Gourmet Popcorn gift baskets are a real treat

Gourmet popcorn gift baskets can be enjoyed all year long not only on 19 January that is national Popcorn day. You can send your friends and family a delicious popcorn gift basket for their birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion. For example, father's day, all people enjoy popcorn. The traditional favorite is caramel and kettle corn and you can add some high-quality nuts and dried fruit.

KIDS love popcorns and a gift basket for children's birthdays are a great success. There are so many different flavors such as rocky road candy, much beloved, cinnamon toast, and many other flavors. Most children are teeth popcorn gift recycling and using them to store crayons and pencils, as well as piggy banks. The ideal gift for MOM on mother's day is a gift basket which consists of chocolate drizzled popcorn, and they can add macadamia nuts, as well as a box of fresh strawberries and cream, which you will love.

Popcorn was globally associated with sporting events. Gourmet popcorn gift baskets can be made up for the boys and tins of jalapeno, cheddar and salty. A day in the ballpark without popcorn is very anti-American. Some popcorn gift tins come with logos and colors of sports teams on and make for a wonderful food basket. You can add drinks and nuts, as well as a host of other goodies to snack.

There are also delicious popcorn gift baskets for Valentine's day is much better than traditional chocolate gifts. These tins of popcorn are seasoned with white and dark chocolate. Popcorn gift teeth also make ideal holiday gifts for Hanukkah and Christmas or even thanks to give. There are several varieties to choose from which please everyone and teeth decorated gift for those special occasions. Most of the popcorn is Parve and was approved by Beth Din.

Popcorn gift basket typically are well accessible and a gift basket is cheap to ship as the basket is lightweight. A popcorn gift basket makes an impressive display. You can either order these gift baskets online or you can create your own. With tins of popcorn you can add an array of all ordered nuts and dried fruits that will make a very impressive display. This is a gift that the whole family can enjoy while watching their favourite sport or watching a movie.

Gone are the days where popcorn is a treat for the movie only, how many people enjoy popcorn as a snack. Nowadays there is also a bag of microwave popcorn, which makes it much easier to prepare the popcorn. However, many people still prepare popcorn the old method with the stove and a pot with oil. Popcorn doesn't contain any calories if you eat normal.

Because popcorn is popular has developed its own industry. There are so many different varieties to choose from as opposed to the traditional popcorn that basically gave popcorn on a whole new meaning. Gourmet food baskets and popcorn also took on a whole new meaning when it comes to gift ideas.

Michelle Reynolds loves to write about food and gift baskets. Gourmet gift baskets are perfect choices for different occasions. For the ultimate gourmet popcorn gift basket deals, visit http://www.affordablegourmetgiftbaskets.com/gourmet-popcorn-gift-baskets-are-a-real-treat/

How Unpopped Gourmet Popcorn Makes Your Home Theatre Even Better

The ultimate snack is popcorn. Taking a trip back to history, specifically, popcorn history, did you know that thousands of years ago, the Native Americans discovered that unpopped popcorn could be heated and turned into a satisfying, delicious snack? Some of these tribes believed that the popping noise that went out of the kernel were that of an angry god. This is one food that started in America. Popcorn consumption increased during Great Depression and World War II. It was widely available, inexpensive and tasted good. Soon, locations in the Midwestern United States planted the maize used specifically for popcorn, finding that this crop was more stable than maize planted for fresh corn. Today, popcorn is known as the official state snack of Illinois.

Now we can buy popcorn in all kinds of ways. Pre-popped in bags on the grocers shelf, at state fairs and other outdoor events as kettle corn, flavored popcorn in popcorn gift tins, caramel popcorn with nuts (remember Cracker Jacks?) and, of course, freshly popped in every movie theatre lobby. The smell of popcorn has become synonymous with going to the movies.

With the advent of home theatres, we are staying home to watch our films more often. To make the experience complete, make some fresh popcorn at home, using unpopped gourmet popcorn. These tips will help you select the best unpopped gourmet popcorn for your family.

To find which popcorn pops the most kernels, look for the freshest popcorn you can find. This isn't going to be the stuff that has been sitting on the shelf at the grocers in a plastic bag. Even if the expiration date is still valid, the popcorn is likely to be stale. Stale popcorn will leave behind many unpopped kernels, have hard hulls that can cause dental and digestive problems and simply not taste like fresh popcorn should. The freshest popcorns will come from merchants who specialize in premium gourmet popcorn. You can find many merchants online who often have sample packs to allow you to taste a variety of their popcorns.

Consider whether you want your final product to be big, fluffy pieces or smaller, fluffy pieces. Each has their advantages. The larger kernels are best for flavored popcorn like caramel popcorn or kettle corn. The disadvantage is that the hulls can be tougher, sometimes causing gastric distress or dental problems for certain people. Smaller hulls are bred and harvested at just the right time to shatter when they pop. Essentially, the hull is destroyed which eliminates those annoying intestinal and dental problems. The popped corn is smaller, which is less than ideal for layering caramel or chocolate; however, the smaller size is a perfect size for kids with their little hands and mouths. These baby varieties of popcorn can be exactly the thing you have been looking for when it comes to finding a healthy snack for your young children.

Unpopped gourmet popcorn comes in many varieties and several colors. Look for varieties that are all natural and have not had their hulls dyed with food coloring. Most importantly, look for unpopped popcorn is not genetically altered to produce smaller or larger hulls. This is a snack that is naturally grown and best in its natural state.

Store you unpopped popcorn correctly. When stored in a sealed glass jar in a cool cupboard, unpopped popcorn can maintain its freshness for 6-12 months. Popcorn pops because it has a bit of moisture trapped in each kernel. If the corn dries out, more of the kernels will stay closed. You can try to store the corn in the freezer to extend the freshness a few months, but eventually it will lose most of the moisture and you will end up with unpopped kernels and, potentially, a slightly stale taste.

Order some unpopped gourmet popcorn now so you are ready next time you load a new release into that Blue-Ray player. Savour the fresh aroma as it pops and settle in to enjoy the flick and the taste of fresh popcorn.

For more information on unpopped gourmet popcorn and other gourmet gifts, visit http://www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com.

And don't forget to download your FREE copy of 101 Tips for Cooking Like A Chef!

Gourmet Vs Regular Popcorn - What Makes Gourmet Different?

Popcorn is an American institution. Very few things are as ubiquitous, as universal, and as wholesome as popcorn. It is a food that is enjoyed on many occasions. From moviegoers who ask for extra butter to bar goers who enjoy its crunch with their brews. From the birthday party organizers who rely on it for finger food to the families who curl up together in front of a movie, popcorn is a food meant for sharing.

There is a lot of talk about gourmet popcorn, but no real definition of what exactly it is. There are qualities that gourmet popcorn and gourmet popcorn companies share and there are traits that set some types of gourmet flavored popcorn away from the rest of the pack. This article explores three such traits in order to help you find great popcorn for a great price.

A Wealth Of Flavors

One thing all gourmet flavored popcorn companies share is a love for trying to infuse their product with new and interesting flavors. Gone are the days where your only options for popcorn were plain, buttered, cheddar cheese, or caramel. Gourmet popcorn makers are constantly pushing the limits as they try to find that next great flavor.

Some of the newest popcorn flavors are spicy like cinnamon and jalapeno. Some flavors are sweet like chocolate and almond pecan. And some flavors are odd, one off flavors not meant to stick around for more than a season or two. It seems that a big part of what makes popcorn gourmet is a willingness on the part of the maker to push the envelope and expand their line of popcorns to include new and interesting entries.

Painstaking Construction

Perhaps the most important thing about gourmet flavored popcorn is its construction, or how it is made. The methods used when popping the corn and adding the flavor will have a great bearing on how the popcorn will turn out.

Air popping on high heat is the best and the most efficient way to make delicious and fluffy popcorn. However, it is also very important to use high quality all natural popping corn. The toppings on gourmet flavored popcorn are almost always put on immediately after the popcorn is popped. This ensures the flavors and toppings will attach themselves as everything cools down.

Gourmet Is Healthier

Perhaps the largest difference between gourmet and microwavable or store bought popping corn is the nutritional values of the three options. Both microwavable and store bought popping corns are typically loaded with preservatives and have added ingredients for both the cooking and for flavor. These ingredients make these varieties higher in both salts and sugars.

Gourmet varieties, on the other hand, usually don't add more than natural flavors. This means they are lower in salts and sugars, are a good source of fiber, and an all around healthy snack. However, always make sure to check that the popcorn you are purchasing is made of all natural popping corn and is healthy for both you and your family.

Kent Arett writes for the gourmet flavored popcorn experts at The Big Popper. They offer gourmet popcorn in their Branson, MO, store and through their website.

All About Gourmet Popcorn

If your popcorn comes ready-made in a cellophane bag, or you toss a bag of popcorn into the microwave before the big game starts, you're cheating your taste buds out of enjoying the wonderful flavor and texture that can only come from gourmet popcorn.

What Is Popcorn?

Popcorn, short for popped corn, isn't just any corn. It's made from Zea mays everta, a special variety of corn known for its short ears and its odd properties that cause it to burst open into those tasty buds we all love to eat. The reason popcorn 'pops' is because of a higher than normal moisture content inside the kernel, and a harder then normal kernel, or shell, surrounding that moisture.

As the temperature inside the kernel rises, the water expands and turns to steam. When the kernel can no longer resist the internal pressure, it explodes. Inside of the kernel is also a layer of starch. When the kernel explodes, and the superheated starch is exposed to the air, it expands into thin bubbles. These bubbles are attracted to each other, fuse together, and 'pop' it's time to eat!

What Is Gourmet Popcorn?

There is 'gourmet popcorn,' and 'gourmet popped corn.' And it's more than a matter of semantics. Gourmet popcorn refers to the type of corn used. Gourmet popped corn refers to the flavorings you add to the popcorn once it has been cooked.

What's The Best Gourmet Popcorn To Buy?

There are no labeling guidelines or laws that determine which popcorn brands can be labeled 'Gourmet,' so you're on your own here. There are several popular brands of popcorn on the shelves, as well as brands that are less well known but are often just as good.

Experiment with different ones until you find your favorite. But don't you dare buy that popcorn that comes in the aluminum foil pan that you heat on the stove. You want popcorn that's been kept away from excess moisture and that is as fresh as possible. And for that, you need popcorn that's stored in a jar.

If you want true gourmet popcorn, then you'll have to hit the Internet or gourmet food stores. Look for organic, hull-less corn. The hull, that dark center inside every kernel, is all but missing in the hull-less varieties.

Some good brands include Black Hills, Riehle's, and Amish Country Popcorn. If you try the Amish brand, you should definitely order a jar of 'red' and a jar of 'blue'. It's not about color, it's about taste and texture. The red is a bit more crunchy than the average popcorn, and the blue is naturally sweet with a very strong corn taste.

Here's Where The Gourmet 'Popped' Part Comes In

Gourmet popped corn is popcorn that's flavored with spices or other ingredients. Because there is no way for the flavoring to penetrate the hard kernel, the process of turning ordinary popcorn into gourmet popcorn, begins when things get popping!

Depending upon the type of flavoring and cooking equipment used, the gourmet ingredients are added either during the popping process, or after. Forget hot air poppers or microwaves. True gourmet popcorn has to be cooked in hot oil in order to bring out its full flavor. You can either heat oil in a pan, or use an electric hot oil popper.

The electric models have a hot plate that you lightly coat with a tablespoon or two of oil. The unpopped kernels, one-third to one-half of a cup, are spread on top of the plate, and a tall see-through cover goes over it all. Plug it in and a little automatic arm moves the kernels around to keep them from sticking or burning. After a couple of minutes, the popping begins and that wonderful aroma fills the room.

Most electric poppers have a perforated indented area on the top of the cover you can use to drip liquid flavorings into the popcorn while it's popping. It's also a good spot to lay a slab of seasoned butter, because the heat will cause it to start melting around the same time the corn starts popping.

If you are seasoning your popcorn with dry ingredients, or wet but sticky ingredients like maple syrup, caramel, or other sugar-based substances, you need to wait until the popcorn is transferred into the serving bowl before adding them. If you're going to cook popcorn on the stovetop, here's how to do it:

- Choose a covered pot tall enough to hold the cooked popcorn. One-half a cup yields 3 ½ to 4 quarts depending upon how fresh the kernels are.

- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable, canola, or gourmet popcorn oil into the pot and set it uncovered over medium heat.

- Drop one kernel into the oil, cover the pot, and wait for it to pop.

- Remove the cover and quickly pour the remaining kernels into the pot. Watch out for hot oil splatter!

- Gently shake the pot over the flame until one kernel pops. Then replace the cover and keep shaking the pot to keep the kernels from burning.

- When the popping begins to get fast and furious, tip the pot away from your face and body, and tilt the cover open slightly to let some steam escape. Then replace the cover and keep shaking until the popping slows down noticeably. Be careful you don't scald yourself when the steam escapes!

- Don't wait until the popping stops altogether, or you'll end up with burned popcorn on the bottom of the pan.

Whether you're cooking stovetop, or using an electric popper, dump the cooked popcorn into a serving bowl, add your gourmet flavorings, mix to coat, and dig in! Of course, eating gourmet popped corn requires adding gourmet ingredients. And there is virtually no end to the ingredients you can add.

If you'd like to get 52 gourmet popcorn recipes for free, so you never have to eat the same popcorn twice in a year, go to FreeGourmetPopcorn.com [http://freegourmetpopcorn.com]. Their most popular gourmet popped corn recipes are right on the home page, and you can sign up for their free newsletter and get 52 more. Lisa Dozois is a freelance article and copywriter specializing in helping her clients raise their visibility and sell more products and service. To put Lisa to work for you, Click here.

All About Gourmet Popcorn

If your popcorn comes ready-made in a cellophane bag, or you toss a bag of popcorn into the microwave before the big game starts, you're cheating your taste buds out of enjoying the wonderful flavor and texture that can only come from gourmet popcorn.

What Is Popcorn?

Popcorn, short for popped corn, isn't just any corn. It's made from Zea mays everta, a special variety of corn known for its short ears and its odd properties that cause it to burst open into those tasty buds we all love to eat. The reason popcorn 'pops' is because of a higher than normal moisture content inside the kernel, and a harder then normal kernel, or shell, surrounding that moisture.

As the temperature inside the kernel rises, the water expands and turns to steam. When the kernel can no longer resist the internal pressure, it explodes. Inside of the kernel is also a layer of starch. When the kernel explodes, and the superheated starch is exposed to the air, it expands into thin bubbles. These bubbles are attracted to each other, fuse together, and 'pop' it's time to eat!

What Is Gourmet Popcorn?

There is 'gourmet popcorn,' and 'gourmet popped corn.' And it's more than a matter of semantics. Gourmet popcorn refers to the type of corn used. Gourmet popped corn refers to the flavorings you add to the popcorn once it has been cooked.

What's The Best Gourmet Popcorn To Buy?

There are no labeling guidelines or laws that determine which popcorn brands can be labeled 'Gourmet,' so you're on your own here. There are several popular brands of popcorn on the shelves, as well as brands that are less well known but are often just as good.

Experiment with different ones until you find your favorite. But don't you dare buy that popcorn that comes in the aluminum foil pan that you heat on the stove. You want popcorn that's been kept away from excess moisture and that is as fresh as possible. And for that, you need popcorn that's stored in a jar.

If you want true gourmet popcorn, then you'll have to hit the Internet or gourmet food stores. Look for organic, hull-less corn. The hull, that dark center inside every kernel, is all but missing in the hull-less varieties.

Some good brands include Black Hills, Riehle's, and Amish Country Popcorn. If you try the Amish brand, you should definitely order a jar of 'red' and a jar of 'blue'. It's not about color, it's about taste and texture. The red is a bit more crunchy than the average popcorn, and the blue is naturally sweet with a very strong corn taste.

Here's Where The Gourmet 'Popped' Part Comes In

Gourmet popped corn is popcorn that's flavored with spices or other ingredients. Because there is no way for the flavoring to penetrate the hard kernel, the process of turning ordinary popcorn into gourmet popcorn, begins when things get popping!

Depending upon the type of flavoring and cooking equipment used, the gourmet ingredients are added either during the popping process, or after. Forget hot air poppers or microwaves. True gourmet popcorn has to be cooked in hot oil in order to bring out its full flavor. You can either heat oil in a pan, or use an electric hot oil popper.

The electric models have a hot plate that you lightly coat with a tablespoon or two of oil. The unpopped kernels, one-third to one-half of a cup, are spread on top of the plate, and a tall see-through cover goes over it all. Plug it in and a little automatic arm moves the kernels around to keep them from sticking or burning. After a couple of minutes, the popping begins and that wonderful aroma fills the room.

Most electric poppers have a perforated indented area on the top of the cover you can use to drip liquid flavorings into the popcorn while it's popping. It's also a good spot to lay a slab of seasoned butter, because the heat will cause it to start melting around the same time the corn starts popping.

If you are seasoning your popcorn with dry ingredients, or wet but sticky ingredients like maple syrup, caramel, or other sugar-based substances, you need to wait until the popcorn is transferred into the serving bowl before adding them. If you're going to cook popcorn on the stovetop, here's how to do it:

- Choose a covered pot tall enough to hold the cooked popcorn. One-half a cup yields 3 ½ to 4 quarts depending upon how fresh the kernels are.

- Pour 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable, canola, or gourmet popcorn oil into the pot and set it uncovered over medium heat.

- Drop one kernel into the oil, cover the pot, and wait for it to pop.

- Remove the cover and quickly pour the remaining kernels into the pot. Watch out for hot oil splatter!

- Gently shake the pot over the flame until one kernel pops. Then replace the cover and keep shaking the pot to keep the kernels from burning.

- When the popping begins to get fast and furious, tip the pot away from your face and body, and tilt the cover open slightly to let some steam escape. Then replace the cover and keep shaking until the popping slows down noticeably. Be careful you don't scald yourself when the steam escapes!

- Don't wait until the popping stops altogether, or you'll end up with burned popcorn on the bottom of the pan.

Whether you're cooking stovetop, or using an electric popper, dump the cooked popcorn into a serving bowl, add your gourmet flavorings, mix to coat, and dig in! Of course, eating gourmet popped corn requires adding gourmet ingredients. And there is virtually no end to the ingredients you can add.

If you'd like to get 52 gourmet popcorn recipes for free, so you never have to eat the same popcorn twice in a year, go to FreeGourmetPopcorn.com [http://freegourmetpopcorn.com]. Their most popular gourmet popped corn recipes are right on the home page, and you can sign up for their free newsletter and get 52 more. Lisa Dozois is a freelance article and copywriter specializing in helping her clients raise their visibility and sell more products and service. To put Lisa to work for you, Click here.