If you want to add as little fat as possible while studying, loose popcorn kernels are a good choice – as long as you keep added fat to a minimum during preparation too. Ready-to-eat popcorn saves time, but it’s also worth checking the sugar content of sweet varieties. Microwave popcorn is quick to prepare; however, according to REWE, the sweet variety from REWE Beste Wahl that we checked contains 13 g of fat per 100 g.
With loose popcorn kernels, you decide whether to add oil or other ingredients, and how much. The fat values given by REWE for Müller's Mühle and Anadolu Mutfagi apply to the uncooked kernels; the values may differ for the finished popcorn.
If you want a snack with no preparation, ready-to-eat popcorn is an option. A microwave variety takes just a short time to prepare. Check the specific packaging for both: the sweet products listed by REWE differ significantly in their fat and sugar content.
For flavoured popcorn, the ingredients list and allergen information are particularly important. For example, the butter and coconut variety listed by REWE contains milk and soya lecithins. If you have specific requirements, always check the labelling on the pack you intend to buy.
First decide whether you want to prepare the popcorn yourself or eat it straight away. Then compare the nutrition information on a like-for-like basis: fat values for dry kernels don’t describe the popcorn after oil or toppings have been added.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added fat | Compare fat per 100 g only on the same basis, and factor in any oil or butter you plan to add to loose kernels. | I like to prepare popcorn myself so I can control how much fat I add. Around 36% of consumers would choose this control as their main reason for buying. |
| Ready to eat | For ready-to-eat popcorn, check the sugar per 100 g as well as the fat content and ingredients list. | During a short study break, I want to be able to open a bag without losing sight of the sugar content in sweet varieties. For around 29% of consumers, this would be their top priority. |
| Quick preparation | For microwave popcorn, read the nutrition information and the time and heat warnings on the pack. | Between study sessions, I have time to use the microwave, but not to prepare loose kernels. This quick preparation would be the main reason for buying for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific variety, especially for flavoured popcorn. | Before choosing a variety, I need to know whether its recipe meets my requirements. For around 14% of consumers, this check would come first. |
Nutrition information for uncooked popcorn kernels doesn’t include any oil, butter or toppings added later.
Only compare the values for dry kernels with one another, and consider how you’ll actually prepare the popcorn when making your choice.
A low fat value doesn’t tell you everything about a recipe. For example, one sweetened popcorn product listed by REWE contains 4,8 g of fat and 36,6 g of sugar per 100 g.
Check the sugar and saturated fat information as well as the ingredients list, rather than choosing solely on the basis of a claim on the front of the pack.
For the variety from REWE Beste Wahl that we checked, REWE warns that the bag, contents and steam can be hot.
Follow the preparation instructions and resting time on the pack, and open the bag carefully, pointing it away from your body.
One butter and coconut variety listed by REWE contains milk and soya lecithins. You can’t tell everything about its ingredients from the flavour description alone.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack before you buy.
Popcorn kernels for making at home: the 500-g pack listed by REWE is intended for use in a popcorn maker or for cooking in hot oil.
According to the ingredients list, the 500-g pack listed by REWE contains popcorn kernels for making at home.
The sweet microwave variety we checked can be prepared without cooking loose kernels.
The Caramel Meets Toffee variety we checked is ready-to-eat caramel popcorn.
These popcorn kernels are a good choice if you want to prepare your own snack during a study break and control the seasoning and added fat. How you prepare them will also affect the fat content of the finished snack.
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For a study break when you want to make your own popcorn and control how much fat you add. Check the pack size before buying: the product title says 500 g, while other information gives 5 kg (10 × 500 g). For nutrition comparisons, check whether the figures apply to uncooked kernels. If you have allergies, follow the information on the specific pack regarding peanuts and nuts.
No. The fat content depends on the specific variety and, for loose popcorn kernels, on how you prepare them. REWE gives fat values of 3,3 and 3,6 g per 100 g for two uncooked corn products, compared with 13 g for the sweet microwave variety we checked and 20 g for Heimatgut’s caramel variety. These figures relate to different products and preparation states.
No. One sweetened popcorn product listed by REWE contains 4,8 g of fat but 36,6 g of sugar per 100 g. So compare both nutrition values for the variety you want to buy. The consumer advice centre also recommends looking critically at the nutrition information when a product makes claims about its fat or sugar content.
Check the nutrition information before buying and follow the instructions on the specific pack when preparing it. For the sweet variety we checked, REWE warns that the bag, contents and steam can be hot. Allow it to stand for the stated time, if given, and open the bag pointing it away from your body.
Yes, depending on the recipe. The butter and coconut variety listed by REWE contains milk and soya lecithins. If these ingredients matter to you, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack rather than assuming you can tell what it contains from the flavour description.