Ready-to-eat popcorn is a practical choice for a trip to a Christmas market if you don’t have the means to prepare it there. Compare fat, sugar and salt per 100 g rather than relying on the front of the pack. Popcorn kernels give you more control over what you add, but you’ll need to prepare them before you set off. Hot microwave popcorn requires a suitable microwave, and it isn’t lower in fat simply because it’s cooked in a microwave.
You want to take popcorn on your trip without having to prepare it first. For ready-to-eat varieties, the fat content per 100 g helps you compare options; sugar and other nutritional values are separate factors to consider.
You can make popcorn in a pan or popcorn maker before your trip and want to measure out the oil, sugar, salt and seasonings yourself. Remember to include any extras when assessing the finished snack.
You have access to a microwave before eating and want hot popcorn. Check the preparation instructions as well as the nutritional information, and take care of the hot steam when opening the bag.
A good choice if: You want to take popcorn to a Christmas market without needing a microwave or somewhere to cook.
The trade-off: A lower fat value on its own tells you nothing about the sugar content.
A good choice if: You have access to a suitable microwave and want to make hot popcorn shortly before eating.
The trade-off: For an outing, you’ll need to prepare it before setting off; the bag and steam will be hot after heating.
A good choice if: You want to choose what goes into your popcorn and can prepare it before your trip.
The trade-off: You’ll need a pan or popcorn maker, as well as time to prepare it; added oil changes the fat content of the finished popcorn.
Compare nutritional information on the same per-100 g basis. The needs below relate to consumers choosing popcorn for an evening at a Christmas market or a similar winter outing.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content of ready-to-eat popcorn | Compare fat per 100 g; don’t confuse a lower comparative value with a ‘low fat’ claim. | I want to choose a ready-to-eat snack with a clearly lower fat value. Around 36% of consumers put this fat comparison first when choosing ready-to-eat popcorn. |
| Making it yourself | Choose popcorn kernels and a suitable preparation method; take oil and other additions into account when considering the finished popcorn. | If I make the popcorn beforehand, I want to choose the ingredients myself. Having control over what’s added is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Sugar, salt and saturated fat | Check these figures alongside fat per 100 g; if the information is given per portion, also check what the portion size is. | A low fat value isn’t enough if I also want to consider sweetness and salt. This balance is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quick preparation while hot | Check that you have a suitable microwave, and look at the wattage, cooking time and instructions for opening the bag. | I want to prepare hot popcorn shortly before eating and can use a microwave to do so. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this. |
The Verbraucherzentrale (German consumer advice centre) says that ‘low fat’ means no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The ready-to-eat varieties listed by REWE, with 4.5 g, 4.8 g and 5.9 g of fat per 100 g, are above this limit.
Describe a variety with a lower value as comparatively lower in fat rather than calling it ‘low fat’.
REWE lists Bang! Bang! popcorn with butter and coconut flavour as containing 4.5 g of fat and 45 g of sugar per 100 g. For Chio Sweet & Salty, REWE gives 5.9 g of fat, 51 g of sugar and 1.8 g of salt per 100 g.
Compare fat, sugar, saturated fat and salt on the same per-100 g basis.
A microwave popcorn bag isn’t a ready-to-eat snack for your trip before it’s heated. Hot steam may escape from the sweet REWE product checked.
Prepare it before setting off, following the instructions on the pack, or choose popcorn that’s already ready to eat.
Oil and toppings are part of the finished snack when you make popcorn yourself. So the fat value for unpopped kernels won’t necessarily reflect the finished portion.
Decide what you’ll add before preparing the popcorn, and assess it with those ingredients included.
The sweet microwave popcorn checked is an option to prepare before your trip if you have access to a microwave.
Seeberger sells popcorn kernels for making your own, as well as sweet microwave popcorn. The right type for you depends on whether you want to choose the additions yourself or make popcorn in a microwave bag.
The Sweet & Salty popcorn checked is ready to eat, so you won’t need to prepare it before your trip.
These popcorn kernels are suitable for preparing before a trip to a Christmas market if you want to choose the additions yourself. They aren’t intended as an instant, ready-to-eat snack.
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For anyone who wants to make popcorn themselves before a trip and choose what goes into it. The pack contains 500 g of popcorn kernels. Make sure you have a suitable way to prepare them and allow enough time; added oil and toppings change the nutritional values of the finished popcorn.
If you have a peanut or tree nut allergy, check the labelling on the specific pack before buying.
The figures checked don’t support that claim: the Verbraucherzentrale says that ‘low fat’ means no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The three ready-to-eat varieties listed by REWE contain 4.5 g, 4.8 g and 5.9 g of fat per 100 g respectively. Comparing one variety with a higher-fat option is not the same as meeting this definition.
No, not if you also want to consider sugar, salt or saturated fat. REWE lists Bang! Bang! popcorn as containing 4.5 g of fat and 45 g of sugar per 100 g; compare the nutritional values that matter to you on the same per-100 g basis.
Popcorn kernels are a good fit if you have time before your trip, a pan or popcorn maker, and want to choose the additions yourself. Seeberger suggests both methods for preparing its popcorn kernels; remember to include oil and toppings when considering the finished snack.
You’ll need a suitable microwave and should follow the instructions for the specific product, including the power setting, cooking time and how to open the bag. For its sweet variety checked, REWE warns about hot steam and advises opening the bag facing away from your body.