Who should pay attention to their choice?

Travellers comparing calories

You want to compare packs by their kcal per 100 g while also taking into account how much popcorn you’ll actually eat on the go.

Travellers without a way to prepare it

You need popcorn that’s ready to eat straight from the pack. Unpopped microwave popcorn is only suitable if you can prepare it before your journey.

Travellers choosing between sweet and salty

You choose based on taste, but also want to check the sugar, salt and ingredients on the specific pack.

What should you look for when buying?

First, check whether you’d need to prepare the popcorn before your journey. When comparing ready-to-eat packs, look at the kcal per 100 g and the amount you plan to eat.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Calories and portion size Kcal per 100 g and the pack’s weight; if portion information is given, check the number of portions too. If I only want to eat some of the bag, I need to be able to work out the energy content of my portion. Around 46 % of consumers say calorie and portion control is their main concern.
Ready to eat without preparation Whether it’s a ready-to-eat pack or a microwave product; if it’s the latter, check what preparation is needed. For the wait at the gate, I need a snack I can open and eat without any equipment. This is the main concern for around 36 % of consumers.
Flavour and ingredients For sweet popcorn, check the sugar; for salty popcorn, check the salt per 100 g. Also check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack. I want to choose between sweet and salty without overlooking what’s in the product. Around 18 % of consumers focus primarily on flavour and ingredients when making this choice.

Common misconceptions

  • “Air-popped” automatically means fewer calories

    The term describes how the popcorn is made, not the whole recipe. XOX says its Party Popcorn Karamell XXL is air-popped; XOX lists 415 kcal and 57,3 g of sugar per 100 g.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then take into account how much you plan to eat.

  • Microwave popcorn is ready to eat as a travel snack

    Unpopped microwave popcorn needs to be prepared first, so it won’t meet your need for popcorn you can eat straight away at the gate.

    For a snack you can eat immediately, choose a ready-to-eat option or prepare microwave popcorn before you leave.

  • The information per 100 g describes the whole bag

    Using the same reference amount makes it easier to compare products, but it doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat from a larger pack.

    Check the pack’s weight and think about how much you want to take with you before you travel.

  • Treat creamy accompaniments like popcorn

    Different security rules apply to liquids and creamy foods in hand luggage than to dry snacks when departing from EU airports. If in doubt, the security staff make the final decision, according to the Federal Police.

    Take popcorn with you dry and in a sealed pack, and check the applicable hand luggage rules separately for dips or drinks.

Brands and retailers to consider

GUT&GÜNSTIG / EDEKA

In the product range considered, EDEKA offers both ready-to-eat sweet popcorn and salty microwave popcorn.

  • For its ready-to-eat sweet popcorn, EDEKA lists 385 kcal and 30 g of sugar per 100 g.
  • The salty microwave product needs to be prepared before eating; EDEKA lists 430 kcal and 2,5 g of salt per 100 g.

XOX

XOX offers ready-to-eat caramelised popcorn, including its Party Popcorn Karamell XXL.

  • Party Popcorn Karamell XXL is a ready-to-eat option.
  • The 500-g pack calls for careful portioning; XOX lists 415 kcal and 57,3 g of sugar per 100 g.

REWE

REWE’s popcorn selection includes both ready-to-eat options and products that need to be prepared.

  • You can narrow down the options by whether they’re ready to eat.
  • When comparing calories, the nutritional information on the specific pack you choose is what matters.

Chio

The REWE selection considered includes Chio sweet and salty microwave popcorn.

  • An option if you want to prepare your popcorn before travelling.
  • Unpopped microwave popcorn isn’t a ready-to-eat snack for waiting at the airport.

Popcorn products at Joybuy

Suitable products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take dry popcorn through airport security?

Dry popcorn isn’t a liquid or creamy snack, but if in doubt, security staff make the final decision about what you can take in your hand luggage. The Federal Police explains that separate rules apply to liquids, gels and creamy foods when departing from EU airports. Take popcorn with you dry and in a sealed pack, and check the rules for any liquid accompaniments separately.

Is microwave popcorn suitable for waiting at the airport?

Only if you prepare it before your journey. Unpopped microwave popcorn isn’t ready to eat; according to EDEKA, the salty GUT&GÜNSTIG microwave popcorn needs a microwave.

How do I compare the calories in different packs of popcorn?

First compare the kcal per 100 g, then consider how much you actually plan to eat. The per-100-g figure gives you a common basis for comparison; for a larger bag, the pack size or the stated portion size is also important.

Does “air-popped” automatically mean fewer calories?

No. You can’t work out the calorie content of the finished popcorn from the preparation method alone. XOX describes its Party Popcorn Karamell XXL as air-popped and lists 415 kcal and 57,3 g of sugar per 100 g. So check the nutritional information for the specific recipe.

What else should I check when travelling internationally?

Before you travel, check the destination country’s rules on bringing in food, and those of any transit countries if applicable. Airport security before departure and bringing food into your destination are separate matters; permission for one doesn’t mean it’s allowed for the other.