See if it actually pays off.
When microwaves started featuring a pre-programmed "popcorn" button, it solidified the notion that microwave popcorn is the new standard. Forget the nostalgic stovetop version that inevitably reminds me of the opening scene of the horror flick, "Scream." Microwave popcorn is not going anywhere. It has brought families, friends, and lovers together on the sofa for decades. The best part? When you can't get to the theater for that buttery snack, you just pop it at home!
Since microwave popcorn has been the norm for generations, ensuring you are getting the most popped kernels has become a fun challenge. There are many theories on how to ensure more kernels pop inside the bag. People have manipulated the cooking time, tested different brands, and even tested different microwaves. However, it is not often you hear a hack to get more kernels to pop by freezing the package before the trip to the microwave.
Does Freezing Popcorn Make It Pop Better?
Yes, you heard that right, apparently, freezing your unpopped microwave popcorn bags before you pop them will give you better results. I saw the trick in an old video: freezing your favorite brand of microwave popcorn helps reduce the number of unpopped kernels. Now, frozen microwave popcorn is actually not new. Pillsbury introduced microwave popcorn in 1982, and it was kept in the frozen aisle. Interesting, right? So how does this theory hold up?
Microwave Popcorn Freezer Test
I decided to try this myself. I used the Pop Secret brand. One bag was placed in the freezer overnight, while the other stayed in the standard cabinet. I popped each bag in the microwave for about 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Once done, I took each bag and separated the popped pieces from the unpopped kernels. I then measured to see which bag prevailed.
Based on my experiment, the hack did not work. I got better results from the unfrozen bag. In thinking about why, it seems logical that the frozen kernels take longer to reach the optimal popping temperature, so fewer actually pop. The bag that was kept at room temperature has a head start.
The Bottom Line
Unfortunately, the hack doesn’t guarantee popped perfection. My go-to is always to add 30 seconds more to the cooking time.
But we put another hack to the test, and found that putting popped popcorn in the freezer is the winning trick for keeping it fresh—just make sure, no matter your method, you have enough for yourself and your loved ones to enjoy.
Read the original article on Allrecipes
