What Makes Popcorn Gourmet? The Secret Ingredients And Techniques Revealed

Popcorn has long been a beloved snack, but in recent years, a new trend has emerged - gourmet popcorn. What sets gourmet popcorn apart from the ordinary kernels you find at the cinema, or pop at home? In this blog post, we'll uncover the secret ingredients and techniques that make popcorn truly gourmet. Get ready to elevate your popcorn knowledge to a whole new (and tastier) extent!

Exploring Gourmet Popcorn

Gourmet popcorn is all about pushing the boundaries of flavour and creativity. Or at least, that’s what we like to think at Popcorn Shed! It's about transforming a simple thing such as corn, into a gourmet delight made to tantalise your taste buds. So, what are the secret ingredients that give gourmet popcorn its unique and mouthwatering taste and fantastic texture?

1. High-Quality Kernels: The foundation of any gourmet popcorn is high-quality kernels. We carefully select premium varieties that pop into large, fluffy pieces. In the case of our gourmet popcorn range, we use mushroom corn, which pops into beautifully round popcorn kernels. These kernels are the ideal base to coat with our fresh caramel or cheese paste!

2. Premium Ingredients: Gourmet popcorn is often enhanced with premium ingredients that take it to the next level. From fresh, buttery caramel to artisanal cheese, the possibilities are endless. We select our ingredients with care, in order to make the most delicious unique and high quality gourmet popcorn.

3. Creative Flavour Combinations: Gourmet popcorn isn't afraid to experiment with unique flavour combinations. At Popcorn Shed we’re kind of famous for it! From Cherry Bakewell to Birthday Cake and from Blue Cheese to Pink Gin and Maple Bacon, the creativity knows no bounds. And we love it! We have over 30 flavours in our range now, and are always looking for new flavours and ingredients to create unexpected flavour pairings to add our collection.

The Techniques Behind Gourmet Popcorn

While the ingredients play a significant role, the techniques used in preparing gourmet popcorn are equally important. Here are some key techniques that elevate popcorn to gourmet status:

1. Air Popping: we pop our corn using only hot air, instead of oil and heat. Air popping results in a lighter and fluffier popcorn that allows the flavours to shine without the greasiness that is sometimes associated with oil-popped popcorn.

2. Coating Techniques: To achieve that perfect gourmet coating, we make a fresh batch of caramel or cheese paste with every production run to ensure the best possible taste and crunch. Next to that we make our popcorn by hand, which means we are able to coat the popcorn and add special ingredients at any time during this process. This is how we closely control the production of our delicious gourmet popcorn range and can guarantee the best quality in every shed.

3. Small-Batch Production: As mentioned above, gourmet popcorn is often made in small batches to ensure quality and attention to detail. This hands-on approach allows us to maintain consistency and carefully monitor each batch for optimal flavour, unique texture, freshness and the perfect crunch!