If you want to control the amount of oil, sugar and salt for your Christmas party, popcorn kernels you prepare yourself are the best choice. Microwave popcorn saves preparation time, while ready-to-eat popcorn can be served straight away; for both, your choice depends largely on the finished recipe. When planning calories, check the nutritional information for the product as it will be eaten, and consider how much will actually end up in each bowl.
If you don’t want the amount of oil, sugar and salt to be fixed in advance, popcorn kernels give you the freedom to serve different toppings separately. You’ll then need to include the preparation and the ingredients you actually use in your portion planning.
Microwave popcorn can be prepared hot, while ready-to-eat popcorn can go straight into bowls. The best option for your party also depends on how much sugar, fat or salt your chosen variety contains.
If your guests have different preferences for sweet or salty popcorn, serving toppings separately can help. If allergies are a consideration, also check the ingredients and information on the specific packaging.
First decide whether you’d like to control the recipe yourself or save time on preparation. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of similar products, and work out how much popcorn you want to serve.
A good choice if: You want a base you can season yourself for sweet and savoury bowls.
The trade-off: You’ll need to prepare the popcorn yourself; oil and toppings change the nutritional values of the portion you serve.
A good choice if: You want to make hot popcorn without preparing the kernels and seasoning separately.
The trade-off: The recipe is fixed; if you’re making several bags, you’ll need time to prepare them one after another.
A good choice if: You want to put snacks on the table without any preparation.
The trade-off: You can’t adjust the ingredients or seasoning; with sweet varieties, it’s worth checking the sugar content.
When choosing popcorn for a Christmas party, different priorities may influence consumers’ decisions:
| Priority | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and fat | Compare energy and fat per 100 g for products in the same state as they’ll be eaten; if preparing it yourself, factor in the oil and portion size. | If I want to serve popcorn in portions, I also want to account for any added oil myself. For around 33 % of consumers, this control is the main priority when choosing. |
| Sweetness and sugar | Check the sugar per 100 g and the ingredients in sweet varieties; remember to include any extra toppings. | If I’m serving a sweet bowl, I want to know how much sugar is already in the popcorn. Around 20 % of consumers say this is their main consideration when choosing. |
| Savoury seasoning | Check the salt per 100 g in pre-seasoned varieties, or choose the seasoning yourself. | I want to offer something savoury without judging the salt content by the word ‘salty’ alone. This is the top priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Check the preparation required and bag size against how you plan to serve your guests. | If the snack bowls need to be ready quickly, I’m more willing to accept a fixed recipe. Around 27 % of consumers put ease of serving first. |
The 341 kcal per 100 g quoted by REWE for Seeberger popcorn kernels refers to the kernels before preparation. It doesn’t include oil or toppings as part of a finished portion.
Compare products in the same state as they’ll be eaten, and take into account what you add to each bowl when preparing popcorn yourself.
Recipes vary even within these categories: REWE lists 22 g of sugar per 100 g for REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn, while EDEKA states that GUT&GÜNSTIG salty microwave popcorn contains 2,5 g of salt per 100 g.
Check the sugar or salt content on the packaging rather than assuming the nutritional values from the flavour description.
With the REWE microwave popcorn tested, the bag and escaping steam may be hot after preparation; the right cooking time depends on your microwave.
Follow the instructions on the specific pack and open the bag carefully, pointing it away from your body.
Even a product with popcorn kernels as its only ingredient may carry a ‘may contain’ warning: REWE states that Seeberger popcorn kernels may contain traces of tree nuts and peanuts.
Check the packaging of the product you buy and keep it so guests can read the information before eating.
These examples show different types of popcorn. Their nutritional values apply to the specific products mentioned and don’t mean that an entire brand is a lower-calorie choice.
Popcorn kernels for preparing yourself.
Sweet microwave popcorn to prepare hot.
Salty microwave popcorn with a fixed seasoning.
Sweet, ready-to-eat popcorn that needs no preparation before serving.
This selection is for hosts who want to prepare popcorn themselves for their Christmas party and serve the seasoning separately.
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For homemade popcorn when you want to choose the seasoning separately for your guests.
The stated saucepan preparation method uses oil. Before buying, check whether you’re choosing a single pack or a multipack; if you have allergies, the information on the specific packaging is what matters.
No. The calories in a serving depend on the recipe, any added oil or toppings, and the portion size. Compare energy values per 100 g only for products in the same state as they’ll be eaten; unpopped kernels and ready-to-eat popcorn aren’t directly comparable.
For packaged popcorn, the nutrition table per 100 g can help you compare similar products. The German Food Federation lists energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt as information provided in nutritional labelling. Check the ingredients list as well if you want to know what has been used to sweeten or prepare a variety.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on each specific pack, even if you’re buying plain popcorn kernels. The German Food Federation explains that the 14 most common allergenic ingredients and substances must be highlighted in the ingredients list on pre-packed foods; additional ‘may contain’ warnings may also be important when choosing a product.
Plan the number of batches according to the bag size and the microwave available. Follow the power, cooking time and opening instructions on each bag; hot steam may escape when you open it.