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Microwave popcorn is the definition of a technological marvel. As much as I appreciate the stovetop preparation, I’m rarely interested in making it myself—it’s too easy to scorch, too messy, and I don’t have room for one of those specialized stovetop popcorn poppers in my already over-crowded cabinets.
But I always have space and time for a bag of microwave popcorn, which can take me from hangry to satisfied in just a few minutes.
After years of trying tons of different brands I’ve finally identified the absolute best one, and it just so happens to be a classic. Of course, what constitutes the “best” microwave popcorn totally depends on your tastes. Maybe you like it super buttery, or prefer a simply salted variety.
Fortunately, good old Orville Redenbacher’s does both really, really well—here are the two types of popcorn I keep around at all times, for those moments when the craving for a handful (or five) of the buttery, salty stuff hits.
For the Salt Fanatics: Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted
Sometimes you want to taste the actual popcorn—nutty, airy kernels just kissed with a bit of salt. That’s where Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Simply Salted excels. There’s none of that fake butter flavor, which many popcorn fans abhor, which allows the flavor of the popcorn to shine through. Sometimes, I’ll decide to get a little creative and add a shake of Cajun seasoning or nutritional yeast to spice things up, and this popcorn provides the perfect blank canvas for that experimentation.
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For the Butter Fiends: Orville Redenbacher’s Butter Popcorn
This is the classic, old-school microwave popcorn that you know and love. There’s just the right amount of butter, not so much that it tastes oily or heavy, but enough to keep you coming back for handful after handful.
Orville Redenbacher’s Butter Popcorn simultaneously reminds me of movie theater popcorn and homemade stovetop popcorn, probably because the butter flavoring is less noticeably fake-tasting. The kernels are also tender and fluffy, and you don’t have to worry about ending up with half a bag of unpopped kernels like other brands.
The Final Verdict
Whether you prefer salty or buttery, Orville Redenbacher’s gets the job done. If I had to pick just one type to buy forever, it’d definitely be the Simply Salted variety because I can customize it endlessly. Besides, there’s no one stopping me from adding as much butter as I’d like for the ultimate at-home movie night.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes
Dining and Cooking