You’ve been eating popcorn your whole life, enjoying it at movie theaters and carnivals, and having an always-present stash in your cupboard.
But did you know there are different types of kernels you can use to make popcorn?
It's cool because the kernels you pick can actually affect the taste and texture of your popcorn.
In this post,we’re going to go over the things that make the different types of popcorn unique. We’ll talk about the contrast in taste, price, and even nutritional value.
Now read on:
What Are the Most Common Types of Popcorn Kernels?
You've probably seen a bunch of kernels lining the shelves of your local grocery store — some the classic yellow; others aneye-catching blue.
Let’s take a look at the seven most common types and what sets each apart from the other. We’ll also talk about what each type of popcorn is good for so you can choose the best kernels for your popcorn bar or weekly movie night.
Yellow Popcorn
Yellow popcorn is probablythe most common type of popcorn kernel around. This is the one you know they’ll always have available at the groceries, and it’s the least expensive, too.
Justbecause it's common and affordable doesn't make it inferior, though.
Thistype of popcorn has large kernels and a yellow-orange tint. Yellow popcorn kernels pop to be about 45 times their original size — way larger than other varieties. This makes it atop choice for movie theater popcorn, microwave popcorn, and for making at home on a stovetop popcorn popper.
White Popcorn
This is the secondmost common type of popcorn.Now whitekernels aren't as big as yellow popcorn, popping to only 40 times their original size.Since they're smaller, they've got a crisper texture that's great forcaramel popcorn, kettle corn,and other types of gourmet popcorn.
White popcorn is often considered one of the healthiest types of popcorn. It has a neutral flavor and a compact size. You’ve probablyalready enjoyedit many times since it's so popular.
Red Popcorn
Red popcorn kernels have — you guessed it — a reddish tint to them. The kernels are a deep red, almost crimson color, but still pop to be white. The red color comes from anthocyanin and cyanidin, compounds found naturallyin food like grapes.
Red popcorn is smaller than other types of popcorn, so it's a little crunchier.It'ssimilar in size to white popcorn kernels and used for many of the same gourmet applications.
Red popcorn is considered to be a hulless popcorn kernel since the hull on the kernel is so small. This makes the popped popcorn soft and lacking those pesky pieces that tend to get stuck in your gums.
Blue Popcorn
Blue popcorn is more common than you think. You can find this type of popcorn in many health food stores and specialty grocery stores sinceit's considered to be one of the healthiest types of popcorn around.
Thispopcorn is high in antioxidants, which is one of the reasons why it has a deep blue color.The blue tint does go away when it's popped, turning into a bright white piece of popcorn.
You can use blue popcorn for pretty much any popcorn recipe. It pops well in home popcorn makers and on the stovetop.Its neutral flavor also makes it a perfect base for all kinds ofseasoning and flavoring.
Popcorn Kernel Shapes
Popcorn doesn’t only come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. It also comes in different shapes — butterflyand mushroom.
Popcorn shape isn’t exclusive to one type of popcorn. One kind of kernel may pop into two different shapes. However, the shapecan affect thetexture and taste of your popcorn kernels.
Butterfly Popcorn
The shape of popcorn you typically see in movie theater popcorn or in microwave popcorn bags is the butterfly kind. It has an irregular shape and tends to be softer and fluffier than mushroom popcorn.
Butterfly-shaped popcorn breaks easily but its light, crispy texture is part of the appeal. You’ll love using it for butter popcorn.
Mushroom Popcorn
Mushroom popcorn is big, round, and puffy. It looks like a round mushroom with small speckles. Mushroom shaped-popcorn is stronger and sturdier than butterfly popcorn. Because of this, it’s typicallyusedto make sweet popcorn.
Mushroom popcorn is great for recreating gourmet popcorn flavors at home. You can experiment with chocolate, marshmallows, or try your hand at caramel corn. The big, round shape is perfect for holding those sweet, heavy toppings.
What Type of Corn Is Popcorn Made From?
Many people think popcorn can be made from any type of corn. This isn't the case.
The sweet corn you see in the produce section and the field corn used to feed livestock will not pop under pressure. What makes popcorn pop is its hard outer shell and the high amount of moisture inside the kernel — only a few types of corn really have the perfect setup to pop into popcorn.
Popcorn kernels are made from a type of corn called flint corn. Flint popcorn is typically found in the Midwest. It comes in a variety of colors and each type of popcorn you see in the grocery aisle is from a different variety of flint corn.
Related:Popcorn vs. Field Corn: What Is the Difference Between the Two?
Hulless vs. Hulled Popcorn: Which Is Better for You?
The hull of a popcorn kernel is the crunchy part on the inside of the popped kernel. It’s the part that gets stuck in your teeth. Some people believe the hull is unhealthy, but the truth is that it has lots of disease-fighting antioxidants. It’s an important part of the popcorn kernel.
Thehull can also never be completely removed or absent from the kernel. Completely hulless popcorn doesn’t exist, just kernels with smaller hulls.
No matter what kind of popcorn kernels you buy, don’t worry about them being unhealthy. Plain popcorn is a whole grain and makes a healthy snack. Melted butter, sugar, salt, and similar seasonings are what give it more calories. But since you’re not going to eat that all the time, there’s nothing wrong with indulging.
Related:
More Snacking Inspiration for Popcorn Lovers
There are a surprising number of popcorn types on the market. From variations in color, texture, and shape, each popcorn is unique. We can’t wait for you to try them all and see which kind you like best!
While we have delicious pre-measured Oh Sooo Buttery and Classic Kettle Popcorn Kits to make cooking with our Popper simple, you can definitely experiment with your own kernels and ingredients.
If you need some inspiration, be sure to check out our recipes! We also have a ton of information about popcorn that will teach you more about your favorite snack.
