A late-night snack with no preparation
You want to snack straight away, so choose popped popcorn rather than a pack that needs to go in the microwave first.
Which popcorn is right for you?
A measured portion to take with you
You want to take a set amount with you, so pay attention to the difference between the bag contents and the portion size shown on the label. The Albert Heijn bags we looked at list portions of 25 g; Jumbo uses 30 g.
Choosing based on ingredients
As well as the flavour, check the ingredients, nutritional information and any allergen warnings for the exact product variant.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to eat the popcorn straight away or can prepare it where you’re going. Then consider how much you want to take with you and check the ingredients for your chosen flavour.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to eat or needs preparing | Check whether the popcorn is already popped and whether the pack includes preparation instructions. | If you want to snack straight away while you’re out, unpopped popcorn won’t be much use. Around 42% of consumers prioritise being able to eat it straight away. |
| Bag contents and portion size | Check the net weight, stated portion size and number of portions separately. | If you want to take one measured amount with you, check how many portions the bag contains. Around 33% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Flavour and ingredients | Compare the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant. | If ingredients or a personal dietary requirement influence your choice, check the label for that variant. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the whole bag is one labelled portion
The salted Albert Heijn popcorn we looked at contains 100 g and lists four 25 g portions. Jumbo lists a 30 g portion for its salted popcorn, so its 100 g bag works out at around three portions.
Check the number of portions and decide in advance how much you want to take with you.
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Assuming all sweet popcorn has the same recipe
Ingredients vary from product to product. Jumbo Popcorn Zoet lists glucose-fructose syrup and sugar; the sweet Albert Heijn microwave popcorn we looked at uses sweeteners.
Compare the ingredients list for the exact product variant, not just the flavour name.
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Choosing microwave popcorn when you can’t prepare it
The unpopped pack isn’t ready to eat. For the AH Magnetron Popcorn Zoet we looked at, you need to stay by the microwave and open the hot bag carefully because of the steam.
Choose popped popcorn if you want a snack that needs no preparation, and follow the pack instructions when making microwave popcorn.
You’ll need a suitable microwave and time to prepare it.
Popcorn brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, as well as a separate microwave option.
- The ready-to-eat variants we looked at list portions of 25 g.
- The microwave variant needs to be prepared first; the instructions say to stay by the microwave and take care when handling the hot bag.
Jumbo
The own-brand products we looked at are 100 g of ready-to-eat salted popcorn and 175 g of sweet popcorn.
- The product information lists a portion size of 30 g for both variants.
- Both products we looked at carry the warning ‘May contain: Milk’. This applies to these variants and not necessarily to the whole range.
Lidl
Lidl lists both salted and sweet popcorn under its own-brand name, Snack Day.
- The official brand page confirms both flavours.
- Check the pack for your chosen variant to find the bag contents and nutritional information.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS salted popcorn in a 100 g pack.
- The product information gives the flavour and the bag contents.
- A 100 g pack doesn’t tell you by itself how much you’ll want to take as a snack portion.
Popcorn options on Joybuy
These Joybuy products include microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn for an evening snack.
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Pop Corn 3 x 100g
Ideal for a snack occasion when you can prepare popcorn where you are.
The pack contains 3 x 100 g and is intended for microwave preparation.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Popcorn Caramel 120g
Ideal for a late-night snack with no preparation if you’re looking for caramel popcorn.
The pack contains 120 g. The product information lists milk.
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g'woon Sweet Popcorn 175g
Ideal for an evening snack if you’re looking for sweet popcorn.
The pack contains 175 g. The product information lists glucose-fructose syrup and sugar as ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare labelled portions from different brands?
Compare portions on the same weight basis. The ready-to-eat products we looked at from Albert Heijn list 25 g per portion; Jumbo uses 30 g. Compare nutritional values per 100 g first, then consider how much you’ll take with you.
How do you prepare the AH microwave popcorn we looked at?
Follow the instructions on the AH Magnetron Popcorn Zoet pack. The product instructions say to cook it for 2–3 minutes at 800 Watt or 3–4 minutes at 600 Watt, stop when there are 1–2 seconds between pops, stay nearby and open carefully because of the hot steam. These instructions apply to this variant.
How should you store an opened bag of Albert Heijn popcorn?
Store the ready-to-eat AH products we looked at in a cool, dark and dry place, and seal the pack well after use. No specific shelf life after opening is given.
What information appears on a popcorn pack in the Netherlands?
For ordinary prepacked foods, labelling rules cover information including ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date and nutritional values. The European Union sets out the general labelling rules; Business.gov.nl states that label information must be in Dutch and also available online.