I usually buy the cheap (for us) 2.79 CAD bag of 1kg popping corn. the 850g Orville Redenbacher is 5.79.

However, they were out of the cheap stuff so I was forced to get the ol’ Orville’s stuff. And I found it there were less kernels unpopped, the popcorn was fluffier and weirdly, it sounded louder too. (same stove, pot and everything)

So my question is why is there such a quality difference? Is there a difference in how it’s prepared before shipping? Anyone know?

  • aramis877@kbin.melroy.org
    382·
    3 months ago

    The first summer of covid, when there were all those supply chain shortages, I read an article on the shortages (I think in the NY Times). They explained that some of the shortages weren’t that the companies were short of an item, just short of that item in a format conducive to home use or preference, and that sometimes they lacked the flexibility to move that stock to the consumer.

    Like, there was a massive home toilet paper shortage, but companies were sitting on stocks of commercial toilet paper that they couldn’t move: it wasn’t properly packaged for individual resale, couldn’t be easily switched to a different packaging, was often thinner or rougher than home-use paper, came in massive rolls that didn’t fit on a home spindle, and most people couldn’t, wouldn’t, or didn’t think of trying to get commercial toilet paper.

    Anyway - one of the mis-matches they talked about was popcorn. People were in lockdown, wfh, etc, and the home popcorn kernel market was exploding - there wasn’t enough stock. At the exact same time, however, movie theatres were closed and huge stocks of movie theatre popcorn kernels were going unsold. And they couldn’t move the movie theatre popcorn into the home market.

    Movie theatre popcorn uses a different variety of corn than home popcorn does. Like, one type of popcorn has a mushroom-shaped kernel that produces a large round shape with lots of surface area and is pretty crisp, while another one produces a butterfly shape with lots of edges sand that melts easier in your mouth. And if you’ve built your brand recognition around one type of popped corn, you can’t just suddenly substitute in a different type - people will notice, and complain.

    Aside from the main types of popcorn kernels, I’m pretty sure there are subtypes as well. Just like eating apples include premium types like cosmic crisp and ‘common’ types like red delicious, I’m sure that there are premium and ‘common’ varieties of home popcorn kernels. And the Redenbacher popcorn is using a more ‘premium’ kernel than the cheap versions.

    There’s also stuff like time on shelf, moisture content, etc, but I’d bet a lot of it - especially the difference in size and texture - come down to Redenbacher using a different type of kernel, and from a higher-quality kernel within that range.

    • glimse@lemmy.world
      151·
      3 months ago

      People were in lockdown, wfh, etc, and the home popcorn kernel market was exploding - there wasn’t enough stock.

      I’m kinda mad at you for not saying

      the home popcorn kernel market was popping

    • HelixDab2@lemm.ee
      6·
      3 months ago

      FWIW, you can buy all varieties of popcorn in 50# bulk packages. But most people don’t want to buy 50# at one time.

    • GlendatheGayWitch@lemmy.world
      3·
      3 months ago

      I found that while popping popcorn, the finished kernel (mushroom or butterfly shaped) depends on popping conditions. I only use Redenbacher and if the heat is too high, you get the mushroom shape and the kernels are dense and if you set the heat a little lower you get fluffier butterfly kernels.

      Is the popped kernel shape really supposed to be different based on what kind of popcorn you buy?

    • Akasazh@feddit.nl
      63·
      3 months ago

      Movie theatre popcorn uses a different variety of corn than home popcorn does.

      Source? Because:

      I’m pretty sure there are subtypes as well

      Doesn’t make you sound like an expert on the subject.

      Not doubting that supply chain issues are totally a thing, btw. Just the unsaleability of movie popcorn in consumer markets sounds a bit weird to me. Wouldn’t there be a niche for a brand selling the stuff as original movie popcorn?

      • MagicShel@programming.dev
        41·
        3 months ago

        A theater here was selling their popped popcorn to take home. I still couldn’t conscion paying movie theater prices for popcorn at home, but it does agree with the idea that they were oversupplied and trying to get rid of it.

        Is anyone else familiar with the word conscion? I looked it up to get the spelling right and apparently it’s not a real word but I’ve been using it my whole life. Not sure where I picked it up. Anyway I think the meaning is clear from the context.