If you want to serve popcorn straight away, choose a ready-to-eat bag. For preparing it on different occasions, a microwave multipack is a good fit, while popping corn lets you choose the quantity and toppings yourself. Compare packs within the same preparation method and flavour, then check the inner packaging, ingredients and storage instructions. A larger pack isn’t automatically better value if you can’t use its contents in time or in the way you want.
You want to buy the right amount and compare packs without looking only at the price of one bag. Deloitte Netherlands identifies price as a general factor in supermarket choices; when comparing popcorn, also consider the quantity and preparation method.
You don’t want to prepare everything at once and are looking for individual portions to prepare separately. A multipack with inner bags could suit you if you want to make popcorn on different occasions.
You want to decide how much corn to prepare and what to add. If you have allergies, check the warnings on the popping corn packaging too.
First compare products with the same preparation method and flavour. Then consider the amount per preparation, how easy it is to serve and the ingredients in the exact variant you’re buying.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Comparable costs | Compare net weight and price per kilogram for the same preparation method and flavour. | If I want to know what a pack offers for my get-togethers, I compare similar products and look beyond the price of the bag. Around 36% of consumers would put cost first. |
| Quantity and portions | Check the number of inner bags, the weight per bag and the storage instructions. | If I want to spread popcorn across several evenings or make a different amount each time, I look for individual bags or corn that I can portion myself. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise portions and quantity. |
| Preparation and serving | Check what equipment you’ll need and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging. | If I want to keep preparation to a minimum while entertaining, I look for a product that’s ready to serve. For microwave or pan preparation, I allow extra time. Around 21% of consumers would choose ease of serving as their top consideration. |
| Flavour and ingredients | Read the ingredients, allergen warnings and nutritional information for the variant you’ve chosen. | If flavour or ingredients determine my choice, I check the information for that exact pack and any additions I might use when preparing it myself. Around 14% of consumers would put ingredients first. |
The products differ in preparation method and composition. The weight of dried corn isn’t the same as the weight of prepared popcorn.
First compare prices within the same preparation method. If you’re making it yourself, factor in any oil and flavourings you add.
Making popcorn yourself takes extra preparation, and you may need to add ingredients as well as the corn.
For Jumbo Microwave Popcorn Salt, 3 x 90 g refers to the contents of the pack, not a set number of people.
Plan each preparation around the amount you want to serve; don’t work out how many people it will feed from the number of inner bags.
The AH Organic Popcorn Corn product checked states that cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat may be present.
If you have allergies, read both the ingredients list and the warnings on the current packaging.
The products checked range from ready-to-eat sweet popcorn to dried popping corn.
The options checked include ready-to-eat popcorn and a microwave multipack of 3 x 90 g.
Lidl sells popcorn under its own Snack Day brand, including sweet and microwave varieties.
The product checked is SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn 100 g.
These product choices suit different ways of preparing or serving popcorn for a get-together.
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Suitable if you want to prepare individual portions of popcorn for different occasions.
Microwave preparation; three 100 g packs.
The product description mentions sweet and salted popcorn.
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Suitable if you want to decide how much corn to prepare for a get-together.
The description recommends preparing it in a pan with vegetable oil.
Allow for the extra preparation time and check the product information for the exact instructions.
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Suitable if you want to serve a ready-to-eat sweet and salty variety straight away.
The product description lists a 120 g pack.
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Suitable if you want to open and serve ready-to-eat caramel popcorn.
The product description lists milk as an allergen; check the product information if this is relevant to you.
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Suitable if you want to serve ready-to-eat sweet popcorn.
The product description lists a 175 g pack that can be resealed after opening.
The ingredients information includes corn, syrup and sugar.
Use the stated serving size as a guide, not as a guarantee of how many guests you can serve. For the sweet popcorn checked, Albert Heijn lists eight servings of 25 g. Also consider the other snacks and how much popcorn you want to serve.
For Jumbo Microwave Popcorn Salt 3 x 90 g, Jumbo advises against restarting the preparation after an interruption. For other varieties, follow the instructions on their own packaging.
For the sweet popcorn checked, Albert Heijn recommends sealing the pack securely after use and storing it in a cool, dark and dry place. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the variety you buy.
No. For AH Organic Popcorn Corn, Albert Heijn states that cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat may be present. Check the current packaging for any allergens that are relevant to you.
Check the ingredients, allergens, net quantity and best-before information, among other details. The European Union explains that any allergens present must be emphasised in the ingredients list; Business.gov.nl outlines the Dutch labelling rules.
