It’s Popcorn Day—The Perfect Excuse To Binge On 5 Fave Popcorns While Binge Watching Online

Popcorn is that one snack food that somehow straggles the fine line between “junky” and “healthy.” Like potato chips or those orange-tinged curls—popcorn is addictive. Whether it’s gourmet popcorn in a tub, microwaved in a paper bag, or a bucket at the movie house, chances are you’ll be munching away until the very last kernel. Plus, absolutely nothing, and we truly mean nothing, beats snacking on a bowl of popcorn while watching a movie or streaming your favorite series online.

The good news is that popcorn is actually healthy, or okay, healthy-ish. It uses a minimal amount of oil, unlike potato chips, and usually comes without additives or preservatives, plus it’s gluten free, too. Many dietitians consider popcorn an acceptable snack, since it’s low in calories at around 30 calories for a cup of plain air-popped popcorn. But be warned, that can go up to over 150 calories for just one cup, depending on what you add on to it. Popcorn is also high in fiber, ranks low on the glycemic index, and has essential vitamins like folate, niacin, riboflavin, among other nutrients.

In honor of arguably the most perfect munchie this world knows, we’re celebrating Popcorn Day this January 19 with five favorite popcorn brands that make us happy.

 

Chef Tony’s Gourmet Popcorn

For a list of kiosks, visit cheftonys.com, FB:cheftonysphilippines

 

 

When Chef Tony’s burst into the scene many years ago, we didn’t quite know what to make of this gourmet brand. It felt “imported” with its use of high quality non-GMO kernels and fancy packaging, only to find out that Chef Tony’s is actually homegrown Pinoy (and yes, there really is a Chef Tony behind the brand). Every year, Chef Tony’s comes up with cooler and cooler flavors—think Swiss Miss Dark or Milk Chocolate, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Belgian Butter, and so on—available in hermetically-sealed tubs. However, we still find ourselves going back to our first loves, the Original Caramel or the Creamy Parmesan. Or for a nice and spicy kick, the 3X Spicy version of the Jalapeño Cheddar is a must.

 

Chicago Popcorn Shops

Branches in SM Megamall, Greenbelt 3, FB: chicagopopcornshops

Available in beautiful tin cans, this gourmet brand makes for a wonderful gift for the popcorn lover. Although a bit pricier than its competition, Chicago Popcorn does boast rounded kernels and a generous glaze using premium ingredients like caramel, real cheddar cheese, almonds, and cashews. It’s the sweet-and-salty Chicago Mix with caramel and cheese that we’re loving the most, or for something even more indulgent, the Chocolate Mix with just the right combo of chocolate and almonds.

 

 

Kettle Corn Pop n’ Mix

G/F Greenbelt 1, Makati City, FB: Kettle Korn PH

Kettle Korn is available everywhere, in supermarkets and convenience stores, with lots of flavors to choose from like Salted Caramel, Cheese, Sweet n’ Salty. But for a more customized Kettle Korn experience, this local brand recently opened a Pop n’ Mix concept stall where you can mix and match flavors in fun ways. The bestseller is the Cheeca Mix which combines glazed cheese and salted caramel. But you can also experiment with any combo of savory cheese, white cheddar, sour cream, salted caramel, even matcha—the choice is yours.

 

Smartfood White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn

Available at leading supermarkets

When it comes to popcorn in a bag, it really is hard to beat this brand—the gold standard in white cheddar popcorn. Proclaiming itself “America’s Favorite White Cheddar Popcorn,” this brand also boasts no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Air-popped for lightness, this popcorn finds a way to be both cheesy and creamy, while still retaining its crunch. It comes in a big bag, but we admit, it’s hard to stop once you open the bag and start munching away.

 

Newman’s Own Microwave Popcorn

Available at Rustan’s Supermarket

 

If weekends consist of staying home and binge watching on Netflix, then make sure to always have microwave popcorn in stock. While there are brands aplenty in supermarkets, we’re actually impressed with this good-for-you version made with no transfats, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, or artificial colors. Like with all Newman’s Own products, 100% of the profits go to charity. It’s even better for the planet, as its box is made of recycled paperboard. You don’t need to feel guilty when eating it plain with just a sprinkling of salt. But then again, no one will know if you end up slathering it with melted butter, and why not, a drizzling of truffle oil, too.

 

 

Photos and styling by Butchie Peña