All Photos By Gail
Do you like popcorn? I sure do, but it’s a fact that not all popcorn is created equal. Some popcorn snacks taste stale as soon as you open the bag. Others might have too many broken puffs, husks, or the dreaded ‘old maids’ that anyone with expensive dental work lives in fear of encountering. Eek. Fortunately, those seeking news of a delicious and high-quality artisan bagged popcorn snack have come to the right place, because today I am going to tell you about Kettle Heroes popcorn.
Kettle Heroes is an Arizona-based, family-run gourmet artisan popcorn business famous for its online sales of personalized popcorn gifts as well as bulk orders of their bagged popcorn (you know, for family snacking). Thanks to their brand’s ‘pop’-ularity, Kettles Heroes is now offering single-serving bags for the wholesale and retail marketplace. Snack time just got better!
Available in both sweet and savory flavors that include Prickly Pear, Popcorn Zen, Original Sweet and Salty, Aged White Cheddar, Sea Salted Caramel, Hatch Green Chile Cheddar, and Cinnamon Sugar Churros, Kettle Heroes bagged popcorn is a premier on-the-go, allergen-friendly snack that provides a healthy alternative to chips or cookies. The individual bags range from .85 ounces to four ounces by weight, and are perfect for TV time, lunch bags or taking to the office, which is what I did.
One of my favorite popcorn flavors is kettle corn, which you can find at many fairs and carnivals. Kettle Heroes’ version of this classic is their Original Sweet and Salty flavor. You can see from the photo above that the kernels pop up huge, and I am happy to report that it’s perfectly sweet, crunchy and fresh tasting. Another sweet option is the Prickly Pear, which is comparable in crunch, but with a slightly richer, sweet-fruit flavor. The portion size of these bags is perfect for a mid-afternoon snack at your desk.
Another flavor that I was very excited to try from the savory varieties is the Hatch Green Chile Cheddar, as I am a hardcore fan of Trader Joes Hatch Green Chile Mac and Cheese — which, if you’ve tried it, you know is just insane. The difference between the mac and cheese and this popcorn, however, is significant. While the Hatch chiles in the mac and cheese provide a rich flavor, but not much heat, Hatch Green Chile Cheddar popcorn tastes like you are eating cheese-flavored fire. Is it delicious and cheesy? Yes. Does it pack a spicy kick in the tastebuds? You betcha! If you love cheese but bold spice is not your thing, opt for the Aged White Cheddar instead!
Something else that makes Kettle Heroes unique is that every bag features the story of a real-life military veteran on its reverse side. Being aware of the importance of giving back, it’s great to know that sales of this popcorn support the Pat Tillman Foundation, which helps veterans and military spouses through scholarships and leadership development. Kettle Heroes (which was founded in 2013 by brothers Aaron and Rudi Sinykin), also gives back to the community through charitable donations benefiting children’s hospitals, diabetes foundations, cancer awareness organizations, and schools. I love that, and I love their popcorn!
Handcrafting uniquely-flavored popcorn using only the finest quality products, the Sinykin brothers aim to serve as champions of the community and those in need one kernel at a time. For more information, and to shop for Kettle Heroes artisan popcorn online, visit Kettle Heroes Dot Com.