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There’s just something about movie theater popcorn that makes it taste amazing. It’s salty, it’s buttery — it’s a real treat. However, no matter how many times you’ve tried adding butter and salt to your popcorn at home, it never tastes the same. Even the bagged “movie theater butter” microwave popcorn can’t get it right. So, what’s the secret? The flavor all comes down to one ingredient: Flavacol.
You’ve likely never heard of Flavacol because, really, only movie theaters use it. Essentially, it’s butter-flavored salt. It’s a really fine, bright orange powder that adds that buttery flavor you crave and the signature yellow color. If the yellow dyes don’t freak you out, it’s downright delicious.
The trick is to combine your Flavacol seasoning with an oil — coconut oil, vegetable oil or even olive oil — while popping your corn. The oil prevents the powder from burning and distributes it a bit, so you coat all of the kernels with the buttery, salty flavor.
So, where do you get Flavacol? Amazon carries a 35-ounce carton of it for less than $10. However, after a few taste tests, I suggest getting the Flavacol seasoning and butter-flavored popcorn topping combo for $18.95. If you ask for extra butter on your popcorn at the movie theater, this butter-flavored topping (aka butter-flavored soybean oil) is for you.
Also, keep in mind that a little Flavacol goes a long way. You can always add more if you think you need it.
My personal trick is to mix two tablespoons of whatever oil I have with one teaspoon of Flavacol in a pot over medium heat on the stove. When the oil is hot, I add just a couple of kernels to the pot and put on the lid. Once they’ve popped, I add two tablespoons of more popcorn and put the lid loosely back on.
After all the kernels are done popping, I pour the popcorn into a bowl. Then, I add the butter-flavored topping. If you really like salt, you could taste test it and add a little more Flavacol if you think it needs it.
Seriously, you can have real movie theater popcorn every day. It’s so easy and definitely a game changer for movie nights at home.
The trick is to combine your Flavacol seasoning with an oil — coconut oil, vegetable oil or even olive oil — while popping your corn. The oil prevents the powder from burning and distributes it a bit, so you coat all of the kernels with the buttery, salty flavor.
Use four tablespoons of coconut oil for the true movie theater flavor, or use canola oil if you want to be a bit healthier. Put the salt into the oil and stir it up until it is well mixed. Then put it into the whirley popper and put it on the stove on medium heat. Popcorn kernels aren't special.
Your movie theater butter has no butter in it, but it does have partially hydrogenated soybean oil (a.k.a. trans fats), beta carotene (a coloring, makes carrots orange), tertiary Butylhydroquinone or TBHQ (synthetic preservative that keeps the color and texture from changing as the product sits), polydimethylsiloxane ( ...
Movie theaters use butter-flavored oil, which has a lower water content than butter so it makes popcorn less soggy. Real clarified butter has the same effect. To make it, melt 2 sticks butter in a glass measuring cup in the microwave.Let sit for a few minutes; the butter will separate into 3 layers.
Two popular choices are canola and vegetable oil (both with a smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit), thanks to their generally neutral flavor. Refined peanut oil (with a smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit) is also recommended, especially if you like to infuse your popcorn with some of its nuttiness.
The flavor all comes down to one ingredient: Flavacol. You've likely never heard of Flavacol because, really, only movie theaters use it. Essentially, it's butter-flavored salt. It's a really fine, bright orange powder that adds that buttery flavor you crave and the signature yellow color.
Other theaters cook their kernels in a mix of oil and real butter, helping to maximize that butter flavor and fine salt taste before the actual popcorn kernels are popped. However, many don't know that the main reason for the taste of that movie popcorn is a topping called Flavacol.
While butter flavor is involved, there's no actual butter in most movie theater popcorn. Instead, these two key ingredients give movie theater popcorn its signature taste and smell: popcorn popping oil and popcorn seasoning. Yup, it's that simple.
In most cases, movie theaters use coconut or canola oil for their popcorn. Both options provide a cleaner taste. Plus, coconut and canola oil are healthier alternatives to many types of oil.
This might come as no surprise to you, but movie theater popcorn doesn't have any real butter. It owes its flavor to the magic combo of hydrogenated soybean oil and a popcorn salt called Flavacol.
Pop Weaver Popcorn Kernels - Weaver Gold 50-lb Bag - Butterfly Style Popping Corn. This is the brand and type AMC theaters use for their popcorn. It is formulated to pop larger with more crevices to “grab” the seasonings.
there IS a “secret ingredient”. Or, more precisely, a sort of “trade secret”; and that's Flavacol. What's in it? “Salt, artificial butter flavor, FD&C Yellow #5 Lake (E102) and Yellow #6 Lake (E110)”.
Pour half of the butter or ghee over the popcorn, cover, and shake the pot to coat. Pour the remaining butter or ghee over the popcorn and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon finely ground kosher salt, table salt, or popcorn salt. Cover again and shake. Serve immediately.
A: Ultimate Butter has a stronger butter flavor while the Movie Theatre Butter is suppose to taste like the popcorn available at movie theatres. If you like butter go with the Ultimate Butter option.
While butter flavor is involved, there's no actual butter in most movie theater popcorn. Instead, these two key ingredients give movie theater popcorn its signature taste and smell: popcorn popping oil and popcorn seasoning. Yup, it's that simple.
Most commonly, it is all in the way that the kernels are prepared and popped that helps the finished product to taste the way it does in the theater. Some place their kernels in coconut and canola oil before popping them, which gives them a unique taste and helps make them sweet.
It's a personal preference—and there are certainly people who eat both and wouldn't even notice the difference.” AMC, Regal, and Marcus theaters use coconut oil, while Cinemark opts for canola, and other regional chains use a blend.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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