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Good Housekeeping’s taste testing identified six microwave popcorn picks, including Smash Kitchen, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Orville Redenbacher’s, Newman’s Own, Black Jewell and Skinnygirl. The testers compared flavor, texture and popping performance, while dietitians reviewed ingredients and nutrition; the rankings reflect that test, not a universal measure of taste.
Good Housekeeping has named six microwave popcorn picks after testing popular products for flavor, texture, popping consistency and nutrition. Its recommendations range from plain organic kernels to buttery and lime-flavored options, giving shoppers choices based on taste and portion size rather than a single style.
The report’s top pick is Smash Kitchen, praised by tasters for crisp, substantial kernels and a buttery-like flavor. Good Housekeeping says the product contains popcorn, palm oil and sea salt, without natural or artificial flavors; its dietitians noted 35 milligrams of sodium per popped cup. Testers described the flavor as balanced and the texture as crisp but easy to eat.
365 by Whole Foods Market is the plain-kernel choice: the report says it contains only popcorn and is certified organic. Testers liked its fluffy, crisp kernels and generous yield. For shoppers who prefer a ready-seasoned option, the report also assessed the brand’s Light Buttery and Buttery varieties. It says the Buttery option has 30 more calories, 3.5 grams more fat and 2.5 grams more saturated fat than the Light version; the comparison is between those flavors.
The other picks are Orville Redenbacher’s, for a mild, lasting flavor; Newman’s Own, for light seasoning and crunch; Black Jewell, for crisp heritage black corn; and Skinnygirl, for a smaller bag with lime flavor. Good Housekeeping says Newman’s Own gives 100% of its profits to charity. The report notes that Black Jewell’s kernels may look burnt after popping because of the heritage black corn, and that Skinnygirl has more sodium per serving than the other picks, without supplying the exact figure in the provided material.
Choosing Popcorn by Taste and Portion
The list matters to shoppers because microwave popcorn varies not only in flavor, but also in serving size, sodium, fat and ingredients. A product that seems moderate per cup can contribute more sodium or fat when someone eats several cups, so the report recommends checking the nutrition panel and bag’s serving count before buying.
The picks also serve different preferences: plain kernels let consumers add their own seasoning, while flavored varieties offer convenience and a more defined taste. The test gives readers a comparison based on one publication’s tasting process, but it does not establish that every shopper will prefer the same products.
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How Good Housekeeping Tested Each Bag
According to the report, the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab reviewed ingredients and nutrition facts, prioritizing short ingredient lists, less than 50 milligrams of sodium and less than 2 grams of fat per one-cup popped serving. The report says those were screening priorities, not a guarantee that every recommended product meets every threshold.
Testers popped three bags of each brand, counted unpopped and burnt kernels, and had staff and consumer tasters assess flavor, aroma, crunch, texture and mouthfeel. The resulting recommendations combine sensory impressions with popping performance and nutritional considerations. The supplied source excerpt does not give a publication date or a full comparative scorecard.
““It’s got the perfect amount of flavor, and I just love how it’s crispy but also really melts in your mouth.””
— Good Housekeeping taste tester, as quoted in the report
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Limits of the Published Taste Test
The supplied report does not state when the testing took place, how many people participated in the tasting, or the exact scores used to rank each brand. It also does not provide full nutrition figures for every product, including the precise sodium amount in Skinnygirl’s serving.
Taste results are based on the publication’s staff and consumer testers and may not match individual preferences. The report’s screening criteria and comments do not establish that every recommended popcorn is the healthiest choice for every person or dietary need.
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What Shoppers Can Check Next
Readers can compare the recommended products with the nutrition facts and ingredient lists on the packages available to them, since formulations and serving information can vary. Check sodium, total and saturated fat, the number of servings per bag and whether the listed serving refers to popped popcorn.
Microwave according to the package directions and listen for the popping to slow; cooking times vary by microwave and product. The supplied source cuts off before completing its guidance on timing, so it does not support a single exact cook time. No follow-up testing or additional ranking has been announced in the provided material.
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Key Questions
Which microwave popcorn did Good Housekeeping rank as its top pick?
The report identifies Smash Kitchen as its top pick, citing crisp kernels, balanced flavor and 35 milligrams of sodium per popped cup.
Which recommendation is plain popcorn?
365 by Whole Foods Market is the plain-kernel choice described in the report. It says the certified organic product contains only popcorn, allowing shoppers to add their own seasoning.
How did the testers evaluate the popcorn?
Good Housekeeping says it popped three bags of each brand, counted unpopped and burnt kernels, and gathered ratings on flavor, aroma, crunch, texture and mouthfeel. The Nutrition Lab also reviewed ingredients and nutrition facts.
What should shoppers compare on the label?
Check sodium, total and saturated fat, ingredients, serving size and bag yield. Sodium and fat can add up if you eat more than the listed serving.
Source: rss
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