List of popcorn brands

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Popcorn bag unpopped.jpg
An uncooked bag of microwave popcorn

This is a list of notable popcorn brands. Popcorn, also known as popping corn, is a type of corn (maize, Zea mays var. everta) that expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Popcorn is able to pop because its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. Pressure builds inside the kernel, and a small explosion (or "pop") is the end result. Some strains of corn are now cultivated specifically as popping corns.

Contents

Microwave popcorn is unpopped popcorn in an enhanced, sealed paper bag intended to be heated in a microwave oven. In addition to the dried corn the bags typically contain solidified cooking oil, one or more seasonings (often salt), and natural or artificial flavorings, or both. With the many different flavors, there are many different manufacturers.

Notable popcorn brands

NameImageOriginDescription
Act II United States (Minnesota)Preceded by Act I in 1981, an early microwave popcorn stored in the refrigerator and based on the look and taste of movie theater popcorn. In 1984, Act II, a shelf stable microwave popcorn was released, becoming the first mass-marketed microwave popcorn. [1]
American Pop Corn Company United States (Iowa)Founded in 1914 by a farmer. Sold under the name "Jolly Time" [2] in cans, the company later added microwave popcorn and began selling in Europe. [2]
Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP Popcorn United States (Minnesota)The producers originally distributed their kettle corn product in 2002 outside the Metrodome during Minnesota Vikings home games. [3] Angie's popcorn is now sold in a variety of retailers nationwide.
Butterkist United States (Kentucky)In 1914, vendors began buying Butter-Kist popcorn machines for venues such as cinemas. [4] In 1938 the machines made their way to United Kingdom, [4] and after the Second World War, the company developed into the UK's lead selling popcorn brand. In 1998 it moved production to West Yorkshire. [5]
Cape Cod United States (Massachusetts)Cape Cod Potato Chips was founded in 1980 with the idea of offering healthier foods made with little processing, starting with potato chip making. [6] Types of popcorn include Kettle Corn, Sea Salt, and White Cheddar.
Cracker Jack United States (Chicago, Illinois)Consists of molasses-flavored caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts, well known for being packaged with a prize of trivial value inside. The Cracker Jack name was registered in 1896, [7] and some food historians consider it the first junk food. [8]
Crunch 'n Munch United StatesConsisting of caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts with various flavors, Crunch 'n Munch was first sold in 1966 by the Franklin Nut Company. [9]
Fiddle Faddle Fiddle Faddle (2669213815).jpg United StatesPopped popcorn covered with either caramel or butter toffee and mixed with peanuts, [10] the snack was introduced in 1967 and is commonly found in discount and drug stores. [11]
Jiffy Pop United StatesFirst marketed as Jiffy Pop in 1959, [12] original Jiffy Pop packages used an aluminum pan held over a stove to pop corn. [12]
Karmelkorn United States (Wyoming)Founded in 1929, the retailer initially sold popcorn and caramel corn out of downtown storefronts, operating out of shopping malls by the 1960s. [13] After 1986, [14] [15] Dairy Queen began co-branding Karmelkorn with the Dairy Queen and Orange Julius brands. [16]
Kirkland Signature United States"Kirkland Signature" is Costco's private label. It is sold by Costco at their website and warehouses, and is trademarked by the company.
Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs Australia Originally released in the 1970s, [17] it is caramelised, ready-to-eat popcorn, similar to the American Cracker Jack.The popcorn is coated with toffee and rolled in crushed peanuts. [17]
Lucky Elephant Popcorn Canada On the snack food market since the 1950s, it has generally retailed at mom and pop grocery stores, carnivals, concession stands, arenas and neighborhood food outlets, and more recently major grocery outlets. [18]
Market Pantry Brand of popcorn sold at Target.
Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn bag popped.jpg United States [19] Brand of popcorn launched to the public in 1969. [19]
Pop Secret First launched to the public in 1984. In 2014, Pop Secret introduced a pre-popped popcorn in a bag.[ citation needed ]
Pop Weaver United States (Indiana)Founded in 1928, customers include store chains around the world, as well as concessionaires, and international popcorn distributors. In 2007, the Weaver Popcorn Company became the first company to remove diacetyl, a controversial butter flavoring, from its Pop Weaver microwave popcorn products. [20] [21]
Popcorn, Indiana United States [22] Best known for its kettle corn. [23]
Poppycock United StatesThe original mixture consisted of clusters of popcorn, almonds, and pecans covered in a candy glaze. [24] Poppycock is estimated to have been invented in the 1950s. [25] Production moved in 1960 to Illinois, [25] [26] and a second ownership change occurred in 1991. [25]
Screaming Yellow Zonkers United States Popcorn with a yellow sugary glaze, in a black box, the product was developed in 1968.[ citation needed ] Zonkers were geared toward those who enjoy sweetened popcorn without nuts, as opposed to products like Cracker Jack. Screaming Yellow Zonkers were kosher, but did contain dairy products.[ citation needed ]
Smartfood United States (Massachusetts)Smartfood was first created in 1985. A pre-popped popcorn with real cheese, in January 1989, the company was sold to Frito-Lay. [27]
SkinnyPop United States (Texas)SkinnyPop was founded in Illinois in 2010. Its parent company, Amplify Snack Brands, was bought by Hershey Co. in 2017. [28] [29]
Tiny but Mighty Popcorn United States (Iowa)Initially founded as K&K Popcorn in 1981.[ citation needed ]
Trail's End United StatesTrail's End is a candied popcorn brand sold by the Boy Scouts of America and Scouts Canada in fund raising, in collaboration with Pop Weaver. Available flavors from year to year vary.[ citation needed ]

See also

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Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cracker Jack</span> American snack food brand

Cracker Jack is an American brand of snack food that consists of molasses-flavored, caramel-coated popcorn, and peanuts, well known for being packaged with a prize of trivial value inside. The Cracker Jack name and slogan, "The More You Eat The More You Want", were registered in 1896. Some food historians consider it the first junk food.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popcorn</span> Type of corn kernel which expands and puffs up on heating

Popcorn is a variety of corn kernel which expands and puffs up when heated; the same names also refer to the foodstuff produced by the expansion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diacetyl</span> Chemical compound

Diacetyl ( dy-yuh-SEE-tuhl; IUPAC systematic name: butanedione or butane-2,3-dione) is an organic compound with the chemical formula (CH3CO)2. It is a yellow liquid with an intensely buttery flavor. It is a vicinal diketone (two C=O groups, side-by-side). Diacetyl occurs naturally in alcoholic beverages and is added as a flavoring to some foods to impart its buttery flavor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conagra Brands</span> Multi National Food Conglomerate

Conagra Brands, Inc. is an American consumer packaged goods holding company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Conagra makes and sells products under various brand names that are available in supermarkets, restaurants, and food service establishments. Based on its 2021 revenue, the company ranked 331st on the 2022 Fortune 500.

Poppycock is a brand of candied popcorn. Though it is marketed in a variety of combinations, the original mixture consists of clusters of popcorn, almonds, and pecans covered in a candy glaze. Other specialty combinations include mixtures with emphasis on cashews, chocolate, and pecans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Act II (popcorn)</span> Brand of microwavable popcorn

Act II is an American brand of microwave popcorn that is ostensibly based on the look and taste of movie theater popcorn. It is currently made and distributed by Conagra Brands. Act II was preceded in the popcorn market by Act I, an early microwave popcorn that had to be stored in the refrigerator due to its real butter content. Act I was introduced in 1981. In 1984, Act II, a shelf stable microwave popcorn was released, becoming the first mass-marketed microwave popcorn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corn nut</span> Snack made from corn kernels

Corn nuts, also known as toasted corn, are a snack food made of roasted or deep-fried corn kernels. It is referred to as cancha in Peru and chulpi in Ecuador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Screaming Yellow Zonkers</span> Defunct brand of popcorn snack food

Screaming Yellow Zonkers was a popcorn snack food, produced and marketed by Lincoln Snacks in the United States from 1968 to 2007, with subsequent limited editions. Zonkers were noted for the bold graphics and funny text of their packaging.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiddle Faddle</span> Candy-coated popcorn brand

Fiddle Faddle is candy-coated popcorn produced by ConAgra Foods. Introduced in 1967, the snack is commonly found in US discount and drug stores. Fiddle Faddle consists of popped popcorn covered with either caramel or butter toffee and mixed with peanuts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popcorn maker</span> Type of food preparation device

A popcorn maker is a machine used to pop popcorn. Since ancient times, popcorn has been a popular snack food, produced through the explosive expansion of kernels of heated corn (maize). Commercial large-scale popcorn machines were invented by Charles Cretors in the late 19th century. Many types of small-scale home methods for popping corn also exist.

Jiffy Pop is a popcorn brand of ConAgra Foods. The product consists of popcorn kernels, oil, and flavoring agents contained within a foil-covered, disposable aluminum pan. Once the paper outer covering is removed, the pan is held by an attached handle over a heat source such as a stove burner or campfire and gently agitated, causing the kernels to pop and push outward against the foil. The pan is then removed from the heat, the foil is torn open, and the popcorn is served.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crunch 'n Munch</span> Brand of caramel corn

Crunch 'n Munch is an American brand of snack food produced by Conagra Brands consisting of caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts. It comes in its original form of Buttery Toffee, as well as Maple, Caramel, Chocolate & Caramel, Molasses, Almond Supreme, French Vanilla, Kettle Corn, Light, Fat Free, Sweet & Salty, Sweet & Hot and Premium Nut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Snacks Company</span>

The Lincoln Snacks Company was a manufacturer of caramelized popcorn and popcorn/nut mixes. Lincoln Snacks’ products are produced in Lincoln, Nebraska and sold nationally under the Poppycock, Fiddle Faddle and Screaming Yellow Zonkers (discontinued) brand names. Lincoln Snacks became a subsidiary of ConAgra Foods, Inc. on September 7, 2007.

The American Pop Corn Company is a family owned popcorn producer. Founded in 1914, it is the oldest popcorn company in the United States. Its only brand, Jolly Time, is sold globally and in every state in America. It employs 185 people, and its headquarters are in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Weaver Popcorn Company, based in Van Buren, Indiana, is one of the largest popcorn companies in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artificial butter flavoring</span> Culinary liquid mimicking flavor of butter

Artificial butter flavoring is a flavoring used to give a food the taste and smell of butter. It may contain diacetyl, acetylpropionyl, or acetoin, three natural compounds in butter that contribute to its characteristic taste and smell. Manufacturers of margarines or similar oil-based products typically add it to make the final product butter-flavored, because it would otherwise be relatively tasteless.

Angie's BoomChickaPop PopCorn is a brand of kettle corn produced for Angie's Artisan Treats, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SkinnyPop</span> American snack brand owned by Hershey Co.

SkinnyPop is an American brand of dairy-free popcorn currently owned by Hershey Co. after it acquired its former owner, Amplify Snack Brands Inc. in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornick (food)</span> Filipino deep-fried crunchy corn snack

Cornick is a Filipino deep-fried crunchy puffed corn nut snack. It is most commonly garlic-flavored but can also come in a variety of other flavors. It is traditionally made with glutinous corn.

References

  1. ↑ American Eats Archived 2007-05-13 at the Wayback Machine , Salty Snacks. History Channel, 2006.
  2. 1 2 Smith Jr., Wrede (1972). "A history of pop corn and the American Pop Corn Company". Sioux City, Iowa: American Pop Corn Company: 6.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ↑ "Live Episode! Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP: Angie & Dan Bastian". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  4. 1 2 Butterkist history
  5. ↑ Monkhill assumes Butterkist role Archived 2009-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Eurofood - November 8, 2001
  6. ↑ "CAPE COD POTATO CHIPS: A 'LUXURY' JUNK FOOD". The New York Times. December 26, 1986. Retrieved March 13, 2009.
  7. ↑ "CJCA – Cracker Jack Collectors Association – History & Lore". Crackerjackcollectors.com. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  8. ↑ Fernandez, Manny (August 8, 2010). "Let Us Now Praise the Great Men of Junk Food". New York Times. p. WK3.
  9. ↑ ConAgra Foods: Crunch 'n Munch - History
  10. ↑ SEC: Lincoln Snacks Company Form 10-K 2000 (Retrieved November 26, 2007)
  11. ↑ Cheryl V. Jackson (12 September 2007). "ConAgra buys Lincoln Snacks; Chicago company sells maker of Poppycock". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Jiffy Pop Popcorn and Stove-Top Popping Pan - ConAgra Foods". conagrafoods. Archived from the original on 27 October 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  13. ↑ United States (1982). Franchise opportunities. Sterling Pub. Co. ISBN   9780806976426 . Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  14. ↑ "Karmelkorn gourmet popcorn and popcorn gifts". karmelkorn.com. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  15. ↑ Restaurant Business. Restaurant Business. 1986. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  16. ↑ Eberts, M.; Gisler, M.; Brothers, L. (1995). Opportunities in Fast Food Careers . VGM Career Horizons. p.  15. ISBN   9780844244020 . Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  17. 1 2 "Sweet and savoury: opposites attract". News.com.au. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  18. ↑ Slatalla, Michelle (April 5, 2001). "Online Shopper; From Famine to Feast, Thanks to the Net". NY Times. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  19. 1 2 Klara, Robert (9 May 2011). "Orville Redenbacher's Pop-Up Bowl Heats Up the Microwave Popcorn Segment". Adweek. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  20. ↑ "Weaver Popcorn to Eliminate Controversial Ingredient". 2007-08-29. Archived from the original on 2007-08-30.
  21. ↑ Weaver Popcorn Company. Press Release: Pop Weaver introduces first microwave popcorn with flavoring containing no diacetyl Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine .
  22. ↑ Indianapolis Monthly. Emmis Communications. September 2006. p.  138. ISSN   0899-0328.
  23. ↑ "What People Watch, Listen To and Buy | Nielsen". www.nielsen.com. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  24. ↑ Poppycock flavors from Poppycock website
  25. 1 2 3 "Lincoln Snacks official Poppycock History". Lincoln Snacks. Archived from the original on 9 February 2005.
  26. ↑ "Patent for snack matching the description of Poppycock". US Patent Office. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  27. ↑ "SMARTFOOD RIDES POPCORN SEESAW" . Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  28. ↑ Confidential, Melissa Harris' Chicago. "Business is popping for healthier snack". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  29. ↑ Monica, Paul R. La. "Sweet and salty! Hershey buys SkinnyPop maker". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
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