Any popcorn lovers out there?
It’s one of our favorites! Whether we’re binging on the latest season of Shark Tank or falling asleep to the theme song from Twin Peaks, the peppy kernel makes a regular appearance in our home.
Microwave popcorn bags are convenient but, as many of you probably know, come with safety concerns. Stovetop popcorn is a great alternative but not always the most convenient nor portable (say, for the office) not to mention the nasty smell and messy clean-up it can leave behind when a gaggle of teenagers rip through your home.
The method we’ve been using lately takes into consideration both health and convenience – plus, it makes amazing tasting popcorn!
Some quick background –
The two main safety concerns with microwave popcorn bags involve the flavor additive diacetyl (a chemical used in butter flavoring that’s released in fumes when you open the bag) and the use of the chemical PFOA in the lining of the bags.
- Diacetyl has been linked to lung disease (identified in workers of popcorn factories) who habitually inhaled the ‘buttery’ fumes. Manufacturers began replacing diacetyl with other additives (such as pentanedione) only to discover that it too pauses health concerns — so when the label says “diacetyl free” you’re not necessarily home free. Additives can be tricky business.
- PFOA is a synthetic chemical used in the lining of the bags (the same stuff used in non-stick cookware before the outcry). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified a number of health concerns with PFOA including its role as a possible carcinogen (no long term studies have been conducted on humans however the chemical has been shown to cause cancer tumors in animal studies).
Plausible alternatives –
Electric air poppers – air poppers often come up as an alternative — quick, mess-free and customizable (no mystery additives). So far so good. The problem is that most electric air poppers on the market today are made with BPA containing plastics so they are not ones that I would choose. If you go this route, you’ll want to make sure the manufacturer is using BPA free parts (with safe equivalents).
Another path –
Silicone microwavable bowls – the same material used in colorful bakeware/cooking utensils (spatulas, muffin liners, cake pans, etc) is now available in the form of microwavable popcorn bowls (with 100% silicone lids).
Silicone is a rubber that contains bonded silicon – a natural element, abundant in sand and rock – and oxygen. It is heat resistant with a thermal stability that allows it to be used in the oven/microwave/freezer and dishwasher. Food-grade silicone is deemed inert and non-reactive – there is no evidence of it emitting fumes or leaching into food the way plastics can. It is flexible, lightweight, naturally nonstick and easy to clean. It also offers some ecological advantages being reusable and allowing for the replacement of popcorn bags (as well as paper muffin liners, ‘baggies’ and other plastics used in storage). Its lightweight nature also means that it’s easy to transport and store (you can tote it along to the office or bring it on vacation with you!).
And, I have to say, it creates great tasting popcorn!
So while we won’t be giving up popcorn made on the stove anytime soon, the silicone bowls have afforded us some flexibility and been a welcome addition to our rotation.
Of the methods we’ve tried, our favorite approach is to pop the corn “dry” in the bowl (nothing added) we find this creates the fluffiest, freshest tasting popcorn (with the fewest kernels left behind) – once popped, we add our melted fat (typically butter or coconut oil) followed by seasonings of choice (I especially like chile/lime, my son loves mesquite, my husband eats them all). You have full control over what and how much you want to add and that’s a beautiful thing.
By the way, I’ve started using rosemary as an aromatic (the things you figure out when you have two rosemary bushes!) – I’ve discovered it works wonders in drinks and popcorn ~ I don’t eat it but if I plunge a sprig or two into the bowl, I’ll pick up delicious wafts of rosemary while nibbling, add a little sea salt + nutritional yeast (tastes like cheese) and it’s quite a heavenly experience.
So tell me…
What is your favorite popcorn seasoning? And, (if I haven’t kept you too long), please share your top TV series and/or movie recommendations – inquiring pups want to know!
“Stovetop popcorn is a great alternative but …not to mention the nasty smell”
Nasty smell??? I don’t know how you cook your popcorn over the stove but ours smells…just like cooked popcorn. And we get a good 2 bowlfuls from a single patch and generally <5 "old maids", total.
For best flavor: Popcorn over the stove in olive oil. Mmmmmm
Love your post: really pretty photos! And great information about bagged popcorn: Did not know that! I’ll tell my kids. I’m old school: top of the stove in a pot with a little oil and a thin layer of kernels, then, shaking like crazy until the popping sound stops. That’s fun!
Popcorn is my ultimate snack, I just love it! Thanks for the heads-up on the safety issues of the microwavable stuff, I had no idea! I just bought some unflavoured but will pour it into glass bowl when we use it. My favourite is just plain with a little sea salt but recently we have been indulging in a drizzle of truffle oil and sea salt…so good. I’m going to try to get the chile lime seasoning, it sounds lovely.
I’m glad you found the post informative Eva – the chile lime seasoning is delish (so many gems to be found at TJ’s) not sure why they aren’t in Canada yet.
My supermarket downstairs sells really cheap and good organic ready-to-eat popcorn in bags, so I stopped bothering with homemade which was never as good as I wanted… Before that, I used to make it only on stovetop, never tried to microwave.
The silicone microwave pot sounds like a fantastic solution! And I’ll test rosemary of course! I love rosemary and use it quite often (I think it’s absolutely necessary with any Western lamb dish, so I use it every time I roast lamb or make a lamb stew), but without you I’d never think of rosemary in popcorn! Thank you for this wonderful idea!
we have a rosemary bush under one of our peach trees and every time we picked a peach this summer, we would get a glorious waft of rosemary… my husband and I were so inspired we started putting rosemary sprigs in everything ;o – such a beautiful uplifting herb!
Great point about the air popping machines// BPA. I always learn from your blog (your writing is very approachable as well). Have you tried using truffle oil on popcorn? We usually make popcorn on the stove-top with canola and then add a little white truffle oil (plus salt and parmesan). Such a unique flavor highly recommend!
Ah, that’s such a great idea with the truffle oil — definitely going to give that a try. Thanks so much for sharing that delicious inspiration.
Such a great post, Kelly.. so much information to chew on here. Augh.. PFOA’s. Two of our town’s wells have been contaminated with it – the source is from fire fighting foam. It’s nasty stuff IMHO. And while the ppm is lower than the guidelies EPA has set, I don’t think science knows enough about this chemical to really make a judgement call. I don’t like it. The town is working on solutions, but there are no easy fixes. (It’s not biodegradable and is persistent) :/ BUT – this popcorn and a new way of making it, I love! We always use coconut oil on the stove top. I think I’ll be adding rosemary soon! xo
Hello Traci, feels like a perfect cozy up with a movie and popcorn kinda day over here — the sun keeps wanting to poke through but mostly we have some welcome cloud cover giving us an excuse to slow down and hang inside for a change. I hope you’re having a beautiful Sunday too! (love coconut oil – been adding a bit to our rice lately too – that flavor… d’lish).
Thanks for introducing the silicon bowl for popcorn. I’ll look into that! We eat a lot of popcorn, especially when we’re watching sports or spending an afternoon binging a Netflex series. Our normal process is the stovetop with a little garlic infused olive oil followed by a sprinkle of Smoked applewood sea salt. Have never thought of adding coconut oil after it’s popped. That a grand idea!! Also love the chile lime seasoning. Looks like I need to start mixing it up. :) Lots of great ideas!
Movies and series – well, I’m a Marvel fan, so any of the Marvel movies or series. I love both of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. A lot of fun! There is a BBC series we binge each season – Broadchurch and then an Amazon series – Bosch. Both are detective shows, but very good. Happy watching!
And what are YOUR recommendations! I’m always looking for new shows, especially for a cold winter’s day. Great post Kelly!
We are the same MJ, always on the lookout for new goodies on the viewing front! Our tastes are eclectic but in keeping with your detective’ish style, The Wire is an excellent drama series (HBO) crime/narcotics – and my nephew is a fan of Peaky Blinders (also well reviewed). Can’t wait to checkout Broadchurch – thank u!!
I think I’m pretty traditional with my preference for salt and butter but my boyfriend likes wasabi powder on his popcorn :) Thanks for encouraging us to move away from the bags where did you buy your bowl?
My husband loves wasabi too! Never thought of putting it on popcorn tho, what a great idea. Might just save that one for a stocking stuffer :)
oops, meant to answer your question about the bowl – there are different brands available but this is the one we purchased: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J5NXHBG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A211I5DVLOR041
Nice post Kelly! Great touch with the Rosemary, the popcorn looks delish.
Love your furry friend too!
thanks Lynn! The rosemary fragrance carries surprisingly well; if you like that kind of thing (or other herb) definitely recommend trying.
Loved loved loved this post, as I knew nothing about silicone popping bowls – and of course, they make a lot of sense!
Favorite series of the moment – Outlander – violent, yes, very. But captivating… We are addicted to Great British Bake Off, which we find on youtube usually two days after it airs in UK – Curb Your ENthusiasm is probably the most politically incorrect show ever made, and for that reason we adore it
Game of Thrones was my addiction this year, binge watched it all – and now we live in abstinence syndrome until it starts again
Just a couple of weeks ago we started watching Fortitude – I do not know what to make of it – i watch it, sometimes in complete shock and horror – but the acting is superb… keeps me curious about it. Often I must leave the TV room – I cannot stand too much violence, delicate flower that I am (ha! if that did not give you a chuckle, nothing will… ;-)
You’re too funny! I’ll have to watch the trailer for curb your enthusiasm to get a feel ;-) how weird is it that I’ve never watched any of the cooking shows (apart from hell’s kitchen and another french equivalent during flights) — so many good recos Sally, thanks!