What’s the difference between mushroom popcorn and butterfly popcorn?

Don’t worry, we haven’t made mushroom flavoured popcorn...yet. But maybe in the future… Anyway, we are all well aware that popcorn has become a beloved snack worldwide, offering a satisfying crunch and a burst of flavour. But did you know that not all popcorn is created equal? When it comes to popcorn varieties, two popular types stand out: mushroom popcorn and butterfly popcorn. In this blog post, we will delve into the differences between these two unique popcorn shapes. Join us as we explore the distinctive characteristics of mushroom popcorn and butterfly popcorn, shedding light on their shapes, popping methods, and how they can enhance your snacking experience.

Mushroom Popcorn

Mushroom popcorn, as the name suggests, boasts a round and compact shape that closely resembles a mushroom cap. Its key feature is its ability to pop into a dense, large, and rounded ball with fewer hulls compared to other popcorn varieties. This unique shape makes mushroom popcorn ideal for coating with a variety of flavours, such as caramel, chocolate, or savoury seasonings, as it holds up well under coatings. Its robust structure allows for an even distribution of flavours, delivering an exquisite taste with every bite. This is exactly why we use mushroom popcorn for our gourmet popcorn range, which consists of over 24 flavours of popcorn, ranging from caramel to chocolate to cheese and beyond!

Butterfly Popcorn

In contrast, butterfly popcorn is known for its characteristic butterfly-like shape when it pops. As the kernels heat up, the moisture inside causes the popcorn to burst open, forming irregularly shaped pieces with "wings" that give it its name. These wings provide a larger surface area, perfect for catching toppings like butter, salt, or other seasonings. Butterfly popcorn is commonly found at cinemas and is a staple for snacking enthusiasts who enjoy the traditional popcorn experience. These properties found in butterfly corn is why we use this type of corn in our DIY Popcorn Kits, to ensure you can make deliciously fresh and perfectly seasoned or topped popcorn at home.

Popping Methods and Applications

The distinct shapes of mushroom and butterfly popcorn result from differences in the scientific properties of the corn. Mushroom popcorn pops by expanding uniformly, while butterfly popcorn pops in an explosive manner, creating its signature wings. This disparity in popping styles also affects their applications.

Mushroom popcorn is favoured for gourmet popcorn flavours, as its round shape allows for better coverage and distribution of coatings. Its sturdy but light structure ensures that these coatings adhere well, providing a delightful taste experience. On the other hand, butterfly popcorn's irregular shapes and larger surface area make it perfect for enjoying with simple toppings like butter and salt, making it the go-to choice for lovers of classic popcorn flavours.

Conclusion

In the wonderful world of popcorn, mushroom popcorn and butterfly popcorn stand out with their unique characteristics and popping methods. Mushroom popcorn's round shape lends itself well to gourmet coatings, ensuring an even distribution of flavours. Butterfly popcorn, with its irregular wings, captures traditional popcorn flavours like butter and salt, and other powder based seasonings, perfectly. Understanding the differences between these two varieties can help you choose the ideal popcorn for your snacking preferences. 

Whether you're craving a gourmet popcorn experience or a classic cinema snack, Popcorn Shed have you covered. To try mushroom popcorn, why not pick some of our signature popcorn ‘sheds’ in your favourite flavours? To enjoy butterfly corn, you can go wild with our DIY kits, or dive into our Mini Pop! Range which is made using a mini version of the butterfly corn kernels. 

Explore our wide range of flavours, and discover the joy of premium popcorn that will satisfy your taste buds. Remember, it's not just popcorn—it's an experience. Welcome to the world of gourmet!