Handing out bags without weighing portions
Want to give guests their own bag to take with them around the garden party? Check the number of individual bags and the amount in each one. Albert Heijn lists Jimmy’s multipacks containing 21 bags.
Which packaging suits which needs?
Portioning it yourself
Want to decide how much each guest gets, and can you portion the popcorn in advance or at the table? A portion size listed on a large bag doesn’t mean the popcorn is individually wrapped. AH Sweet Popcorn lists eight 25 g portions in a 200 g pack.
Preparing it at home in advance
Want to prepare the popcorn yourself, and have time to do so? Remember to follow the preparation instructions and supervise it as required. Jumbo sells microwave popcorn in a 3 x 90 g pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose between individual ready-to-eat bags, a large bag to portion yourself, and popcorn that still needs to be prepared. Then check the portion size, ingredients, warnings and storage instructions.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this more important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual bags and portion size | Check the number of individual bags and the weight of each one. A number of portions listed on a large pack doesn’t mean those portions are individually wrapped. | If I want to give guests something to eat while they’re mingling, I look for an individual bag for each guest. Around 34% of consumers prioritise handing out individual portions. |
| Preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs to go in the microwave. Follow the packaging instructions for microwave popcorn. | If I want to do as little preparation as possible during the party, I choose a product that’s ready to eat. Around 20% of consumers prioritise minimal preparation. |
| Flavour and warnings | Read the ingredients and warnings for the exact flavour, including information about allergens and young guests. | If the flavour or ingredients are important to my guests, I check the specific variety separately. Around 20% of consumers prioritise flavour and suitability for their guests. |
| Quantity for the group | For multipacks, count the individual bags. With a large bag, decide how much you want to give each guest. | If I want to match my purchase to the number of guests and limit leftovers, I work out the actual number of bags or portions I’ll need. Around 13% of consumers prioritise planning the quantity. |
| Storage and opening | Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. Don’t assume there’s a set shelf life after opening unless it’s stated on the label. | If I want to get bags ready in advance and store any unopened ones, I follow the instructions on the packaging. Around 13% of consumers prioritise storage and handling leftovers. |
Common buying mistakes
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Confusing portions with individual bags
AH Sweet Popcorn lists eight portions in one 200 g pack. That doesn’t mean it contains eight individual bags to hand out.
Look for the number of bags and the amount in each one on the packaging, not just the number of portions.
Portioning it yourself takes extra time and requires materials to get the portions ready.
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Assuming an old multipack is still available
The product page for AH Popcorn Multipack 280 g says that the product is no longer stocked.
Check any current pack again for its flavour, number of bags, contents and label.
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Mistaking microwave popcorn for a ready-to-eat snack bag
Jumbo Salted Microwave Popcorn 3 x 90 g needs to be prepared according to the instructions. It isn’t a multipack of ready-to-eat portions for guests.
Before buying, check whether the popcorn still needs to be prepared and plan to do this before handing it out.
You’ll need to set aside time to prepare the popcorn and, if you want individual portions, divide it up yourself.
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Assuming small bags are suitable for every age
The Jimmy’s salted and sweet-and-salty multipacks reviewed state that they’re not suitable for children under 3. According to the product information, the sweet-and-salty variety may contain unpopped kernels.
Follow the warnings on the exact pack and choose a suitable alternative snack for younger guests.
Relevant brands and retailers
Albert Heijn
A relevant choice for ready-to-eat popcorn and individual multipacks in its range. Jimmy’s products at Albert Heijn are not AH own-brand products.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Sweet Popcorn 200 g and Jimmy’s multipacks containing 21 bags.
- AH Sweet Popcorn is a large bag with stated portions, not a multipack of individual bags.
Jumbo
A relevant choice for ready-to-eat salted popcorn and microwave popcorn.
- Jumbo lists Salted Popcorn 100 g and Salted Microwave Popcorn 3 x 90 g.
- The microwave variety needs to be prepared; follow the instructions and supervision warnings on the packaging.
Lidl
Lidl lists popcorn in salted and sweet varieties under its Snack Day range.
- The product range is a useful starting point if you’re looking for salted or sweet popcorn.
- The product range information doesn’t provide a basis for ranking flavours or portion sizes.
ALDI
The Dutch product information lists Sun Snacks Salted Popcorn 100 g.
- The product details provided include the brand, salted variety and 100 g contents.
- The packaging isn’t described as a multipack of individual bags to hand out.
Popcorn products at Joybuy
These products include ready-to-eat popcorn to portion yourself and microwave popcorn to prepare in advance. Check the flavour, contents and any ingredient or preparation information for each variety.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Caramel Popcorn 120 g
This 120 g bag of ready-to-eat caramel popcorn is a good choice if you want to portion it yourself.
Contains milk.
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SNACK MAZE Cinema Butter Popcorn 240 g
The product description lists a 240 g bag to share with others.
The variety is described as Cinema Butter.
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MUSHAN BASE Sweet and Salty Flavour Popcorn 120 g
According to the product description, this sweet-and-salty popcorn is ready to eat straight from the pack.
The stated contents are 120 g. Contains soya and may contain gluten.
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g'woon Salted Popcorn 100 g
This 100 g bag of salted popcorn could be a good starting point if you want to portion it yourself.
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Pop Corn Microwave Popcorn 3 x 100 g
This variety is suited to preparing in advance; all three bags need to go in the microwave first.
The pack contains 3 x 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many individual bags I need?
First decide how many individual bags you want to offer, then divide that number by the number of bags in each multipack; round up to whole packs if needed. With a large bag, you decide the portion size yourself. The eight 25 g portions listed on AH Sweet Popcorn are information from the label, not a prediction of how much your guests will eat.
Is microwave popcorn ready to hand out?
No, microwave popcorn needs to be prepared first, following the instructions on the packaging. For its 3 x 90 g variety, Jumbo says that children must not prepare it without adult supervision and that you shouldn’t restart cooking if it has been interrupted.
Are Jimmy’s individual bags suitable for children under 3?
The Jimmy’s salted and sweet-and-salty multipacks reviewed state that they’re not suitable for children under 3. The sweet-and-salty variety also carries a warning that it may contain unpopped kernels. Always check the warnings on the exact pack.
What should I check if someone has an allergy?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour and pack. For example, Jumbo Salted Popcorn 100 g says ‘May contain: Milk’. Under European Union rules, allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list on prepacked foods.
How should I store popcorn until the garden party?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. AH Sweet Popcorn should be stored in a cool, dry place; for the Jimmy’s multipacks reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. Jimmy’s also says that its products have a limited shelf life once opened, but doesn’t specify a set number of days.