Real Popcorn!

Ok, I know that there is probably a small minority on here (its been discussed before but couldn't find the thread) but today I finally found the perfect stove top popcorn!

I was in Waitrose today (thank god for that store!). Anyway, we were at the check out and I remembered I needed some canned white tuna (same isle as the salad dressing, mustard, mayo, etc.) and as I was running down the isle I saw a small, clear plastic bag of Cerreta Real Italian Cuisine Organic Pop Corn and picked it up. I made some tonight and its great, white, fluffy popcorn. 

Just thought I would let other popcorn fans know about it....its great!

The popcorn from Fresh and Wild pops up pretty nicely too.  I just found it the other week.  Mmmmmm...

Thanks for the tip, Jules! What's the last word on where to store popcorn, by the way? I've heard in the fridge, in the freezer and in the cupboard. (I'm hoping it's the third option, as fridge and freezer space are at a premium!)

Thanks for the tip, Jules! What's the last word on where to store popcorn, by the way? I've heard in the fridge, in the freezer and in the cupboard. (I'm hoping it's the third option, as fridge and freezer space are at a premium!)

Interesting, I have never heard of fridge or freezer storage, I wonder if that keeps it fresher but I know what you mean about limited space. Anyway I use "lock and lock", plastic storage but I would think anything similar would do in the cabinet.

I remember being told to keep it in the freezer as it stays fresher.....but I haven't had real popcorn in AGES.....

I used to store mine in an airtight glass jar in the cupboard, haven't had any in going on two years now.  Add that to the shopping list for the visit to Mom & Dad's LOL

How do you make real popcorn on the stove?? I don't have a microwave here and when I was growing up we had one of those popping machines, so I never learned to do it on the stove.

Put some oil in a pot (I use olive oil but you can use veg or canola), put one kernel in the pot and when it pops then its time to put the amount of popcorn you want to make.

Fill no more than to cover the bottom of the pot, start with a little less because there always seems to be more than it looks (put the lid on). Once the popping stops, its done. Stay at the stove top while popping because you will want to turn off the heat and put it in a bowl right away. Don't leave on its own. Its pretty quick.

I prefer stove top to microwave...it just tastes a lot fresher to me.

Cool, thanks Jules! I may hit the Waitrose this weekend!

Enjoy!! 

we are popcorn addicts..

I make it with about a tablespoon of olive oil and a bit of salt (1/2 tsp) in the bottom of the pot. add about a 1/2 cup of popcorn.  when it starts to pop, add about a half tablespoon of butter and pop away.  We've been using the kind sainsbury carries (found with the beans) and it does a good job. 

wE have a special popcorn pot that has a blade that keeps the kernels moving and a crank on the outside to move the blade.  It is on its last legs and I have a replacement in storage, ready to go.

 

Thanks for the measurements for others Mrs Pink. I just "eye it" and sometimes I do make too much popcorn. Maybe I should follow your instructions!  Cool pot!

I always add salt after its popped. Actually I have a salt substitute from the states called "No Salt". If I use butter I melt it in the pot after I have made the popcorn.

PS - For those using a standard pot like I do, use an old one, not one of your good ones.

Fortunately, no pot in my house is a good pot. 

Yes, the measurements are really helpful. I think I would have used WAY too much oil.

So... for the benefit of the confused... what makes 'real' popcorn different from 'fake' or 'un-real' popcorn?

Do you mean stove-popped as opposed to microwave popcorn?
I use the Orville Redenbacher sweet & salty microwave one.

For whatever reason, stove-top popped corn has a slightly different taste to it. Whatever they coat the kernels in for microwave popcorn probably has something to do with it, but even the air poppers taste a litte different. I am not sure how to explain the difference but it's one of texture and it's subtle. Non-stove popcorn is rubbery, in comparison.

We used to have this metal electric popper thing that looked like something out of the mad scientist's lab (this is back in the 70s before the advent of plastic!).

I haven't tried popcorn on the electric stove, it just seems weird to me (grew up with a gas stove). Does it make a difference? (I guess not?).

I like the idea of popping the corn in butter. That is making it really tempting to give it a go on my electric stove.

There is now a butter flavored microwave popcorn being sold here, by Butterkiss, comes in a yellow box. It's not bad - better than the cinema sweet or plain popcorn (blue box). I guess they figured out their main customer base are expat Americans, and came out with the butter flavor?