If you are craving popcorn, what do you do? Do you grab a prepackaged bag of microwave popcorn out of the cupboard, dig out the air popper from the cupboard, or run to the store and get a bag of something already popped? In turns out there are a lot of options these days. Some are more modern, and others go way back. Here are some of the most popular ways to pop popcorn in 2021.
Electric Poppers
Air poppers
The most popular electric popcorn poppers these days are air poppers. They also yield plenty of light and fluffy popcorn, and have the added benefit of being able to pop without oil. Kernels are added to the bottom of the popper, and a large bowl is placed under the chute to catch the popped corn, occasionally an unpopped kernel finds its way into the bowl, but popcorn is light, fluffy, and low in calories. Poppers normally don’t have a switch, so they need to be plugged in and out of the wall at the end of popping.
Electric Stirring popper
These poppers use oil, which is placed in the bottom of the popper, along with kernals. There is a stirring mechanism that stirs the popcorn as it heats to keep the heat distribution even and limit unpopped kernels. Popper should be turned off when there are only a few seconds between pops. The top of these poppers are air vented, and also allows for the addition of butter to the top that will melt as it pops. Salt, or other seasonings can be added afterwards.
Microwave Options
You don’t have to buy microwave popcorn in order to have some from the microwave. You can use your microwave to pop it in a bowl, a paper bag, or a silicone bag. All of these methods use some oil.
For the bowl method, a microwavable glass bowl with a plate over the top is recommended. Use a medium bowl with 1/4 cup popcorn and a half teaspoon of oil. Microwave for 3-4 minutes, listening for a few seconds between pops. Make sure your microwave is the kind that rotates, pop even popping. Expect about a tablespoon of unpopped kernels.
Paper bags, such as brown lunch sacks can be used as well, but need more care and monitoring. This “feels” more like microwave options you buy from a store. Coat a half cup of kernels with a teaspoon of oil and put in a paper sack and seal the corners. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stop when popping slows, overdoing it could cause the bag to catch fire, or cause scorched kernals. Even in the best-case scenario, there may still be a smoky flavor to the popcorn, which is a matter of taste.
Silicone bags – Silicone bags are waste free and can be washed in the dishwasher. A half-cup with a tablespoon of oil takes 2-3 minutes in the microwave. There is still a lot of potential for unpopped kernels, but less for burning or the “smoky” flavor.
Stove Popping
If you are popping on the stove, be prepared for a bit of a workout. Stove methods require that there be manual shaking or stirring during the popping process. You can use a regular long handled saucepan, a wok, or a stove top “Whirly Pot” maker. A Whirly Pot has a crank on the side that help you stir the product as it pops. These methods use oil and popcorn, but rather than putting all the kernels in the pot or wok right away, a few are tested. When these few kernels pop, it is a sign that the oil is hot, and the remainder of the kernels are added to finish popping. Lids on the popcorn should be kept loose to prevent steaming which could make the popcorn soggy.
Instant Pot
If you are looking for one more use for your Instant Pot, you can try popping popcorn using the sauté setting, and waiting until it turns hot before 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon butter, and a half cup of popcorn kernels. Popping will escalate, then slow down before stopping the process. One tester of this method found that close to half of the kernels were unpopped, but the popcorn was fine.
Outside Popping
When the weather is nice, many people like to cook outside, which means things get cooked on the grill or in a campfire (or backyard fire pit). Both of these methods require a foil-based container to pop the popcorn in. With the open fire method, start with heavy duty aluminum foil and make packets that can be poked with a long poker, much like you would use for s’mores. For each packet, you’ll need an 18-inch piece of foil and add 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 tablespoons popcorn. Make a packet and fold foil thicker on the ends where it will be pierced with the stick. Hold over the flame, rather than in it. Popped popcorn has smoky flavor.
For grill popping get an aluminum disposable pan. Cover the bottom with oil, and add a cup of kernels, cover loosely with foil. Preheat grill to 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit, and put on grill, shake pan every 20-30 seconds until popping slows.
Do You Need Bulk Popcorn for Your Restaurant or Business? Shumway Farms Theater Style Popcorn Can Help!
Popcorn isn’t just great for movies at home, it is also a great addition to your restaurant or business, giving you a chance to make each customer’s experience a little more memorable. No matter how you pop it, good popcorn starts with quality kernels. At Shumway Farms we offer three types of wholesale popcorn; butterfly-style (our most popular), slightly smaller white popcorn, and mushroom style with the largest kernels, which are great for making caramel corn. Orders come in 35-pound bags, 50-pound bags, and in 2000-pound totes. To learn more on how to get our quality kernals for your own, contact us at 517-767-3569.