bite”). There is also less breakage when the product is packaged and transported to store shelf.
I make stovetop style popcorn with bacon grease in a heavy aluminum pot. Tastes good every time.
Have you considered the shape of the popped popcorn? Butterfly vs Mushroom. The butterfly has a larger volume, and the mushroom may be cruncher.
Amish Mushroom popcorn is the best! It’s often used in kettle corn which is my top favorite when purchased at a street fair or outdoor fair.
any popcorn. As long as it is cooked in a whirley pop with coconut oil and flavacol. the cheaper the popcorn the better
Popcornopolis has the best popcorn, but I have never seen it un-popped.
Great comparison love the in depth tasting you did you could’ve made the video a little shorter and added more info on the brands just a tip, but I like this style! You earned a new subscriber.
Moisture content influences popped kernel size. Age & type of storage matters a lot! 🥰
I watched a video on factory filling cans wiith canned food. It asal the same food, they just slapped different labels on the cans.
I go for the one that advertises no GMO. Because the others you don’t know what you’re getting. They could be genetically modified corn.
All corn is genetically modified. We've been modifying it for 10,000 years.
@@unnamed_channel most of the anti-GMO freaks don't even know what GMO means.... they just believe it's something bad.
When you trace back in the food chain about 95% of our food is GMO. Fortunately most fruits and vegetables are non GMO for now. Although they are now producing GMO tomatoes.
@@unnamed_channel you got that one right. Wild corn is nothing like what we grow now and is almost inedable
@@unnamed_channel There's modified and then there's the crap we have now. It's genetic frankenstein corn. Get corn without the GMO.
Actually, we think that white popcorn is superior to yellow. It does not pop to the same volume, but it is crunchier. Orville's white is very good, but is very difficult to find. Only been able to find it once. We can almost always find Jollytime white.
That’s interesting. We always buy yellow butterfly popcorn, but I’ll definitely give white a try… maybe even do a video to find the best white popcorn… or maybe the best mushroom popcorn 😁
I agree with you
Based on what I have read popcorn is not GMO, all other corn is GMO. I used to buy OR, then Smart Pop, now Walmart. I pop in the microwave with no oil and get nice fluffy kernels of popcorn. I also soak my kernels in water for 10-20 minutes before draining and popping. It makes a difference, and takes longer to pop but worth the extra steps and time, works for my tastes.
Never herd of soaking crenels B4 popping . Would that work for over the fire popping as well ? Thanks . Canada .
@@johnspruit7296 Before I tried soaking popcorn kernels in water I had never heard of it either. So I tried it, I get nice butterfly popcorn, it really works. I never tried the soaking method in the stove top or over a fire. I only used my microwave silicone popper and popcorn. Butter and salt can be added after popping.
Use coconut oil for your popcorn.
And sprinkle with salt and nutritional yeast
I swwitched from regular oil to coco and its expensive but more tasty
Where is Jolly Time (American Popcorn Company) from Sioux City, Iowa?😊. Grown right around Sioux City!
She was so serious until the end. Nice to see her smile. :-)
It seems to me that, if they are all completely comparable, then It would only depend on which company, you as a individual, need to decide which company you choose to support.
I've grown a small bed of Popcorn for about 10 years now. 32 Stalks each have 2 ears. On no occasion have I had a Kernel not pop.
kudos
What was the kind you you've grown? I have friends that grow Lady Finger & also some that have grown 'black'...they didn't know the exact name, the seeds were given to them yrs ago & the elderly man passed away. But they said it looked like dark purple or black kernels.
A lot of times, you can find amish popcorn in your local produce or farm stores.
Which one was GMO free?
I've always been a fan of Jolly Time brand.
Hi. I:m grateful for all the information you:ve gathered for us. The comparisons of different brands is helpful too. Cvould you teach us about the different kinds of popcorn? I think this pesentation focus was yellow popcorn. But i know there is white popcorn too. I don't know if there are any other types. Do you know?
To me there is a big difference in taste . Amish is so much better , plus there is different flavors . Was lucky to find the Amish one time , bought what they had , went through it fast . Unless you don’t have the money to buy the higher price , there is a big big difference to me . I never thought there would be a big difference until I tasted the difference . You need to try more than one at a time . My friends could taste the difference too .
My wife is a popcorn fanatic which led me to explore different popcorn kernels from around the country. Without fail, we both can recognize the superior taste of heirloom popcorn from small, family run farms. Instead of shopping for the cheapest, we support those American farmers who take the time to invest in maintaining heirloom stock which tastes better. Plus, we feel good helping family farmers. Cheaper has a price too. It depends on whether you prefer to support smaller farms or large corporations. The taste difference is the clincher for us.
Black Jewell is my favorite. Just lovely, flavorful, even airpopped and eaten without salt/seasoning/butter, virtually no hulls.
@@brendag1482 wish I knew where to get some more of the small packages .of all the different kinds . Was so good I ate different ones almost every night .
With 50 plus years experience the first thing to consider is freshness. I buy a bottle of OR and it's great to begin with but if i don't use it within a year (or less) the popped kernels become chewy as opposed to crunchy. I'm sure the Amish popcorn has a lower production and therefore a quicker turn over and is usually fresher. Of course "different flavors" falls into a whole different and interesting category. My kids bought me like a 5 flavor sample pack from Amish and there was a big difference in taste and texture. Very fun family experiment.
Can I ask what are the recommended flavors from amish?
We like Orville yellow kernels because it has smaller, and fewer, husks when popped.
Consumer Reports studied popcorn brands a few decades ago.
Amish white corn is the very best. It all pops and few hulls. Excellent
I’ve always bought Jolly Time Popcorn here in z Oklahoma. I have no idea where it was grown.
Sometimes. When it was sold out I bought Orville’s. I was always disappointed. The kernels were smaller before and after popping. They didn’t pop completely and they were always tough with hulls that stuck in my teeth. This applied to loose and microwaved popcorn. So I stick to the good stuff, my local store brand.
If I can come up with a popcorn variety I would be interested to try and create an integration of the Japonica corn so that the hall is even less noticeable
You two did great! now we know which brand to buy.
😆Hey Thanks! Appreciate it
You forgot Jolly Time popcorn it has been around sense 1914 , Sioux Iowa ! 114 yrs of growing popcorn ! Love it also like the Amish popcorn can find in Amish stores cheaper than what you paid for it good stuff .
I don't know why I smiled off and on through the review... but I did. 🙂
My local store has white, yellow, purple, and organic popcorn. I would like to know the difference.
I think for me, the choice in variety is more important than brand. In my area, Amish country is available in more varieties than the other brands. We have 2 types of yellow, red , white, sometimes purple I believe
I would choose the popcorn that is non GMO and if pesticides were used in the growing process. I will eat any of them with butter and salt.
You did not include a popcorn brand that has been around for over 100 years and is sold in all 50 states as well as around the world.
That would be Jolly Time, who has been in business since 1914.
I have been making popcorn for 40 years.
I have tried all kinds of methods.
I have tried many brands of kernels.
I have tried different types of oil.
What I have found is that the kernel to oil ratio is very important, as is the level of heat it is cooked at.
I find Jolly Time yellow kernels to be the best.
For my oil I use regular olive oil - not evo and the oil must be made from Italian olives only - no Spanish olives, Greek olives, Tunisian olives or Portugal olives.
If you get the popping right it will taste like there is a hint of butter on it, adding a little salt really brings out the flavor.
In my testing of different combinations I had groups of 10-20 people taste popcorn made with different ingredients without knowing what kind of oil and kernels were used. Since I prepared all the popcorn I was the only one that knew what the combinations were,
I cooked all the same way - in my 6 quart pot that I have been using for 35-40 years as well as another pot that had never been used to see if that had any effect - it did not.
I have even bought resealable mylar bags to test if there is a change to the taste after packing it and letting it stay for 6 weeks. Upon opening the bags the taste was the same as newly made popcorn.
Excellent! You should make a video!
I am 74 1/2 years young. I have been messing with popcorn for many of those years searching for the best combinations. Jolly Time is my favorite microwave popcorn. I have tried many ways to make my regular popcorn taste like movie theater popcorn without success. My best guess is that you must let the steam escape from the pot halfway through the poping process. From my experience, This fellow knows what the hell he is talking about. God Bless
I rly appreciate the comments about choosing the company you want to support. It’s still a pretty cheap snack at the high end if you don’t eat it constantly. So the price difference doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. Also I’d definitely check on the non-GMO claims and organic claims. I’m not opposed to GMOs across the board (a very complicated issue) but those things reflect on the company as well. Anyway, whatever seems better for the earth, I’m willing to pay a bit more. Requires a bit more research though. Love to hear more about that.
I once bought the Walmart brand because of its price however after popping the product I saw that it left many tough popcorn hulls at the bottom of the pan... I think those tough hulls affected the texture of the popcorn... I prefer the redenbacher brand.. it does actually pop up nice and fluffy and there are no tough hulls... And like another commenter said, the white popcorn kernels are great!!!
I like the brand..."Americas Best" White Popcorn
You are really great guys lots of love from Pakistan 💐❤
Amish Country has such great taste, I always tend to stick with it. I use a whirley pop, usually pops almost all the kernels.
Nice video btw, its well made.
From experience, I don't think this is a good test. I had a Nostalgia popcorn machine that failed, and I took some time to find better replacement unit being a Paragon Theater Pop 6. With the time gap in between, I still wanted popcorn and discovered there is a shocking difference in how you make it. Since I still had the pre packaged all in one popcorn Mega-Pop 8 oz kits that have pre measured kernels, coconut oil and salt, I cooked it in a pot just like you did here and was surprised at how different it was in terms of texture and taste. Side by side, you would not believe it was the identical product. It had less flavor which still makes little sense to me outside of maybe the large kettle creates more waste as salt attaches to the surfaces and hence less is on the popcorn, but I don't know. But for texture, I noticed the stove top method was heavier, seemingly more dense and solid and far less crispy. Thinking about it, this makes sense because all popped corn remains in the kettle until you are finished and remove the lid, so it retains steam that is ultimately absorbed by the popcorn. A popcorn machine by design has a small kettle, allowing popped kernels to exit quickly after popping as volume grows, and falls to a nice large, heated deck of the popcorn machine, so the steam never has time to be absorbed into the pooped corn, and the magic of the heated light and deck help both dissipate steam and aids in removing what minimal steam was absorbed. In fact, I will leave the popcorn "cure" in the maker 15-30 minutes after I cook it, and have noticed a difference, with very light, but crunchy texture that rivals that of a movie theater.
I admit, I never would have spent the money on a popcorn machine, but received it as a gift and immediately believed it would be one of those novelty items I never used, but it was shocking how much better it was than any other method tried being stove top, microwave, air poppers, etc. So when it broke after many years and I could not get a replacement part, I purchased a higher quality replacement in the Paragon Theater Pop 6 to resolve the shortcomings in design of the Nostalgia and while I would not recommend the nostalgia due to kernel waste and inconsistency of product, if that is all you can afford, it still is in a different league and far superior to stove top methods using identical ingredients. Try the stove top method along side the popcorn machine, and you will notice a substantial difference in texture and taste, and will not believe the popcorn ingredients identical. Anyone trying stove top, microwave, or other toy poppers understand that while it is "popcorn", they just aren't even close to movie theater popcorn, but these popcorn machines as I said get amazingly close, and with a nice TV, have saved me money since I now will only go to the theater for a blockbuster movie. Let's face it, it's not just the movie, it is the experience including the food. So with a nice LED TV, surround sound, and a popcorn machine, it removes much of the call for a theater, and saves money since I am a 2 movie per week kind of guy...
Amish County has a lot of different varieties available, that's where they shine. I recommend giving them another try. If you try the standard yellow or white it's going to be the same as anywhere else. My favorite so far is the extra large caramel type. They also have hulless available as well in other varieties which is awesome for people that hate the hulls . "For me", they win when it comes to variety to best suit my personal taste AND supporting the smaller guy even though I'm sure they're huge. Also, once you settle in on a variety you like the price gets significantly cheaper the bigger the bag you buy.
There were some things you didn’t test for, how well the popcorn held up with butter and salt. Did it get too soggy? Did the flavor fade? Few of us eat unbuttered and unsalted popcorn so these questions are something I would want to know before deciding which was best.
Amish Country gives you the choice of what kind of kernels you want, and the size. My favorite is their mushroom kernels. Those are the big round kernels which you get at a movie theater. Also great for caramel corn.
I always store popcorn in the freezer. It prevents it from going stale or rancid.
You should have done a blind test,
Where I found a lot of difference between Orville and a supermarket brand was when we air popped them. We didn’t like the cheaper brand air popped, but Orville was much better. Mainly it was crisp while the cheaper one wasn’t.
Yeah, OK. There's 16 minutes and 19 seconds of my life that I'll never get back.
There's a variety of popcorn known as "mushroom" popcorn, because it pops up much larger than any of the brands of popcorn that were used in your comparison test. Had there been a test of a brand of mushroom popcorn in your test, it would have stood out against the other brands because of its larger, more spherical size.
Pre-popped brands that use mushroom popcorn (at least in the USA) include Garrett, Popcornopolis and G.H. Cretors. Many of the holiday canisters of three flavors of popcorn (butter/cheddar/caramel) also use mushroom popcorn.
Pop-at-home brands include Princeton and - yes - Amish. Watching your test, however, it appears that the variety of Amish corn being popped for your test was not mushroom. Had it been, the difference between it and all the other brands in your test would have been night and day, and, I suspect, it would have been a hands-down winner.
Thank you for doing this test!
I think the best is the hull-less but it's so hard to find.
What temp do u cook it on
I go with the Amish types, usually the hulless and larger size. But only microwave dry and then add whatever topping. Haven't done the oil on a stove method in 30 years.
I would be interested to know if they are the same varietal of corn. Homogeneous varieties produce the same taste.
We did a comparison test many years ago. Orville's is better than Walmart store brand. They are all so cheap that the cost is negligible. We always had many more unpopped kernels of Walmart vs. Orville.
Thanks for the comment. That’s interesting.. We did expect Orville to pop better than Walmart, and were really surprised by the result. Orville popped slightly higher than Walmart, but it was also twice the price!
@@AmazingFork Still cheap. Funny thing, Walmart has Orville's much cheaper than any of the other grocery stores. $0.136/oz at Walmart or $0.25/oz at Kroger. We buy it when they have it for $5.xx. Keeps forever in the pantry.
@@Fred2-123 Storing it in a pantry for long periods of time will allow the moisture content in your popcorn to decline over time and it won't pop as well. If you're going to store popcorn for long periods of time putting it in an airtight container and storing it in the freezer maintains the moisture level in it.
@@allengator1914Th
How many old maids, as we call un-popped kernel is due to how old the popcorn is as they lose moisture slowly over time to the point some don’t pop.
GV Popcorn in a Hot Pop popper. Put in microwave until finishes popping. Drizzle with olive oil and add Lawry's seasoned salt. Your welcome.
I do love popcorn! I like it popped in an air popper, topped with real butter. Salt is basic. In addition to salt, I also like it with some garlic powder, or black pepper. Cajun seasoning is great, too. I have tried a mixture of salt, garlic powder, and a little cayenne pepper. Zingy!
I prefer white popcorn. until 20 years ago, there was usually a blue (white) and red (yellow) package of Jolly time next to each other on the shelf. I liked Redenbacker's white, because the crunch and taste are basically the same - it's the viability (lack of old maids) that is the difference.
I like the Amish Country Mushroom Head popcorn air popped
If I have to pick a "favorite" popcorn, it would be Orville Redenbacher. Only because of its availability. Amish Country is a good brand choice, but it has to be "ordered" , and unless you do so in advance, keeping it on hand can be a bit of a challenge . Price-wise , there isn't too much difference so that is not a big consideration. For me , the key to great popcorn is the popper . I tend not to use the cheap "air poppers" , because of some not so great experiences with them. Such as having one burn up while using it . Other electric poppers are more costly , and don't offer much of an improvement .
I use a stove-top popper and get good results every time .
Not sure where you're buying you're popcorn, but even in northern Manitoba here at Walmart, I can get I container of Orville kernells for about $3.50 with tax. it was the exact same price as the as the Great Value brand and same size in grams.
When the comments are more helpful than the video itself.
I love popping my seeds on fully hot sunflower oil with non-glass lid.
The oil must be like sea. I do not like when the oil is there for covering the bottom of the pot. It must be much much more. Then I put salt on the oil. Shaking the pot to wave the salt. Putting corns, shaking again. Closing the lid right away, and it pops in 15 seconds and lasts 1,5 mins! So good taste!!!
I stumbled upon "Tiny But Mighty" popcorn several years ago. TINY kernals as it's popcorn as it used to grow, not the generically modified popcorn made to pop big. Notably full flavor compared to regular popcorn (more "corn" flavor perhaps) with the added benefit of having thin husks that almost dissappear after popping.
My preference, also. I hate OR. Tastes like cardboard.
once I tried premium popcorn I never went back to cheap popcorn. there is a HUGE difference. the cheap stuff tastes like cardboard and the premium tastes much softer and 'thicker' (less airy). And really, it was @ $10 per 2 lb bag I think, which isn't bad
I use Gordon Food Service store brand. It pops up big, fluffy and crisp, without a bunch of hulls at the bottom of the bowl, and no more than one or two grannies. A ten pound bag works out to about 38 cents for a half cup. They also sell Flavacol, which along with coconut oil (preferably with beta carotene added) is the secret to movie theater popcorn.
do the 4 brands have the same light and fluffy texture without chewiness of the popcorn at cinema?
Orville popped the highest, then the Amish, the Canadian superstore was the third highest.