White vs Yellow
Even if you go for the plainest, most basic grocery store popcorn, you usually have the choice between white or yellow corn. I used to be a yellow corn person, but more recently I find myself strongly planted in the white camp. Seems odd to me that you don’t get that choice if you buy microwave popcorn–there are different varieties ranging from organic to kettle corn, low fat, movie theater style and even caramel available in microwave popcorn, but I don’t recall ever seeing the choice of yellow or white. Huh. When you buy a bag of popcorn to pop yourself, however, there on the shelf sit the bags of yellow and the bags of white. Yellow corn yields larger popped kernels, while white pops up smaller. What has made the difference for me is that yellow tends to be chewier, and I find I prefer the crispness of the white kernels. I also tend to like the taste a bit better.
But let’s be honest here. I hardly even notice the taste of the actual popcorn that sits underneath all the butter and salt. For what is popcorn but a vessel for getting butter and salt in your mouth? Mmmmmmmm. Which raises the cruel dichotomy of movie theater popcorn: the smell conjures up the taste of buttery goodness, but the reality is much less satisfying. I read somewhere that real butter is actually less expensive than the imitation oily substance on movie theater popcorn, but the cost of refrigeration is what quashes the use of the genuine stuff. Bummer.
I want to be in control of the amount of butter and salt I subject my popcorn to. Not to mention the hydrogenated oil and other somewhat mysterious additives or ingrediants (and not to further mention popcorn lung. Yikes.). Plus, microwave popcorn is relatively expensive, which is the price of convenience. My solution to this dilemma of the ages is a microwave popper that uses my own corn (and butter and salt and no crazy hydrogenated anything). More convenient, IMHO, and less expensive than a hot air popper, but I get to say what does–and doesn’t–go in it. There are probably several different models out there; I have only tried the Presto PowerPop. It has worked well for me!
Today is Friday, and you know what that means? Movie night. Get popping.
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Oh my goodness Mary - I never realised there was so much to popcorn!! I look forward to future posts. I have to say I have not seen yellow popcorn either in the UK or here in Spain - I think we only have the option of white or white!!! I am not keen on popcorn, but maybe with real butter, as you say, it will taste different - may very well give it a try.
Good job Mary! There are so many good writers in this class…And yes, I did have popcorn Friday night
I live in the Uk too, Mary and have only seen the one type of popcorn and it is not always easy to get the plain type. The most common for home popping comes in boxes with the flavourings already added and you put them in the microwave to pop and then just eat them. I like the plain type so I can add my own flavouring.
Well, that’s some food for thought!
I agree though about the butter and salt. Corn on the cob is another favorite vessel for that. Really enjoyed this post and I think it’s time for some popcorn 
Anita
Awesome page - and all about popcorn which is amazing!
I love popcorn and purchased a huge bag from our local market yesterday. It is so tastey. It’s sweet and salty and very addictive.
Looking forward to hearing more about your popcorn.
Maureen
Great stuff, Mary! There’s a local grower here who grows a mixed white/yellow kernal corn that everyone raves about as the best popcorn ever. Unfortunately, I’ve never had the chance to try it. Popcorn is one of those foods I sorely miss. It went the way of lots of wonderful things when diverticulitis raised its ugly head. Add high blood pressure and high cholesterol and there goes the salt and butter.
I’ll just drool as I munch on the virtual stuff I’m sure is pouring out of your popper even now.
I have a strong preference for white over yellow when it comes to fresh corn but I guess I didn’t really appreciate the difference when it comes to pop corn. I think it is because I tend to go the easy route with microwave popcorn.
Wow, more popcorn news. Like Americans we Australians are popcorn fantatics.
I like it buttered, with toffee, without anything except a little salt and the sugar/salt flavoured. Just the smell of popcorn is wild.
Keep up the great work of keeping us informed about popcorn!
I’m having a difficult time deciding which popcorn to purchase, white or yellow. I’ll let you know which tastes better, I plan on buying both.