Best Popcorn Kernels

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a person who doesn’t like popcorn.

They are a perfect snack for a variety of occasions: when you have guests visiting while watching a movie, series, or sports while walking through the city or nature.

Have you ever cooked popcorn for family movie nights but it didn’t taste as wonderful as the theater-bought variety?

Have you ever wondered what makes popcorn so good?

Is it a particular variety of butter? perhaps salt or more seasonings?

Caramel with cheese?

which particular topping? or the method used to pop them?

The secret to excellent popcorn, whether you want it salty, spicy, or sweet, is a nice popcorn kernel!

My family loves eating popcorn too, so I tend to pop them often and, if I may say, I became quite good at it!

In this article, I will give you my experiences about which popcorn kernel brands I use, how I prepare them, and some other information that might interest you when picking the one for your taste.

Types of Popcorn Kernels

There are several types of popcorn kernels, but the two main types are butterfly and mushroom kernels. This is a division by shape, and the difference occurs while heating up the kernels.

The shape of butterfly popcorns is irregular, with many “wings” protruding from kernels, while mushroom popcorns are rounded, ball-shaped, less fragile, and larger.

The mushroom type is, in my opinion, better if you like some kind of coating on your popcorn (like caramel, cheese, or chocolate). Butterfly popcorns are more spread on the global markets, and this type is used in movie theaters and stadiums.

Popcorn kernels can also be divided by color and size.

By color, they can be white, yellow, blackish, blue, purple, red, and green, and by size, they can be small (Baby white, Baby yellow, Tender & white, Vintage red, midnight blue, and Ladyfinger ), medium (Big & yellow, Sweet baby blue, Purple) and large (Extra large caramel, White meadows).

Ways to Pop Popcorn

Making Popcorn On The Stove

You can pop popcorn on the stove using a cooking pot or a Red Copper frying pan. Pour the oil into your pot or pan and heat it on medium-high heat. Insert your popcorn kernels, cover the pot, and wait until all (or most of) the kernels pop.

You will know it’s over when the sound of popping stops. Dump the popcorn into a wide bowl and add butter or salt if you want (in a preferred amount).

Microwave Popcorn

The most popular method for creating microwave popcorn is to heat a paper bag (such as a lunch bag or the bag you get when buying kernels) containing popcorn kernels for roughly 90 seconds on high power.

If you are using your own bag, you must add oil and roll the bag close. Popcorn is placed in a bowl once the bag has been taken out of the microwave and opened. Enjoy it and feel free to season it with salt or another topping.

Making popcorn in a bowl is an alternative to popping it in the microwave.

It is quite similar to the paper bag approach, except you need a bowl that can be heated in the microwave instead.

Using Hot Air Poppers to Make Popcorn

A hot air popper (popcorn maker) is a machine for popping that blows hot air through holes in the container that holds the popcorn.

They emerged in the late 1970s, and small-scale air poppers for home use are becoming more and more popular in the recent decade.

Preparation of popcorns with a hot air popper is quite simple:

Add kernels into the popper.
Turn it on and place a bowl under the spout of the popcorn maker.
Wait until all of the kernels pop.
Add salt and butter (optional)

Your popcorn is ready! This way of making popcorn is much healthier because it doesn’t require oil.

There are other ways of making popcorn you can try out. The method with an electric popcorn maker is similar to the stovetop method. You can use an electric skillet or even the electric grill or campfire.

It’s up to you to decide which method you find the most suitable!

What To Look For When Buying Popcorn Kernels?

There are plenty of characteristics of popcorn kernels that can be taken into consideration when choosing which one to get.

The things I look for when buying popcorn kernels are divided into three main categories (questions):

Are they healthy?
Are they tasty?
What is the perfect way to pop them?

The most important thing for me is that the popcorns are organic, gluten-free, non-allergenic, fresh, and low in fat as much as possible. I also prefer non-GMO kernels with little or no chemicals at all.

All in all, I like them as naturally as possible!

Other things that can be important for you are the presence of cholesterol, proteins, and fibers. Some of you might be interested in the kernels Kosher, vegetarian, or vegan.

There is an old Latin saying: “About tastes, it should not be discussed.”

I will just say my family and I like our popcorn buttery, tender, salty, and topped with cheese!

We already talked about methods of making popcorn, and you probably have your favorite one.

That is fine because every kernel can be popped in all of those ways. But, some kernels are better when prepared in a certain way, they just taste better!

Most Recommended Popcorn Kernels: Detailed Reviews 2022

Below I will present to you five of my favorite popcorn kernels. I’ve tried and tested them thoroughly on many occasions, and here’s how they performed for me:

GREAT NORTHERN POPCORN COMPANY – 8 oz Popcorn Packs

I’ve never had problems with preparing them, they always turn out fluffy and delicious!

This is an 8-ounce pack, and it comes with a pack of buttery oil. If you’ve ever eaten popcorn in theaters or sports stadiums, you’ve probably already tasted them. Just to mention that the company that produces them claims that these popcorns are the best-tasting popcorns in the USA!

Ingredients:

Popcorn, coconut oil, beta carotene, natural and artificial flavor, FD&C Yellow #5 and 6.

Things I like about them:

They have zero trans fat.
Zero cholesterol
Pre-Measured
Non-GMO, they are Diacetyl and Gluten-free!
Always fresh
Easy for storage
Ships in frustration-free packaging
No waste or mess while preparing them
Does not contain any of the 8 major allergens
Can be prepared in a popper

Things I didn’t like:

Popcorn tends to become dry, tough, chewy, and husky if they remain in the popper for too long.
The package does not indicate it is Kosher.
The oil you get in the pack is in a solid state, so you need to melt it first.
Not eligible for international shipping

Bob’s Red Mill White Corn Popcorn, 27 Ounce (Pack of 4)

Bob’s Red Mill popcorn kernels come in a box of four bags of 100% vegetarian whole grains with no added salt or oil. These popcorns are an excellent source of dietary fiber.

The producers say that kernels are carefully selected from the very best crops of corn. They are butterfly-shaped, white varieties of hulls kernels. They are better to be popped on the stove or in the microwave.

Currently, Bob’s Red Mill White Corn Popcorn can be shipped only within the USA. It can be stored in a refrigerator, freezer, or in plastic airtight container.

Things I like about them:

They are Gluten Free
They are 100% vegan and vegetarian
100% whole grain
Kosher Pareve
Pre-Measured
Contains a lot of healthy dietary fiber
Contains no saturated or trans fats
Non-GMO
Can be made in an air popper
Organic

Things I didn’t like:

Not eligible for international shipping
Small corn kernels
Unpopped kernels are not rare
The package can be easily damaged

Snappy White Popcorn, 4 Pounds

A healthy, low-fat, whole grain, mushroom-shaped popcorn kernel for every occasion! With the tradition dating from the 1940s, Snappy White Popcorn is, in my opinion, one of the top popcorn kernels on the market.

Almost all kernels pop every time, and the flavor is just great. The popcorns are literally melting in your mouth! They come in one 4-pound jar of fresh white kernels, and they can be popped any way you like! I prefer microwave popping because it is the quickest and the healthiest way.

Things I like about them:

Low Fat
High Fiber
Fresh
Long tradition
Leaves very few unpopped kernels
Fewer hulls for easier eating
GMO-free
Very tender
Very decent quantity
Pre-Measured
Quick delivery

Things I didn’t like:

Not eligible for international shipping
Non-organic
Can’t be stored in a freezer
The package does not indicate it is Kosher.
Small, not fluffy
Could take a long time to pop
A bit pricey
Occasional lack of jar seal

Related article: Top Rated Microwaves – Review

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn Kernels, Original Yellow

These are tasty butterfly popcorns with a crispy outside and a tender inside. They are 100% natural, round, yellow kernels. They are packed in a huge jar containing 5 lb, 12 oz of 100% whole-grain kernels, and they are meant to be prepared and eaten all at once.

I prepared them in many ways: on the stovetop, in an electric popper, in a hot air popper, but I must say that I got the perfect results (and flavor, of course) when popping them in the microwave with a paper bag.

Things I like about them:

100% natural non-GMO
Gluten-free
Easy to store
Pesticide-free
Handy container with a handle
Pre-Measured
Light and fluffy

Things I didn’t like:

Not organic
It is not recommended to be stored for a long time after you open the jug because it may become stale.
The package does not indicate it is Kosher
Partially unpopped kernels are not rare
Not eligible for international shipping

Franklin’s Gourmet Movie Theater Popcorn

Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorns are organic popcorn kernels, with 100% coconut oil and seasoning salt, and they taste just like movie theater popcorn! They are sold in pre-measured packs weighing about 5.8 pounds.

These kernels don’t pop up as big and fluffy as some of the other popcorn brands, but it’s worth the sacrifice because Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn is a non-GMO product acquired from corn that’s grown by small family-owned farms.

It is recommended to be made in a whirley pop, fryer pot on your stovetop, or a kettle popcorn popper.

Things I like about them:

Certified organic and non-GMO
Gluten/Peanut/Soy-Free
High in protein and fiber
Fresh
Vegan
Kosher
Dairy-free
Each pack include pre-measured kernels, coconut oil, and seasoning salt
Buttery tasting

Things I didn’t like:

Added artificial butter
Doesn’t grow very big
Not cheap at all
Not eligible for international shipping

Conclusion and My Recommendation

Although I enjoyed every one of those popcorn kernels, and I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy all of them again, my favorite is definitely Great Northern Popcorn Premium.

My family loves them, they are easy to make, and they have never disappointed me.

Great Northern Popcorns are healthy, non-GMO, gluten, cholesterol trans-fat-free, and non-allergenic.

You can prepare them any way you like, and they will always turn out delicious and soft.

Great Northern Popcorns can be stored for later use, and they will always turn out fresh.

Further Reading: Does Popcorn Expire – A Complete Guide

Best Popcorn Kernels – Reviews 2022: Top 5+ Recommended