Hosts short on preparation time
If you want to serve a snack straight into bowls without using a pan, ready-to-eat organic popcorn is the ideal option. Compare the pack size with the number of guests and the other snacks on the table.
Which option is right for you?
Hosts who want to season it themselves
Organic popping corn is a good starting point if you want to prepare several bowls and choose your own sweet or savoury seasonings. You’ll need time and somewhere to cook it.
Hosts catering for guests with different needs
If your guests need to avoid certain ingredients, check the information for each variety. An organic label is no substitute for checking the ingredients list or advice on allergens, vegan production or gluten-free status.
What should you look for when buying?
For your New Year’s Eve party, first decide whether you want to serve popcorn straight away or prepare it yourself. Then you can check the pack size, ingredients and advice for your guests.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to serve | Distinguish ready-to-eat popcorn from popping corn, and check the pack size and stated number of portions. | If there’s no time to pop the corn between other preparations, you’ll want a snack that’s ready to put on the table. For around 33 % of consumers, convenience comes first. |
| Ingredients and dietary suitability | Check the ingredients, sugar and fat per 100 g, as well as allergen and may-contain advice for the specific variety. | When catering for a mixed group, I want to avoid choosing a variety for everyone based on its organic label alone. Ingredients and dietary suitability are the main buying consideration for around 42 % of consumers. |
| Quantity and seasoning | Consider the pack size of the popping corn, whether you have somewhere to cook it and which additional ingredients you’ll need. | If you want to season several bowls differently and decide how much to make, popping corn is a better choice. This flexibility is the priority for around 25 % of consumers. |
Common shopping mistakes
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Assuming organic means low in sugar
An organic label doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains. REWE lists 28 g of sugar per 100 g for both Heimatgut Organic Sweet Popcorn and REWE Bio Popcorn Pumpkin Spice.
For sweet varieties, compare the nutritional information per 100 g, especially sugar, fat and saturated fatty acids.
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Only checking the front of the pack when you have allergies
Popping corn can also carry may-contain advice: Davert states that its popping corn may contain traces of cashew nuts, almonds, other tree nuts and sesame.
For each variety you choose, check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and may-contain advice on the specific pack.
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Counting only the number of bags
Ready-made popcorn and unpopped popping corn don’t provide the same amount to serve. REWE lists a 90-g pack of Heimatgut Organic Sweet Popcorn as three portions; this isn’t a standard serving size for other varieties.
Plan according to the product type, pack size, number of guests and other snacks.
If you make popcorn yourself, you’ll also need to allow time to cook it and buy the ingredients for your chosen seasoning.
Brands to consider
REWE Bio
REWE Bio Popcorn Pumpkin Spice is a seasonally seasoned ready-to-eat variety labelled organic and vegan.
- REWE’s product information lists the ingredients and nutritional values for the 90-g variety.
- The Pumpkin Spice seasoning has a distinctive flavour; check it’s right for your guests before buying.
Heimatgut
The brand offers ready-to-eat organic popcorn in a range of flavours and pack sizes.
- For its 90-g Organic Sweet Popcorn, REWE lists corn, cane sugar and coconut oil as ingredients; Heimatgut describes the variety as vegan and gluten-free.
- REWE lists 28 g of sugar per 100 g for this sweet variety. Check the nutritional information and labels for each other variety separately.
Davert
Davert offers organic popping corn for you to prepare and season yourself.
- With its 500-g pack of popping corn, you can choose how to season it once it’s cooked.
- Davert states that the product may contain traces of cashew nuts, almonds, other tree nuts and sesame. The nutritional information for unpopped corn doesn’t represent the finished popcorn with oil or toppings.
Organic popping corn at Joybuy
This selection is for hosts who want to make popcorn for New Year’s Eve and season it to their liking.
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Alnatura organic popping corn, 500 g
For hosts who want to make and season their own popcorn and have somewhere to cook it.
Pack size: 500 g of popping corn.
Frequently asked questions
What does the organic label on popcorn mean?
It relates to organic production and labelling, not necessarily to nutritional values or whether the product is suitable for guests with allergies. When choosing a product, also check the ingredients list, nutritional information and allergen advice on the specific pack.
Is organic popcorn automatically vegan or gluten-free?
No. Check these details for each variety individually. Heimatgut describes its Organic Sweet Popcorn as vegan and gluten-free, but that doesn’t tell you anything about other varieties. If you have allergies, it’s also important to check the ingredients and may-contain advice on the pack.
How should I store popcorn until New Year’s Eve?
Store unopened packs according to the instructions and keep them away from moisture and heat. Seal opened packs of ready-to-eat popcorn carefully so it doesn’t lose its crunch when exposed to moisture. According to Lebensmittelverband Deutschland, the best-before date indicates quality when the stated storage conditions are followed; it isn’t a general expiry date.