Picnickers planning portions
If popcorn is one of several foods on the picnic table, you may want to decide how much to take before packing and choose which ingredients to add yourself.
Who needs to consider what when choosing
Sweet popcorn fans keeping an eye on nutrition
You don’t want to rule out sweet popcorn, but you’d like to compare the energy, sugar and fat per 100 g in similar products.
Savoury popcorn fans keeping an eye on fat and salt
You prefer a savoury option and want to check the fat, salt and amount you’ll actually be taking with you before you buy.
What to look for when choosing
Make popcorn from kernels
A good fit if: You want to decide the quantity and how much sugar, salt and oil to add.
Bear in mind: You’ll need to prepare and cool the popcorn before the picnic. Any ingredients you add will affect the nutritional values of the finished portion.
Sweet microwave popcorn
A good fit if: You want to prepare a sweet option quickly and compare its nutrition information in advance.
Bear in mind: The recipe determines the sugar and fat content. The hot bag also needs time to cool before you can transport it.
Salty microwave popcorn
A good fit if: You want a ready-made savoury option and plan to check the fat and salt on the pack.
Bear in mind: Salty doesn’t automatically mean lower in energy or fat than sweet.
| Criterion | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Compare similar products by kcal per 100 g and decide how much to take. Don’t compare recipe values per portion directly with values per 100 g. | If I’m sharing popcorn with other picnic food, I want to know how much to pack for myself. For around 36% of consumers, controlling energy intake and portion size comes first. |
| Sugar in sweet popcorn | For sweet varieties, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and the ingredients list. | I want to take sweet popcorn with me, but weigh up the sugar content of different varieties. Around 29% of consumers put checking sugar first. |
| Fat and salt in salty popcorn | For salty varieties, compare fat, saturates and salt per 100 g. | For a savoury snack, I want to know how much fat and salt it already contains. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Preparation and transport | Follow the preparation and storage instructions. Let the popcorn cool before packing it in a dry container. | If I’m preparing it shortly before setting off, the popcorn needs time to cool and should be easy to transport. Around 14% of consumers make this their most important selection criterion. |
Common mistakes when comparing and preparing popcorn
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Assuming all popcorn is low in calories
The recipe makes a difference: EDEKA lists 430 kcal and 21 g fat per 100 g for its salty GUT&GÜNSTIG microwave popcorn; REWE lists 417 kcal and 13 g fat per 100 g for its sweet Beste Wahl microwave popcorn.
Compare the details on the specific pack per 100 g. If you make popcorn yourself, remember to include oil and any other ingredients.
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Checking only the sugar or kcal
One figure alone doesn’t tell you the whole story. REWE lists 22 g sugar per 100 g for the sweet variety mentioned above; EDEKA lists 2.5 g salt per 100 g for the salty variety.
For sweet products, check the fat too. For salty products, also look at fat, saturates and salt.
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Relying on the Nutri-Score alone
According to the Verbraucherzentrale, the Nutri-Score is useful for comparing products within the same category or with the same intended use. It doesn’t replace the ingredients list or nutrition information.
Compare similar popcorn products using the same reference amount and check the values that matter to you.
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Packing microwave popcorn while it’s still hot
The bag, its contents and the escaping steam can be hot when you open it. Warm popcorn isn’t suitable for packing in a dry container for your trip.
Prepare the popcorn according to the pack instructions, open the bag carefully and let the contents cool completely before packing.
Brands and retailers to help guide your choice
REWE Beste Wahl
REWE offers a sweet microwave popcorn option under its own brand, with an ingredients list and nutrition information.
- For the 300 g pack, REWE lists 417 kcal, 13 g fat and 22 g sugar per 100 g.
- Check the details on the specific pack. A product image alone isn’t enough to assess the Nutri-Score.
GUT&GÜNSTIG (EDEKA)
The lightly salted microwave popcorn is described as a pack containing 3 × 100 g.
- EDEKA lists 430 kcal, 21 g fat and 2.5 g salt per 100 g for this product.
- Always check the details on the packaging of the product you’re buying. EDEKA notes that they may differ from the information on its website.
Lidl
Lidl explains how to prepare popcorn kernels in the microwave and season them afterwards to taste.
- Making it yourself lets you choose which ingredients to add.
- To compare nutrition, you’ll need the information for the popcorn kernels you choose and should factor in any added ingredients.
Lorenz
Popcorn is included in Lorenz’s wider product range.
- The brand is one to consider when looking for popcorn products.
- You can only tell whether a specific product meets your criteria by checking its ingredients and nutrition information.
Popcorn kernels at Joybuy
These popcorn kernels are an option if you want to make and portion your own popcorn before the picnic. To compare energy information and check for allergens, look at the details on the specific pack. Any ingredients you add are part of the finished portion too.
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Seeberger popcorn kernels, 500 g
For making and portioning popcorn before your picnic. The product name describes popcorn kernels in a 500 g pack. Check the nutrition and allergen information on the specific packaging, and remember to factor in any ingredients you add when preparing it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the calorie information for different popcorn products?
For similar products, compare the energy in kcal per 100 g, then take into account how much you plan to eat. If you make popcorn yourself, remember to include oil and any other added ingredients. A recipe value per portion uses a different reference amount from the pack information per 100 g.
Is sweet microwave popcorn always higher in calories than salty popcorn?
No, you can’t tell from the flavour alone. REWE lists 417 kcal, 22 g sugar and 13 g fat per 100 g for its sweet Beste Wahl microwave popcorn; EDEKA lists 430 kcal, 21 g fat and 2.5 g salt per 100 g for its salty GUT&GÜNSTIG microwave popcorn. What matters is the information for the specific products you’re comparing.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to help me choose popcorn?
No, check it alongside the ingredients list and nutrition information. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends comparing the Nutri-Score only for products in the same category or with the same intended use. You can also check sugar, fat and salt individually.
How do I take microwave popcorn to a summer picnic?
Prepare it according to the pack instructions and let it cool completely before packing. Open the hot bag carefully to avoid the escaping steam, then transport the cooled popcorn in a dry container with a secure lid.
What should I check about allergens in popcorn?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific packaging, especially if you’re buying for someone with an allergy or intolerance. Don’t assume the labelling for another variety of popcorn also applies to this product.