I Tried Five of Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn Seasonings: Here’s My Ranking
If you're similar to me, popcorn is an essential treat. After a tiring week, a bag of kernels is always ready in my pantry for a relaxing movie night. However, homemade popcorn can sometimes lack excitement in flavor. So, when I stumbled upon Orville Redenbacher's well-loved microwave popcorn brand offering a selection of seasonings, I couldn't resist testing them out. I picked up five different flavors, ranging from traditional butter to delightfully sweet options. Here’s my genuine take on Orville Redenbacher's popcorn seasonings.
The Story Behind Orville Redenbacher
If you’ve ever popped popcorn in the microwave, you've likely savored the delightful product from Orville Redenbacher. The cheerful face on the iconic red packaging has become nearly a symbol of this tasty treat. Known as the "Popcorn King," Redenbacher was an American farmer who focused on developing popcorn that was bigger and fluffier.
By the 1970s, Orville Redenbacher's had established itself as a popular brand across the United States. Redenbacher himself, who was the brand's spokesperson, featured in his own commercials well into his 80s, always recognizable in his trademark bow tie and glasses. The brand provides a variety of products such as traditional butter flavor, low-fat options, whole grain choices, and plain kernels.
Discover Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn Seasonings
The seasoning collection offers eight different flavors, allowing you to satisfy both your savory and sweet desires. Here’s the complete list:
One of the best aspects of popcorn is that it has always been a fantastic snack that's low in calories, especially when you make it at home. However, the toppings we add can often turn it into a more indulgent treat. Fortunately, Orville Redenbacher’s seasonings help maintain its lightness. Each flavor has no calories and no fat in a serving size of a quarter teaspoon.
The seasonings are gluten-free and contain no artificial colors, although each flavor has a relatively low sodium level, ranging from 45 to 55 mg per serving.
Reviewing Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn Seasonings
Let’s dive into the exciting part: it’s time for me to make a lot of popcorn! Here’s my take on the five seasonings I experimented with, ranked from the best to the ones that didn’t quite impress me.
Just a quick tip: be gentle with the amount you use since the powdery seasoning tends to come out quickly. Your dish might end up looking somewhat dusty, like mine did, but I didn't find that to be an issue.
This one clearly topped the list. It brought back fond memories of the Smart Food popcorn I used to enjoy in my younger days (which I still love). The white cheddar flavor is bold, yet I didn't find it overwhelming or fake. In fact, it was so tasty that I found myself wanting to grab a second bowl.
If you enjoy tasty, exciting snacks, you’ll love Nacho Cheese. Its flavor is zesty with a little bit of heat, reminiscent of the Mexican cheese mixes you’d sprinkle on your tacos. Though it might not be exactly like authentic nachos, it certainly adds a playful touch to any snack spread.
The Magic Of Movie Theater Butter
This seasoning does a fair job of replicating that nostalgic buttery popcorn taste we're all familiar with. That said, I noticed a stronger cheesy aftertaste rather than a buttery one, and the flavor was rather subtle, prompting me to add more. Nevertheless, if you're aiming for a movie theater experience, this is a solid choice.
Bakery-Style Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Recipe
This flavor stood out as the most original, but it wasn't my top choice. It had a distinct cinnamon taste, which I liked, and I appreciated that the aroma was subtle. However, it lacked the sweetness you'd anticipate from something inspired by Cinnabon. It was an interesting concept, but it didn't fully capture the essence of dessert popcorn for me.
Sweet And Salty Kettle Corn Recipe
Although this flavor isn't unpleasant, it fails to make a lasting impression. Perhaps it's my general dislike for kettle corn, but the overpowering artificial scent was off-putting. You get a combination of sweetness and saltiness, but nothing particularly remarkable. If you’re in the mood for something a bit sweeter, it will satisfy that craving.
In general, Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn seasonings offer an enjoyable way to spice up your popcorn experience. My top choice was definitely the White Cheddar, and although some of the other flavors didn’t quite hit the mark for me, they each added a unique twist without piling on extra calories.
