I usually buy the cheap (for us) 2.79 CAD bag of 1kg popping corn. the 850g Orville Redenbacher is 5.79.
However, they were out of the cheap stuff so I was forced to get the ol’ Orville’s stuff. And I found it there were less kernels unpopped, the popcorn was fluffier and weirdly, it sounded louder too. (same stove, pot and everything)
So my question is why is there such a quality difference? Is there a difference in how it’s prepared before shipping? Anyone know?
I can’t speak as to WHY one brand pops different than another, but America’s Test Kitchen figured out the qualitative difference:
https://youtu.be/-ByrLqhBhvg
tl;dw
When a popcorn kernel pops, it can go one of three ways:
The more unilateral kernels, the crunchier and tastier the popcorn.
The more multilateral kernels, the more likely it will be squishy and stale.
So if a brand were able to figure out how to maximize the unilateral, and minimize the multilateral…
(I think the bilateral and multilateral hold on to butter better).
God dammit Matpat! Why aren’t you still doing food theory to explore this???
In one sense, I get it. He wants to spend time with his family, and raise his son, and be a good husband, and not be bound by commitments, and pressures of working…
But also…HOW COULD YOU LEAVE US!!!