I currently have a theater pop4 paragon popper, and was using some Orville Rendenbacher gourmet popcorn that I got at costco a while ago.
The problem is that my popcorn does not turn out as crisp as when I've had popcorn from other popcorn popped from fairs,etc(Some have even used machines that were the same as mine except bigger).

My popcorn also said that it is good until 2006. So I'm thinking that since it is old that is the problem, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Is there a brand or type that anyone recommends?


Here is also my process to making popcorn(from a cold start):
1.Turn on the kettle and wait for a minute.
2. Throw in ~ 1/4 cup of canola oil and a couple popcorn kernels, close lid..
3. Wait until the couple kernels pop. Then pour in the rest of the popcorn(1/2 cup).
4. Close lid again.
5. Keep the door open about 4-5 inches to let steam out as it is cooking and popping.
6. When the popping stops I turn off the kettle and dump.
For any next batches I dump in the oil and popcorn right away.


Dan

Stale dated popcorn will not pop properly nor be tasty.
Toss it out and purchase fresh popcorn is relatively inexpensive at this time.

Country Harvest Popcorn in the portion packs is my personal favorite. :)
You can buy online. I used to use Mega Pop by Gold Medal but, I like the Paragon country harvest better

Thanks for the advice. So all of your popcorn comes out very crisp?

I'll try out the country harvest too thanks.


Dan

If I use fresh popcorn and let it sit in the heated deck for an hour stirring every 15 minutes, yes, it's allways crisp. :)

Try to get some Yoder's popcorn from Amish country.

Over a few days you can refreshen popcorn..

Put the popcorn in a baggie with a few drop of watter and put it in the fridge, repeat over a few days.

Orvil Redenbacher is what we have settled in on, but we use a hot air popper.

The popcorn is definitely stale. I like Country Harvest as well, but I prefer Mega Pop by Gold Medal. I think you will be fine with either choice, or try a little of both then choose your favorite!

Fresh is best, and even Orville will work fine as long as you don't mind paying the extra. If you're making your own mixture with oil and corn, make sure you don't use too much oil as I think this could lead to a less crisp corn.
Good luck.

If you have a Smart 'N Final in your area you can usually get the Mega Pop combo packs there at a great price - and you won't get killed on shipping charges as you do for online purchases...

How is the Pop Weaver Gourmet Popcorn?

This store seems pretty good and carries lot of other good stuff.

http://www.popcornsupply.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=18525

Pop Weaver = Mega Pop
The same popcorn, just branded differently

Try to get some Yoder's popcorn from Amish country.

I'll second that!
Good stuff!!

I'm a big fan of Chief's Choice by Gold Medal. Always crispy and tasty.

I just wanted to quickly chime in on this. Our work cafeteria makes great crunchy popcorn with a slightly nutty flavor. They just use snappy popcorn so I thought I'd try and replicate their popcorn at home in my machine. I used snappy popcorn and then the salt and coconut oil from one of my portion packs...and the result wasn't even close. So I checked with the cafeteria and found out that they use "Pop-All" canola popping oil. Pop-all can only be purchased commercially I believe but I think they are going to let me buy a gallon from them. I have yet to try any canola oil but it sounds like it may be the key to getting the crunchy popcorn the make.

Has anyone tried canola popping oil? I know it is healthier too. Try it with any popcorn and sprinkle on some Act II butter popcorn salt. It's good stuff and a nice change of pace from the Moive Theater type.

I also have to agree that Amish Country makes some really great popcorn. I used their extra large caramel type to make different types of glazed popcorn this past Christmas and it turned out great.

Lastly, for Kettle Corn lovers, Wabash Valley makes an awesome all in one Kettle Korn pack. You can buy them here:
http://www.popcornpopper.com/ke4.html

What about Kroger brand bargain popcorn? it has high sugar content which gives it a sweet taste. :D

Has anyone tried "Chief's Choice Popcorn" from Star Mfg? The local Superior kitchen supply here in Minnesota has 6 oz/28 pack on sale for $18.99 this month. Price is the best I found so far.

Any place else in the Twin Cities, MN you can recommend to buy premium portioned popcorn at a good price so as to avoid shipping?

The best price/quality I've found online, with shipping, is directly from Paragon -- $22.75 for 6 oz/24 pack (shipped to MN). Their "generic" wrap is suppose to be identical with Country Harvest.

One of my favorite popcorns is "Black Jewell" because it is considered "hull-less" and it tastes good to boot! Hull-less meaning "not as many" hulls as regular popcorn varieties. I've found with some brands, an inordinate amount of hulls becomes a major issue for me. Of course, when using kernel corn, means you have to measure your own ingredients which may be an inconvenience for some. Cub Foods has carried 2 lb. bags of this popcorn. I haven't found it in other stores, yet.

"$22.75 for 6 oz/24 pack "

wow, includes shipping too? Where can we get that? :)

"$22.75 for 6 oz/24 pack "

wow, includes shipping too? Where can we get that? :)

Here's the link for Paragon Popcorn = http://www.paragonpopcornmachines.com/

OR (their affiliate site) = http://www.deusterco.com/

I hate hulls. This black Jewel stuff sounds like it might be worth a try. Where do you usually get it from?

I hate hulls. This black Jewel stuff sounds like it might be worth a try. Where do you usually get it from?

I got my last few bags from Cub Food grocery store in the city I live. They sometimes have a grocery store special on this. It is also available on the web at several merchants including the Black Jewell website below.

http://www.endofthecommons.com/page2.html
http://www.blackjewell.com/
http://www.applebarncidermill.com/product_detail.cfm?pid=149&cid=28
http://lowesfoods.elsstore.com/brandstores/305-black-jewell-popcorn/categories/2008-premium-popcorn-in-bags-jars

Thanks for the links. I will keep my eyes open to see if any of the local stores carry it.

Thanks,

the paragonpocornmachines.com link isn't for Paragon. That's not them. manufacturedfun.com is for paragon International. The other link is not a company website of Paragon.

cheaters!

Orville Redenbacher all the way....It's the best so far that I've tried with my Whirley Popcorn popper. Some of the amish stuff was just too tiny etc...

Orville, combined with the Wabash Family Farms "Real Theater Popping Oil" & "theater spice" salt is out of this world.

I eat it nearly every night lol. :)

I got my last few bags from Cub Food grocery store in the city I live. They sometimes have a grocery store special on this. It is also available on the web at several merchants including the Black Jewell website below.

http://www.endofthecommons.com/page2.html
http://www.blackjewell.com/
http://www.applebarncidermill.com/product_detail.cfm?pid=149&cid=28
http://lowesfoods.elsstore.com/brandstores/305-black-jewell-popcorn/categories/2008-premium-popcorn-in-bags-jars

I'm giving the Black Jewel a try as well. I just ordered 2 jars from their website. Was a little disappointed in the shipping though. They said that shipipng would be "$1-4" on the order page...but then I got zapped with $6.96 shipping to SC via UPS. Just a fair warning to anyone else that's interested in ordering from them.

I'll check back when I get the corn and try it out.

"An additional handling charge
of $1-$4 may be added"

Looks like they may add a handling charge for certain items.
Shipping charge of $1 to $4 in this day and time just isn't going to happen with any package going UPS. I think their lowest charge is around $6 for a 1 pound package.

"An additional handling charge
of $1-$4 may be added"

Looks like they may add a handling charge for certain items.
Shipping charge of $1 to $4 in this day and time just isn't going to happen with any package going UPS. I think their lowest charge is around $6 for a 1 pound package.

Yeah, I thought maybe that shipping has gone up since they last updated that page on the site. Maybe I misunderstood it but I thought I'd warn the board in case anybody else decided to order from them and misunderstood too.

I'm giving the Black Jewel a try as well. I just ordered 2 jars from their website. Was a little disappointed in the shipping though. They said that shipipng would be "$1-4" on the order page...but then I got zapped with $6.96 shipping to SC via UPS. Just a fair warning to anyone else that's interested in ordering from them.

I'll check back when I get the corn and try it out.

I think you'll end up with what some call the original "Black Jewel" popcorn if you bought the jars. Supposedly, it is the original "smaller kernel" popcorn. The 2# bags are the newer style "larger kernel" popcorn. Some sites have made comments between the two styles saying the larger kernel isn't the same as the original smaller kernel popcorn. Here's where some people that have become accustomed to the small version will not probably care for the larger variety and vice versa I suppose as well. I haven't tried the small kernel yet since only the 2# larger kernel bags are available where I live. The difference you'll probably find with this popcorn is that it should pop faster than regular popcorn because the hulls are so thin. The hulls basically shatter apart.

Cub Foods grocery is a division of Super Value foods. If you have any Super Value stores or affiliates in your area, it may be worth it to check it out and see if they have any available to save on shipping.

Unfortunately, buying popcorn supplies online, sometimes, seems to equate to larger than normal shipping charges. I have found this to be true after loading several types of items in shopping carts to see what the shipping charges will be. It generally seems like a "sticker shock" attack at some vendors for some reason. At least that is what I've found that it does appear to me to be higher than what an equivalent shipping charge would be at the same weight for a random product elsewhere.

Anyway, Super Value is affiliated with many different store names which you should easily be able to find by going to SV's website to check out names of their different stores.

Oh well, here: http://www.supervalu.com/

Hmmm....I just went back to the Black Jewell website and I did not see any of the 2 lb bags of the larger kernel. Wonder what is up with that. It also looks like the website has changed somewhat since I was there last.

Hmmm....I just went back to the Black Jewell website and I did not see any of the 2 lb bags of the larger kernel. Wonder what is up with that. It also looks like the website has changed somewhat since I was there last.

No, you basically can't buy anything other than the glass bottle, or the plastic canister on their website, unless I'm missing something.

Thanks for all the info, I'm looking forward to trying out the popcorn when it arrives. Popcorn hulls stuck in my teeth are one of the main things I dislike about having popcorn as a snack. And they're really really bad for dogs' teeth, and as we all know, it's hard to resist giving them a little since they love it so much.

No, you basically can't buy anything other than the glass bottle, or the plastic canister on their website, unless I'm missing something.

Popcorn hulls stuck in my teeth are one of the main things I dislike about having popcorn as a snack. And they're really really bad for dogs' teeth, and as we all know, it's hard to resist giving them a little since they love it so much.

Yeah....I don't care for a mouthful of them either. And yes, you can't forget about your best friend (dog) there either cause they like popcorn too! I can just see him sitting at your feet until you give him/her some. Oh boy....

I got a shipping confirmation on my order last night. Maybe I'll have 'em in time to try out over the weekend.

I got a shipping confirmation on my order last night. Maybe I'll have 'em in time to try out over the weekend.

I just stopped by the grocery store and they had the 2# larger kernel bagged popcorn at $2.69 each which appears to be good until September 6. I could have probably shipped them to you cheaper than Black Jewell did. Maybe not.

Oh well, no biggie.

I got over 3.5 lbs of popcorn from them for $16.95, so that equates to a little more than a $1 a batch on my 4oz machine. Not too bad. Plus, I like that they're in 2 seperate containers so the 2nd unopened canister will stay fresh since I don't pop a whole heckuva lot.

My main goal was just to try it out and see if "hull-less" really makes a difference.

Oh well, no biggie.

I got over 3.5 lbs of popcorn from them for $16.95, so that equates to a little more than a $1 a batch on my 4oz machine. Not too bad. Plus, I like that they're in 2 seperate containers so the 2nd unopened canister will stay fresh since I don't pop a whole heckuva lot.

My main goal was just to try it out and see if "hull-less" really makes a difference.

Yeah...I haven't had the original yet. Now this has got me wondering how much difference there is between the two styles?

I guess it took me awhile to get around to posting these pics, but I know I promised a reveiw of the Black Jewel popcorn discussed here.

I received my popcorn back at the end of June. Here's the canister...this is 14oz if I remember correctly, so just a little under a pound. It's plastic, but it's a nice and classy looking container:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d933b3127ccec4cd7ffb207000000040O00EYs2zVsycMQe3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

Here's a closeup of the kernels, a little strange looking color, huh?

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d933b3127ccec4cd725ee17b00000040O00EYs2zVsycMQe3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

Here's the kernals with a "mega pop" kernel for comparison. You can see the Black Jewel kernels are much much smaller (more on this later):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d933b3127ccec4ccc9b6002a00000040O00EYs2zVsycMQe3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

Here they are popped, again there is a mega pop version in the middle, but you can't see the difference as much as you can in the next pic, but you might notice the husks that are attached to each piece are black in color as opposed to brown:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d933b3127ccec4cd3d91a10b00000040O00EYs2zVsycMQe3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

Here you can really see the difference:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d933b3127ccec4cc746dc10700000040O00EYs2zVsycMQe3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

There's obviously a big difference in size, but how do they taste? Well, I can confirm that they taste quite good. My wife even commented saying, "this is some good popcorn." I also didn't notice any kernel husks lodged in my teeth the way the "regular" popcorn often does.

Now, the bad part. The smaller pop is a bit of a pain. I found myself just grabbing handfuls to eat rather than trying to grab individual pieces. On the plus side, people with smaller hands (women and especially children) probably wouldn't mind at all.

Pricewise it is a little more expensive as we discussed in the posts above, but I think it's worth it...but maybe not for that big get-together you're planning to have. Moreso for when you want popcorn for yourself and you don't want to deal with husks stuck in your teeth for days afterwards.

Hope this post helps and let me know if I can answer any questions!

I've read somewhere where the size of the original popcorn kernels were genetically engineered to be larger over the course of the years. Supposedly, this was to make you think that you were getting more quantity when in actuality it was more volume. Along with the flavacol, this is what some considered part of the "profitmaker formula." Maybe that is why that one brand is called MegaPop.

Again, the 2 pound bags have a bigger kernel. But, of course, no where near the large, yellow variety.

I grew up on Black Jewell popcorn. I discovered it once at the grocery back around 1985 or 86 and have been eating it until recently. They changed to the large kernel about a year or two ago. The first time I thought I just got a defective bag. I then bought some a few months later and it was still the large kernel. I later found out that they had switched. I haven't bought it since. To me it lacks the texture and flavor of the smaller kernel. I wasn't even aware you could still buy the small kernel....so that's good news...I may try to get some.

These I days I buy several different varities here (http://amishcountrypopcorn.com/bagsofpopcorn.html). My favorites are the midnight blue and the red. The midnight blue is pretty similar to the small kernel Black Jewell. The red is loaded with flavor and is a similar size to yellow but with very few hulls. I'm not a big fan of yellow popcorn after trying these other varieties. Yellow popcorn is too fluffy to me and has a bland taste. I do like white popcorn though.

I use coconut oil these days. I was raised like many to believe coconut oil was disasterous for your heart. It turns out that this was a propoganda campaign by the soybean industry. Tropical oils were favored up until the 80s because of their long shelflife. Coconut oil takes about 2 years to go rancid.

To make a long story short, they found adding hydrogen to soybean oil increased the shelflife and the campaign against tropical oils worked. Hydrogenated oils (loaded with transfat) became the norm and heart disease skyrocketed! No one bothered to question why tropical countries where coconut was the main source of oil had very low rates of heart disease!

country harvest. try it you will like it.

Anyone know of any online dealers of Lou Ana oils and toppings? I've found one or two, but it seems to be in large bulk quantities.

Thanks in advance.

Anyone know of any online dealers of Lou Ana oils and toppings? I've found one or two, but it seems to be in large bulk quantities.

Thanks in advance.

I do not know what LouAna oils and toppings you are refering to...but, I know Walmart SuperCenters have the LouAna coconut oil, but anything else is your guess is as good as mine. Of course, this is not an online source, but I suppose it could be if you wanted it to be. :D

I do not know what LouAna oils and toppings you are refering to...but, I know Walmart SuperCenters have the LouAna coconut oil, but anything else is your guess is as good as mine. Of course, this is not an online source, but I suppose it could be if you wanted it to be. :D


I'll check out Walmart.. though I'm not sure its what I was aiming for...

Here is the Concessions Product List I was looking at... my local Marcus Theatres showed me the Lou Ana popping oil they had in a case...

http://www.venturafoods.com/productsCat5.cfm?cat_id=29


I've found:

http://www.kwpopcorn.com/product.html

But once again a 35lbs bag... Will probably call tomorrow to see what pricing is like...

wow that website is pretty strange. And, you can't buy anything. Weird. :rolleyes:

For ease of use and excellent flavor, I'd pick the "Country Harvest" premeasured portion packs.

I have always used the 8-oz Mega Pop packages. This time around, I ordered Ricos brand from Sam's club. It should arrive today, and I can compare it to Mega Pop. It could be just re-branded for all I know.:D

Are you in Virginia?
I'm in Maryland and buying popcorn this time of year sometimes arrives as a big wet box! :(
Last month I got a Case of MegaPop with WHITE coconut oil (for making frosted popcorn) and the UPS driver had put it in a plastic bag becuase the oil had melted and soaked the carton. Apparently, the packs aren't totally air tight. I put the case in my cooooooool basement and everything firmed back up! :)

Yep, I guess I never thought of that. These packs usually last me half a year, so I guess the last time I bought would have been in the winter. I don't remember having this issue before, but I will go home at lunchtime and see if it is on the porch yet.

I never tried the white coconut oil, but I do have several cartons of flavors that I bought last year. I only used them a few times before the novelty wore off. They should last forever because they seem to be nothing but sugar and artificial flavoring :D

Ricos popcorn from Sam's Club arrived today. The oil side was melted as expected in this heat, but none of the packages leaked. They should return to a solid by morning in my cool basement.

Popped the first batch, and first impression is that it is not as good as Mega-Pop. The oil is different, more Oleic sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil in the Ricos brand. Mega-Pop is coconut oil. Doesn't have as good of an aroma when popping as Mega-Pop. Kernels are about the same size, finished pop is about the same. Ricos brand doesn't look as yellow (more white) when popped. No best used by or produced date on the Rico brand, as there is on the Mega-Pop

Some other facts that may be of interest: Serving size 3 tbsp unpopped
Mega-Pop / Ricos
Calories:170/160
Fat Calories: 90/90
Total Carbs: 19g/20g
Sodium: 370mg/260 mg
Fiber: 4g/5g
Vitamin A: 50%/ 0%
Everything else about the same.
Iron: 4%/ 2%

Will wait till I try it on others before making a final thumbs up/down

Country Harvest. try it you'll like it.
I used MegaPop for two years before trying the Country Harvest and Cinemagic brand portion packs, which, I find better tasting, crisper and less hard hulls and hard bits that you have to spit out with MegaPop. Just my opinion, but I used to wave the cheerleader flag for MegaPop but it's really just not as good as the other brands IMHO. :) I makeup and serve popcorn for dozens of folks each footbal season, and I stopped serving Megapop for it's tough to chew bits....

Just picked up a case of Pop Weaver 6oz packs for my 4oz kettle popper. Coconut oil, not sunflower. Popped my first batch an hour ago. WOW! No old maids. I can't believe how much popped corn I got from that little pack! I think if I made two packs, I would have trouble dumping my kettle. My basement smells like a theater. The popcorn is incredible - just like you would pay for at the theater.

36 packs for less than a buck a pack:D

Just picked up a case of Pop Weaver 6oz packs for my 4oz kettle popper. Coconut oil, not sunflower. Popped my first batch an hour ago. WOW! No old maids. I can't believe how much popped corn I got from that little pack! I think if I made two packs, I would have trouble dumping my kettle. My basement smells like a theater. The popcorn is incredible - just like you would pay for at the theater.

36 packs for less than a buck a pack:D

Pop Weaver + coconut oil = Mega Pop;)
(same brand!)

This is a very good and original question in AVSforum. Nice one, OP

We got MegaPop kits and really like them. Even a day or two later. :)

The biggest thing I notice that is different with the packs (other than the smell/taste) is the amount of oil. The popper came with a small measuring cup for oil, and the quantity of coconut oil is at least 5 times as much. This is probably why the packs pop so efficiently - more surface area contact with the hot oil. I will be giving away my jar of Orville Redenbacher :)

I have been using Country Harvest for a few months and we love it, it tastes JUST AS GOOD CRISPY AND FRESH as THE AMC/REGAL theater popcorn. Buy the pre-measured portion packs ofcourse which comes with the right amount of kernels and coconut oil and the delecious movie theater butter salt. I get 8Oz packets for my popper for about $23 for the 24 pack I believe. I am going to try the MegaPop brand next time just to experiment.

I use Country Harvest as well. LOVE the stuff.
I order the super size mega case because the price per pack is a good bit cheaper.

I use Country Harvest as well. LOVE the stuff.
I order the super size mega case because the price per pack is a good bit cheaper.

Midlife,
I have a MaxiMatic popper which works great and the popcorn (8 oz packets by Country) taste EXCELLENT! But about 10% of the kernels are not popping...is that normal? Or am I doing something wrong? Maybe I am not letting the oil heat up enough ot vice versa...please advise.

check the freshness date.
dryed out kernals is a big factor in kernals not popping. Popcorn should be stored at room temperature, I think.
I have a paragon machine and about 10% don't pop either. Partly because the rising popcorn just push out the other kernals.

check the freshness date.
dryed out kernals is a big factor in kernals not popping. Popcorn should be stored at room temperature, I think.
I have a paragon machine and about 10% don't pop either. Partly because the rising popcorn just push out the other kernals.

Oh I see, I would collect the unpopped kernels and try to re-pop them but its too much work seeing how cheap the Country Harvest packets are to begin with.

"Oh I see, I would collect the unpopped kernels and try to re-pop them but its too much work seeing how cheap the Country Harvest packets are to begin with"

go for it..:)

Let us know how it turns out. :-)

"Oh I see, I would collect the unpopped kernels and try to re-pop them but its too much work seeing how cheap the Country Harvest packets are to begin with"

go for it..:)

Let us know how it turns out. :-)


I will let you know as soon as I have all the time in the world to do so :D