Gourmet popcorn has been a trend for several years now and new companies continue to emerge with new and inventive ways to jazz up the humble popped kernel. The Minx picked up several samples of new gourmet popcorns at the latest Fancy Food Show in New York and tasked me with tasting them and reporting on these new flavors. I was more than happy to comply.
Pop Art Gourmet Popcorn takes its lead from the Pop Art movement of the 1960s where everyday objects were transformed into extraordinary works of art. In this case, they are elevating popcorn with sophisticated flavors like rosemary and Italian black summer truffles. When you open the bag, your nose is greeted with the savory scent of rosemary and truffles. Clearly, Pop Art does not skimp on the flavoring if just the aroma is that strong. The flavor is even more intoxicating with the luxurious taste of truffles in every bite and just enough sea salt to enhance the flavors without overpowering them. Texturally, the popcorn is also quite pleasing with plump popped kernels throughout the bag. Pop Art offers a variety of exotic flavors like Thai coconut curry, tandoori yogurt, and nori sesame.
G.H. Cretors organic popcorn has a jump on the rest of the pack in that he invented the popcorn machine in 1885. The current generation is carrying on the tradition of small batch methods but adding the modern approach of all organic ingredients. There's something homey and familiar about the flavor of Cretors popcorn even though my mother never used extra virgin olive oil on our popcorn. Still, the light touch of oil and sea salt is just enough to bring out the toasty quality of the corn.
Pop! Gourmet Popcorn offers a walk on the wild side with Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce flavored popcorn. This is no half-hearted nod to the famous Huy Fong Foods brand of chili sauce either. After a half-dozen kernels, your mouth will go numb and the back of your throat will burn. When I eat spicy food, I find that after I get over the initial shock of the heat, I find the spice addictive. That's exactly what happened when I ate this Sriracha popcorn. I really had to force myself to stop eating it. Pop! offers over a dozen flavors of popcorn both sweet and savory including African peri peri, Chinese 12-spice, and Wakaya Perfection Organic pink Fijian ginger, sea salt, and caramel.
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Posted on Minxeats.com.