Popcorn 101 Everything You Need To Know

Popcorn is a popular and healthy snack that has been around for centuries. It is made from corn kernels that are heated until they pop and can be enjoyed with salt, butter, or other flavorings. It's perfect for an at-home movie night or an after-school snack.

Popcorn is relatively easy to make, but it can also be bought pre-packaged in stores. You can make popcorn with kernels, oil, and a pan on the stovetop, or you can buy pre-packaged popcorn that is popped in the microwave.

No matter how you choose to make your popcorn, you may be wondering how long it will last. Popcorn is a perishable item, so it will not last forever. However, with proper storage, it can last for a significant period of time.

📆 Shelf Life of Popcorn

The amount of time that popcorn will last depends on the type of popcorn and how it is stored.

Does Microwave Popcorn Go Bad?

Any food product with fats or oils has a chance of going rancid. However, unpopped microwaveable popcorn typically has an expiration date of 6–8 months, but this is only if the popcorn is unopened.

Do Popcorn Kernels Go Bad?

Popcorn kernels can be stored for a long time if they are kept in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight or a dark place like a kitchen cabinet. Unpopped kernels will have an indefinite shelf life if they are stored properly.

Shelf life of caramel corn & cheese popcorn

Once you have made homemade caramel popcorn, put it in an airtight container once it has cooled. The shelf life of homemade caramel popcorn is up to five days when kept in an airtight container.

When shipping time is taken into account, the shelf life of store-bought cheddar popcorn is usually 7 to 10 days following receipt.

Can You Reuse Unpopped Kernels?

When making homemade popcorn, If you take it off the heat too soon, some kernels can be stuck to the bottom of the pot. Don't worry, though. You can put them back in the pot and add a little more oil, cover the pot, raise the heat to medium-high, and cook the kernels as you usually would to re-pop them.

🥶 Can You Freeze Popcorn?

In order to freeze your popcorn, do the following: Put your popcorn in a freezer-safe, airtight container, placing some plastic wrap in between the lid and the popcorn to help seal in the freshness. Set your container in your freezer on a level surface after wrapping it in freezer-safe foil or plastic. Wrapping it like this is the best way to ensure that you have fresh kernels for a couple of months or longer.

How to Freeze Popcorn Kernels

When you freeze popcorn kernels, they don't actually freeze, but they do stay fresher longer. To freeze your unpopped popcorn, just seal it in a freezer bag, and make sure to remove any excess air. Before freezing, you can wrap the freezer bag in layers of plastic wrap to ensure that it stays sealed.

🍿 What Types of Popcorn Are There?

There are actually many different flavors and types of popcorn. The most popular type is probably the typical brown kernel popcorn, but there are also many other varieties.

Here are some of my favorite types of kernels for homemade fresh popcorn:

Ladyfinger Popcorn: I especially love this popcorn because it has super small hulls that don't get stuck in teeth and braces. 

Storing Tips For Popcorn

Follow these tips to ensure that your popcorn stays fresh.

How to Keep Popcorn Fresh

• Keep the popcorn in an airtight container.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• For best results, consume within two weeks of opening the original packaging.
• If you want your popcorn to last longer, you can store it in the fridge or freezer.

How to Store Popped Popcorn

• Keep popped popcorn in an airtight container.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Popped popcorn will last for up to two weeks when stored properly.
• You can also store popped popcorn in the fridge or freezer if you want it to last longer.

Can You Pop Popcorn Without Oil?

Yes, you can! You can pop popcorn with only air when you use an air popper. This is the healthiest way to eat delicious, warm popcorn since it doesn't involve any oil.

This Microwaveable Silicone Popcorn Popper is my favorite. I pop it in the microwave, spritz it with a little coconut oil, and shake on some salt. 

If you want to pop your kernels in oil, you can use any type of cooking oil. The best oils for popping are those with a high smoke point, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.

Best oil to pop popcorn in

Here are the healthiest oils to pop popcorn in. Popcorn can be a great healthy snack that satisfies the need to crunch on something tasty.

• Coconut Oil: With a slow smoke point at 350F, cold-pressed coconut oil is a healthy option for popping popcorn. The bonus is the slightly sweet flavor coconut oil adds to popcorn.
• Olive Oil: Cold-pressed olive oil can be heated to 350-400F, perfect for popping kernels. As a bonus, olive oil contains oleic acid and other monosaturated fats and antioxidants that our bodies need.
• Avocado Oil: Avocado oil adds a hint of smooth buttery flavor to popcorn. The smoke point, between 375 and 400F, avocado oil has many health benefits. It has healthy fats, and it can help remove harmful toxins.
• Canola Oil: If you need to make a lot of popcorn, canola oil is a cheaper option. It has a smoking point of 435F degrees. Canola oil is considered a highly processed oil so the nutritional value is not good compared to cold pressed oil.

Best popcorn popper using oil

My favorite popcorn popper for using oil is this Dash SmartStore Deluxe Stirring Popcorn Maker. Note that it is best to remove the popcorn from the popper as soon as it is done popping. Condensation can build up on the plastic lid and make your popcorn a bit soggy.