Shoppers comparing nutritional values and portions
For a night in watching a series together, you may want to keep an eye on energy, sugar, fat and salt. Start by comparing the figures per 100 g, then decide how much you’ll put in your bowl.
Who should pay attention to which comparison?
Students who don’t yet know what kitchen equipment they’ll have
If you’re not sure whether your new flat will have a microwave or cooking facilities, the preparation method is an important buying consideration: ready-to-eat popcorn needs no equipment, while microwave bags and popcorn kernels require suitable appliances.
Flatmates with a clear flavour preference
Whether you prefer to share sweet or savoury popcorn could determine your choice. Still, check the nutritional values for the specific variety: a low sugar content alone tells you nothing about fat, salt or energy.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide whether you want popcorn that’s ready to eat or whether your flat has the equipment needed to prepare it. Then compare varieties in the same category using the nutritional information per 100 g and your planned portion size.
| Criteria | What to check | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and nutritional values | Compare kcal, sugar, fat and salt per 100 g. Also take into account how much you plan to eat. | When I dish up a portion for a flat night in, I don’t want to judge sweet and savoury varieties on the basis of just one nutritional value. For around 50% of consumers, this comparison is their main reason for buying. |
| Preparation | Check whether you have a microwave or suitable cooking facilities; follow the pack instructions for microwave bags. | When I move in, I don’t want to buy a bag that I can’t prepare without a suitable microwave. Around 30% of consumers place most importance on a preparation method that suits the equipment in their flat. |
| Flavour for sharing | Choose between sweet and savoury, and check the ingredients list and nutritional information for the variety you pick. | When we share popcorn, we want a flavour we all enjoy, without me overlooking what’s in the recipe. For around 20% of consumers, this is the deciding factor. |
Common selection mistakes
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Assuming fewer kcal means ‘low calorie’
A lower figure compared with other options doesn’t automatically make a product low in calories. The product information from REWE and EDEKA for the packaged varieties covered here ranges from 413 to 450 kcal per 100 g.
Compare figures on the same basis and take into account how much you actually plan to eat.
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Looking only at calories in sweet popcorn
Recipes vary: REWE lists 52 g of sugar per 100 g for Chio Popcorn sweet, compared with 22 g per 100 g for REWE Beste Wahl microwave popcorn sweet.
For sweet varieties, check both the energy and sugar figures, and dish up the amount you want before sharing your snack.
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Choosing savoury popcorn based on its sugar content alone
GUT&GÜNSTIG salty microwave popcorn, listed by EDEKA, contains 1.1 g of sugar, but also 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g.
For savoury varieties, compare fat, salt and energy as well, rather than assuming the flavour tells you everything about the nutritional values.
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Buying microwave bags without checking what equipment you have
Without a microwave, you can’t prepare a microwave bag as intended. REWE also warns that its microwave popcorn and the steam inside may be hot after heating.
Before buying, check what equipment is available, follow the instructions on the specific pack and open a heated bag carefully, facing it away from your body.
Brands to help you choose
Chio
Chio Popcorn sweet, 120 g, listed by REWE, is ready to eat and doesn’t need a microwave.
- REWE lists 413 kcal per 100 g for this variety.
- At 52 g of sugar per 100 g, the energy figure alone isn’t enough to tell you whether it suits your priorities.
REWE Beste Wahl
The sweet microwave variety featured here is listed by REWE as a pack of three 100 g bags.
- For comparison, REWE lists 417 kcal, 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g.
- You’ll need a microwave; take care when opening the bag after preparation because the steam will be hot.
GUT&GÜNSTIG
The lightly salted microwave popcorn listed by EDEKA is a savoury option.
- EDEKA lists 1.1 g of sugar per 100 g for this variety.
- It also contains 430 kcal, 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g; low sugar doesn’t automatically mean lower energy here.
Heimatgut
Heimatgut Organic Popcorn Sweet, listed by REWE, is a sweet variety that’s ready to eat.
- REWE lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- The figures also include 450 kcal, 17 g of fat and 28 g of sugar per 100 g. The organic label doesn’t replace a comparison of nutritional values.
Popcorn and popcorn kernels at Joybuy
Here you’ll find popcorn kernels to season yourself, as well as sweet popcorn that’s ready to eat or made in the microwave. With popcorn kernels, the nutritional values of your finished portion will also depend on the ingredients you add during preparation.
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Alnatura Organic Popping Corn Kernels, 500 g
Popcorn kernels are a good choice if you want to season them yourself and have a pan available.
The product name states 500 g. If you use oil during preparation, the nutritional values of the uncooked kernels won’t be the same as those of your finished portion.
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Cinema Sweet Popcorn, 150 g
This ready-to-eat sweet popcorn is worth considering if your flat doesn’t have the facilities to prepare popcorn.
The product name states 150 g. Check the pack’s nutritional information when deciding on your portion, and watch out for unpopped kernels while eating.
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Seeberger Popcorn Corn Kernels, 500 g according to the title
Popcorn kernels are ideal if you want to choose your own seasoning and can use a pan or popcorn maker.
Before buying, check the pack size of the specific variety, as the product information gives different quantities. If you have allergies, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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Valle del Sole Popcorn Maize Butterfly, 900 g according to the title
These popcorn kernels are suitable for cooking in a pan if you want to choose the seasoning yourself.
Check the pack size of the specific variety before buying, as the product information differs. If you prepare the kernels with oil, the nutritional values of the finished portion may differ from those of the kernels alone.
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Chio Sweet Popcorn, 120 g
This sweet microwave variety is worth considering if your flat has a microwave.
The product name states 120 g. Follow the preparation instructions on the specific pack and compare its sugar and energy figures rather than treating it as the same as ready-to-eat Chio popcorn.
Frequently asked questions
Is popcorn with fewer kcal automatically low in calories?
No. A lower figure than another variety only tells you how they compare. The figures from REWE and EDEKA for the packaged products covered here range from 413 to 450 kcal per 100 g; the recipe and the amount you eat also matter when choosing.
Can the Nutri-Score help me choose popcorn?
The Nutri-Score can be a useful extra when comparing products in the same category, but it doesn’t replace the ingredients list or nutritional information. According to the consumer advice centre, manufacturers can choose whether to use it, so its absence alone doesn’t tell you anything about a product.
What should I bear in mind when making microwave popcorn in a new flat?
First check whether there’s a microwave, then follow the preparation instructions for the bag you’re using. REWE advises opening its microwave popcorn bag carefully and facing it away from your body to avoid the hot steam.
Why should I read the popcorn pack if I have allergies?
Always check the specific pack for ingredients and allergen information. Look out for precautionary allergen statements too: for example, REWE says that ja! Caramelised Popcorn may have been in contact with milk.