Which type is right for you?

A snack with no preparation

If you don’t want to use the hob or microwave late at night, ready-to-eat organic popcorn is the right choice. It’s still worth comparing the ingredients list and salt content before you buy.

Warm popcorn from the microwave

If you fancy warm popcorn and have a microwave, organic microwave popcorn could be a good option. Allow time to keep an eye on it, and take care when handling the hot bag.

Choose your own seasoning

If you’d like to control how much oil, salt and sweetness you add, you can cook organic popcorn kernels in a pan. You’ll also need oil and a little time at the hob.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you want something ready to eat, to use the microwave or to pop the corn yourself. Then check the organic labelling and compare ingredients and nutrition information for the type you’ve chosen.

Criterion What to check Who it matters to
Organic labelling Check the organic labelling on the pack and look for details of the organic inspection body. If organic production matters more to me than a particular variety, I want to be able to check the labelling. Around 33% of shoppers put this first.
Preparation required Choose between ready-to-eat popcorn, microwave popcorn and kernels for the pan. If you’re buying a microwave product, follow the appliance instructions. Late at night, I want to keep preparation to a minimum, so I decide whether I want to switch on an appliance at all. For around 27% of shoppers, the effort involved comes first.
Ingredients and quantity Compare sugar, salt and fat per 100 g, as well as pack size. If you’re popping the kernels yourself, remember to account for any ingredients you add. If I want to control the salt, sweetness or oil myself, I’m more willing to spend time at the hob. Around 20% of shoppers prioritise this control.
Flavour and ingredients Read the ingredients list to see whether the variety is sweet, salty or seasoned, and check the allergen information. I’m looking for a specific sweet or savoury snack and want to know which ingredients give it its flavour. This choice comes first for around 20% of shoppers.

Common mistakes when choosing and preparing popcorn

  • Assuming organic means low in sugar or salt

    Organic labelling doesn’t tell you about the nutritional values. REWE lists 28 g of sugar per 100 g for Organic Popcorn Pumpkin Spice, while Heimatgut says its Organic Salty Popcorn contains 1.5 g of salt per 100 g.

    Compare the sugar content in sweet varieties and the salt content in savoury ones. Also consider the fat and energy content, and how much you plan to eat.

  • Heating microwave popcorn without checking the instructions

    For Heimatgut Organic Salty Microwave Popcorn, REWE says cooking times depend on the microwave’s power. The bag and escaping steam will be hot after heating.

    Follow the instructions on the specific bag, keep an eye on it while it cooks, and open it carefully, pointing it away from your face.

  • Assuming organic labelling covers the packaging

    Consumer advice organisation Verbraucherzentrale points out that fluorinated chemicals may have been used in grease-resistant paper and cardboard packaging, such as microwave popcorn bags. This doesn’t show that any particular bag is contaminated.

    Assess the organic labelling and packaging information separately, and only use a microwave popcorn bag in accordance with its instructions.

  • Expecting popcorn kernels to be ready to eat

    Popcorn kernels need to be heated first. Davert’s instructions for its popcorn kernels describe cooking them in a pan with oil.

    If you want to eat straight away, choose ready-to-eat popcorn. If you’re popping it yourself, have a pan, lid and oil ready.

    You’ll need to add oil and, if you like, seasoning or sugar during preparation.

Brands and product ranges to help you choose

Heimatgut

Heimatgut sells ready-to-eat organic popcorn and organic microwave popcorn. The main difference is whether you can eat it straight away or need to heat it first.

  • According to Heimatgut, its Organic Salty Popcorn is made with corn, coconut oil and sea salt. The brand labels it vegan and gluten-free.
  • Heimatgut Organic Salty Microwave Popcorn, listed by REWE, needs to be prepared according to your microwave’s instructions and contains 2 g of salt per 100 g.

REWE Bio

Popcorn Pumpkin Spice is a ready-to-eat, sweetly spiced organic option for shoppers looking for this flavour.

  • REWE labels the variety reviewed as organic and vegan.
  • According to REWE, it contains 28 g of sugar and 477 kcal per 100 g. Organic labelling doesn’t replace checking the nutrition information.

Davert

Davert sells organic popcorn kernels for you to pop yourself, giving you the chance to choose the seasoning as you prepare them.

  • The manufacturer suggests both sweet and savoury ways to prepare them.
  • The kernels aren’t ready to eat. Davert also warns that they may contain traces of tree nuts and sesame.

Alnatura

Alnatura Organic Popcorn Kernels are another option for popping and seasoning yourself.

  • The Joybuy product description identifies the popcorn kernels as an organic product of Demeter quality.
  • Popcorn kernels aren’t suitable if you want a snack with no preparation. Check the information on the specific pack to help you choose.

Popcorn kernels at Joybuy

This selection is for shoppers who want to cook organic popcorn in a pan and season it themselves.

Alnatura Organic Popcorn Kernels, 500 g

Alnatura Organic Popcorn Kernels, 500 g

A good choice if you want to cook the popcorn in a pan and choose the seasoning yourself.

500 g of popcorn kernels; not ready to eat. You’ll need a pan and oil to prepare them.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if popcorn is organic?

Look for organic labelling on the pack and details of the organic inspection body. According to the German Federal Centre for Nutrition, the German organic seal identifies food produced, processed, imported and sold in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation. The word “natural” on its own isn’t proof of this.

Is organic popcorn automatically low in sugar or salt?

No. Organic labelling doesn’t tell you how much sugar or salt a product contains. REWE lists 28 g of sugar per 100 g for Organic Popcorn Pumpkin Spice and 2 g of salt per 100 g for the Heimatgut Organic Salty Microwave Popcorn it stocks. Check the nutrition information for the variety you’re considering.

What should I bear in mind with organic microwave popcorn?

Follow the instructions on the specific bag and take your microwave’s power into account. For Heimatgut Organic Salty Microwave Popcorn, REWE gives different cooking times for 600 to 1,000 W. Keep an eye on the popcorn as it cooks, and open the hot bag carefully to avoid getting escaping steam in your face.

Can I control how much salt I add to popcorn kernels?

Yes. With unseasoned popcorn kernels, you decide how much salt to add during or after cooking. Davert’s popcorn kernels are listed as containing 0.02 g of salt per 100 g when uncooked. The nutritional values of the finished snack also depend on the oil and any other ingredients you add.