Last fall my husband and I started eating popcorn for a snack in the
evening. It was less calories than chips or cookies! We started
out buying microwave popcorn because we didn't have a popcorn popper.
Some brands were better than others, but one day I was going to make a bag
and I took a look of the ingredients. From there I went on the
internet to investigate further. What I found was not good:
A few reasons microwave popcorn is not healthy to eat:
1. Oil. Many microwave popcorns use hydrogenated oils, a type of trans
fat that is bad for your heart and raises your cholesterol.
2. Preservatives. Most microwave popcorn use
preservatives that prevent the ingredients from going rancid and to extend
shelf life. Some of these preservatives have been linked to vision,
lung and behavioral problems, and while concrete proof has not been found
yet, it is something to think about.
3. The Bag. Strangely enough one of the worst things
about microwave popcorn is the bag that it comes in. They have
chemicals in them that prevent the grease from soaking through the
paper. Chemical like PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) that melt down into an acid
that is a known carcinogen and has been linked to cancer according to the
United Stated Environmental Protection Agency Report in 2017.
There are more reasons, why premade microwave popcorn is not good for you,
but I think you get the idea. I was very uncomfortable eating it after
that, so I decided to find another way to make our popcorn that would be
more natural. I had decided to buy a free standing popcorn making
machine because I thought it was the only way to go, other than cooking it
on the stove, something I did not want to do. I knew there was going
to be a problem with finding counter space for the popper, as my counters
were pretty full already, but I could not see any way around it.
I was shopping around on Amazon, surprised at how much the poppers
cost. Most were between $35 and $50, some as high as $70. I had
made my choice and was getting ready to order it when I saw a silicone
popcorn popper that you put in the microwave, at the bottom of the
page. I remember thinking, that would be so much easier. It even
folded down so it was easy to store!. I clicked on it and went
straight for the comments. That's where you find out the real info on
anything you buy on Amazon.
First of all, it got 4.6 our of 5 stars from 33,562 reviews, which is
excellent. Reading though the comments, I was pretty impressed, there
were almost no bad reviews! Most people highly recommended it!
The best part was it was only $12! I was sold, and I ordered
it.
When it arrived, we tried it out. There are circles on the inside
that show you how much popcorn to put in it for half a bowl or a full
bowl. It had a lid that you put on (make sure it is not fitted air
tight as it needs air to pop) and easily folds down to about 3 inches tall,
so it is easy to store. You can use oil, butter or nothing when you
are making your popcorn. We use a little oil or butter because it
helps the salt to stick to the kernels more easily. So we put it in
the microwave and hoped for the best......
The popcorn was delicious!
We were amazed at how good it was. It was buttery, lightly salted
and crispy. I felt like we had hit the jackpot! There were no
burned pieces and at the bottom there were very few uncooked
kernels.
We have used it most evenings since then, for about two months and it
has never failed to perform perfectly. After experimenting with
different oils and popcorn brands, we have found that these are the
ingredients that we love best:
I really cannot recommend this popcorn popper highly enough. It's
awesome! If you fill it to the top, it makes 15 cups and that's enough
for you and some friends. It's dishwater safe, and unbreakable.
It really is a wonderful item and also makes a great gift, perfect for
parents looking for a healthy snack to make for the kids! You really
can't beat it for the price!
If you would like to see this popper in action, below is a how to video you
may want to watch:
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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