The Different Ways To Season Popcorn And The Best Seasonings To Use

Popcorn has been a beloved snack for centuries, enjoyed by people of all ages while watching films, attending parties, or simply satisfying a craving. While plain buttered popcorn is a classic option, especially in the US, there is a wide array of popcorn seasonings available that can elevate the flavour and take your popcorn experience to a whole new level. In this blog post, we will explore the different ways to season popcorn and reveal the best seasonings to use, helping you to make the tastiest fresh popcorn at home. But first, we will discuss the two popular methods of popping to determine which one works better for popcorn seasoning.

Popping Methods

There are a variety of ways to pop corn kernels and turn them into delicious popcorn. Generally, there are two methods to pop corn which are used most, both at home and in popcorn factories around the world.

Air Popped Popcorn
Air popping is a healthier alternative to popping corn as it requires no oil. It involves using hot air to heat and pop the kernels. Usually this is done using an air popper. Air popped popcorn tends to be lighter and lower in calories, making it a popular choice for health-conscious individuals.

However, this type of popping also lends itself really well to a coating process, like the one we use in our gourmet popcorn range. The lack of oil allows coatings, such as caramel or cheese, to adhere better to the popcorn's surface, creating a thin, crunchy and flavourful coating.

Oil Popped Popcorn
Oil popping involves heating the kernels in oil to create a traditional, classic popcorn experience. You can simply do this in a pan, which means you don’t need any additional equipment. This method typically results in a slightly richer popcorn taste and distinctive scent. The oil provides a base for the seasonings to stick to, ensuring that salt, sugar or other, more unique popcorn seasonings adhere to the popcorn and create a wonderfully light and flavourful snack. That is why we use oil popped corn in our Mini Pop! range, which consists of flavours such as toffee, white truffle and salt & vinegar.

Now that you know exactly which popping method to choose for your popcorn requirements, we can look at some popcorn seasoning ideas to give your freshly popped kernels a yummy flavour.

Traditional Seasonings

Butter and Salt
The combination of melted butter and salt is a timeless favourite and has become the go-to snack in many cinemas. To make sure your popcorn gets a delicious buttery flavour without becoming too greasy, we recommend using air popped corn as a base. This will allow the butter and salt flavours to shine without adding excess oil, as the butter allows the salt to stick to the popcorn without using oil.

Cheese
Both air popped and oil popped popcorn can be topped with cheese. However, oil popped popcorn may provide a slightly better texture, allowing the cheese to adhere more evenly to the kernels. We recommend adding the cheese of your choice to the freshly popped corn when it’s still warm, to make sure the cheese melts a bit and mixes well with the popcorn. Parmesan and cheddar go exceptionally well with the fluffy and nutty corn! Or, if you’re looking for an even easier way to enjoy a delicious popcorn snack, why not try our ready made cheese popcorn in three gourmet flavours? All that’s left for you to do, is to pick your favourite cheese: Cheddar Cheese, Blue Cheese or Goat’s Cheese & Black Pepper.

Sweet Popcorn Seasonings

Toffee or Chocolate
If you have a sweet tooth, we bet you’ll love sweet popcorn too! From chocolate to toffee to fruity popcorn, there are so many flavours and combinations to choose from and create. Why not experiment with your own favourite ingredients to try and make your own popcorn creation?

To get you started, we’ve created a DIY range which allows you to mix, match and experiment to make the most delicious popcorn at home. Presenting:

- Popcorn Toppings Kit: with popping kernels and five yummy popcorn toppings, from chocolate chunks to fudge cubes and honeycomb. Made for melting, drizzling and sprinkling.

- Popcorn Seasoning Kit: with popping kernels and five popcorn seasonings in a variety of sweet and savoury blends. The perfect way to get you started with your popcorn experiments!

Spicy and Exotic Flavours

Curry
As a very popular meal in the UK, us Brits love a good curry! So why not add your favourite curry spice mix to your popcorn to make a deliciously savoury and spice curry popcorn? If you are using ground spices, we recommend using oil popped corn to make sure the spices stick to the popcorn kernels for a burst of flavour in every bite.

Worcestershire
Another British classic and unique popcorn recipe. All you need is popped corn, worchestershire sauce and any additional toppings you might like. Mix it all together, and enjoy! 

Conclusion

Both air popped and oil popped popcorn have their merits when it comes to seasoning. Air popped popcorn provides a lighter and healthier base, but also works well with richer coatings such as caramel. On the other hand, oil popped popcorn provides an excellent base for powder seasonings, as they will stick to the popcorn much better. Ultimately, the choice between air popped and oil popped popcorn also depends on personal preference and dietary considerations. Which one would you go for?

Regardless of the popping method, the wide range of seasonings available allows for endless creativity and flavour exploration. So, whether you're a fan of traditional seasonings, have a sweet tooth or would like to try something more unique or experimental, both air popped and oil popped popcorn can be transformed into a delicious and satisfying snack. Enjoy the journey of flavour discovery and have fun experimenting with the best seasonings that suit your taste buds!