If you want a diet snack that is delicious and healthy, then grab a popcorn. Popcorn was first introduced at carnivals and fairs until it became popular as snacks. These days you can see it offered as snacks in theaters and sports venues, served at parties, or you can simply buy it at supermarkets or grocery stores when you crave for it.
The challenge is when you cook popcorn at home, and you are left with more after everyone has had their fill. You might wonder how to store it and keep it fresh so you will still enjoy it the next day or maybe even after a day or two. Can you keep popcorn leftover refrigerated or just leave it on your table sealed in a food container? Will it be good to reheat it?
Yes, it will still be good to reheat your popcorn and it is convenient to reheat popcorn leftover in a microwave or in an oven. When you leave the popcorn at room temperature, you need not reheat it to enjoy it. Keep reading this article and you will learn more on how to properly store and reheat your popcorn.
The Ultimate Guide to Popcorn – Storing and Reheating
Most kids and even adults enjoy eating popcorn while watching movies at the cinema or at home binging on their favorite TV series or sports game. Popcorn is a very affordable snack and also easy to prepare at home. So, let us learn more about popcorn.
Popcorn Explained
Popcorn is a product of popping corn kernels. There are types of corn kernels that makes a good popcorn which the kernels from flint, dent, flour, pod, and sweet corn. When the corn kernel is heated, it pops showing the inside of the corn that has expanded and became fluffy. You can have a fully popped corn kernel that is twice or eve five times bigger than the original kernel size.
Different popcorn flavors are now available like cheese, barbecue, butter, chocolate, and honey. You can also have the plain or a little salty popcorn which is the original flavor. If you do not want to buy ready-to-eat popcorn, you could always find popcorn kernels to cook and add your own choice of flavor.
It is also interesting that some popcorn vendors allows you to pick your flavor while the popcorn is being cooked. You can ask for extra amount of flavor or seasoning to suit your taste. Whereas some companies in the popcorn business provides more variants to popcorn flavor that you cannot normally buy at movie theater food stalls.
Making Popcorn
Popcorn is a very affordable snack that you can buy ready-to-eat or just the corn kernel for you to cook. You will encounter no hassle when cooking popcorn in a popcorn popper machine. The machine will do the magic for you in just a few minutes, and this is also what the popcorn industries are using to make popcorns. If the machine is not handy for you, you can still make popcorns as there are other ways.
Another convenient way to make popcorn is to microwave your popcorn bag. It will take less than 3 minutes and you will have the perfect popcorn to enjoy. You can also do it the traditional way which is to cook popcorn over a stove using a pan or pot with lid.
Here is the recipe and quick steps in making popcorn the traditional way.
- Prepare the corn kernels, salt, and oil. Salt is optional you can prepare other seasoning or flavoring you would like to use.
- Dampen the entire bottom of the pot with your preferred oil and heat it on medium heat temperature.
- Drop a few kernels inside the pot to see if it will pop. When they do, it means the pot is ready for cooking corn kernels. Take out the popped kernels.
- Spread about half cup of popcorn kernels on the bottom of the pot and put on the pot lid. Turn off the heat and let it sit for about thirty seconds.
- Heat the pot again until the kernels popped. Shake the pot when it start popping.
- Turn off the heat or remove the pot from heat when the kernel stopped popping.
- Take off the lid and transfer the popcorn in a serving dish.
- Sprinkle your choice of seasoning to taste or melt butter to dash on it.
After following our quick steps to make popcorn, you can now enjoy it no matter what the occasion. Keep in mind that you can use any flavoring you want to enjoy your popcorn.
Popcorn Varieties
You might have seen different variants of popcorn being sold in food stands at theaters and sport stadiums or even in grocery stores. That proves that popcorn is a flexible snack and will taste best in different flavors.
Here is a list of common popcorn flavors you can try.
- Sea salt
- Bacon
- Cheddar
- Caramel
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Ranch
- Red hot or spicy
- Cinnamon
- White chocolate
- Toffee
- Nacho cheese
- Buttered
- Garlic and herbs
- Kettle corn
Popcorns has become popular and you can see different flavors anywhere. There are also some stalls that allows you to pick your flavor or make your own gourmet. When you make popcorn at home you can also try to make your own and mix flavors for a unique taste.
Proper Popcorn Storage Procedures
Popcorn is very easy to store even when it is flavored. It is versatile when it comes to storage method. It will remain best when left sitting on your table as long as it is in a tightly sealed container. It will also remain best when refrigerated or frozen.
If it is a gourmet popcorn with other ingredients or toppings, you can follow the instructions on its package on how to best store it. You can still enjoy refrigerated or frozen popcorn after reheating it.
To know more about the popcorn’s storage process, we covered every detail for you.
Popcorn Storage at Room Temperature
Preventing the popcorn from drying is the best way to keep popcorn fluffy and tasty. Unluckily, refrigerating popcorn can dry it out so storing it at room temperature is the recommended option.
Follow these simple steps:
- Pack the popcorn in a tightly sealable plastic food bag or in a food container with tight lid. It is important that no air can sip inside the popcorn container.
- Never leave the popcorn inside a cool and closed place. It is recommended to leave the popcorn container on a countertop or inside a cupboard with doors open.
- Be sure that the popcorn package does not have any air leak and it is tightly sealed.
- Keep it stored for about two weeks at room temperature.
Popcorn Storage in the Fridge
Although most food can be kept well or preserved inside the fridge, it is not true to popcorn. Your fridge is a cool place that makes popcorn dry and tasteless and thus, it is not always recommended to keep popcorn refrigerated. However, you can still choose to keep popcorn in the fridge as an option if you know how to warm it properly so it will still taste best.
Here are the quick steps to keep popcorn refrigerated.
- Package popcorn in a tightly sealed food bag or container with lid.
- Pick the least cold spot in our fridge to keep the popcorn. Do not also place popcorn near a fan.
- Keep it stored for about two weeks.
Remember that keeping popcorn refrigerated will never extend its shelf life.
Popcorn Storage in the Freezer
Keeping popcorn frozen is another way to keep it aside from refrigerating or leaving it at room temperature. You can reheat popcorn right after taking it out of your freezer and it will never go stale.
Here are the quick steps to freeze popcorn.
- Package popcorn in a food container with tight lid or in an airtight freezer bag. It is also a good option to store it in a vacuum sealed bag.
- Seal the freezer bag or the food container tightly and make sure that no air can sip into it. It will prevent popcorn from getting stale.
- Labe each container or bag with dates to help you track its storage period.
- Keep popcorn in your freezer for not more than three months.
If you want to prepare popcorn in advance and want to keep it frozen, it is suggested not to add the seasoning yet. Nevertheless, it is fine to keep flavored popcorn frozen.
Methods and Instructions for Reheating Popcorn
You can enjoy popcorn even without reheating it, but it is always to your preference. It is convenient to reheat or warm popcorn in a microwave or an oven.
Reheating Popcorn in the Microwave
Reheating popcorn in a microwave is no hassle and you can enjoy your popcorn in less than a minute. Just follow the easy steps below.
- Place the popcorn in a microwave-friendly dish or food container.
- Cover the dish or container with microwaveable food wrap to seal in the moisture.
- Microwave it for about 20 to 30 seconds.
- Shake the popcorn and reheat it again for 5 to 15 seconds when needed.
- Serve warm and savory.
Reheating Popcorn in the Oven
Do not fret if you do not have a microwave, an oven will do just fine. Here are the quicks steps to reheat popcorn in an oven.
- Preheat oven up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place popcorn in an oven-friendly dish or tray and spread it out.
- Bake it for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Take it out of the oven and serve while it is warm.
Easy-peasy right. You can enjoy popcorn anytime of the day whether you prefer to reheat it or not.
Related Questions
We want our article to be informative and helpful so, here are a few questions and answers for more information.
Is there a difference between white and yellow popcorn kernels?
White corn kernels has tender popcorn flakes than yellow kernels. They are also softer and smaller when popped while yellow kernels are bigger and fluffier.
Can I use any kind of oil to cook popcorn on a stovetop?
Yes, you can choose any kind of oil to make popcorn on a stovetop, but it is recommended to use oil with high smoking point. Coconut oil and vegetable oil can also be your best options.
Is eating popcorn healthy?
Popcorn has low calorie that is why it is a good option for those watching their diets. It is rich in fiber that lowers the risk of heart problems and cancer. However, it may become unhealthy or healthier depending on the ingredients you add to it.
