Wed Sep 25 04:15:10 UTC 2024: ## Popcorn Showdown: Is There a Winner in the Snack Aisle?

In a quest to find the ultimate popcorn, food writer Nicholas Jordan assembled a panel of nine taste testers to evaluate 18 different ready-to-eat popcorn brands. The results were…surprising.

While the unsweetened varieties were generally underwhelming, the sweet popcorns showed more variety and boldness. But even the best-scoring unsweetened popcorn was described as “lacking personality,” while the sweet popcorn champions were, at times, “too radical” and “belonged in the confectionery aisle.”

**Carman’s Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar** emerged as a surprising champion in the unsweetened category, its strong flavor a welcome change after tasting many bland options. The top sweet popcorn was **Cobs Natural Popcorn Lightly Salted and Slightly Sweet**, praised for its subtle sweetness and “easy to consume” nature.

**Jonny’s Popcorn Delights Caramel** was another favorite, with its strong caramel flavor evoking a “theme park candy vibe.”

However, some brands were downright unappealing. **Movietime Multi Colour Popcorn** was likened to “petrified clown tears” and **Sprinters Popcorn Butter Flavored** drew comparisons to “butter cultured in a jockstrap.”

The verdict? While the popcorn market offers a range of options, finding a truly exceptional popcorn remains a challenge. As Jordan concludes, “The popcorn industry feels the same way I do. This isn’t a main event food.” The search continues for that popcorn that can truly steal the show.

Read More