KingOfPOP Popcorn

KingofPop is a online only popcorn distributor, who produces exclusively for gift baskets and popcorn of the month clubs.  Yes, this is an entire business.

"Wow them with the gourmet gift of a handcrafted popcorn tin. Our delicious popcorn has been pleasing the people since we started making the stuff in small batches in 2012. Our gourmet popcorn is offered in close to 20 unique flavors and is focused on delivering a freshness our customers can taste. Our flavor offerings are made from scratch every day, using non-GMO corn grown in the USA, and the finest available ingredients. Each batch is rigorously tested for a crisp bite, satisfying taste, and five-star quality appearance, resulting in an irresistible snack for all to enjoy."

Given my love of snacks, and popcorn in particular, I obviously had to try them, and had the opportunity over the holidays when gift baskets started pouring in to the office.  Others rejected their gift baskets, but you know, one man's trash ... is totally my treasures!

"We all l-o-v-e movie popcorn, but no longer is it just a film night side-kick. Sure, it’s still great to munch on while you’re keeping up with pop culture, but we’ve given this snack one heck of a makeover and you’ll find that your favorite snack is now not just tastier, but way more versatile. Delicious, fun, and always handcrafted, our gourmet popcorn is nothing less than the best."

I didn't look into the company all that much, besides to see that they offer a wide variety of gift basket formats (lots of towers!), for a variety of occasions, with a slew of holiday specials.

"When it comes to handcrafted gourmet popcorn, leave the flavor profiles to us. We pride ourselves on our ability to come up with enticing popcorn flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you coming back for more, one kernel at a time. From sweet and savory kettle corn, to peanut butter cup, to cheesy cheddar, and classic caramel, there’s simply a flavor for every taste."

I tried several varieties, not ones I would have picked necessarily, but the ones that were included in our baskets.   If I were able to pick, the Hickory Maple Bacon Kettle Corn, Birthday Cake, Cookies & Cream, Peanut Butter Cup, or Mint Cookie Mayhem would have been near the top of my list.  Given what I did try ... eh, I wasn't impressed.

Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Kettle Corn.

"Delectable, hand crafted popcorn lightly coated with sugar, drizzled with oil, and then rolled in sea salt and freshly cracked pepper."

"Irresistibly crisp handcrafted kettlecorn that's speckled with sea salt and cracked pepper."

I like kettle corn.  I like savory popcorn.  It seems, I do not like savory kettle corn.

This was just ... strange.  The sweet kettle corn was fine, nicely glazed. The salty element was also good with the kettle corn.  But, the huge chunks of black pepper?  Not so good.

Sweet + pepper just wasn't a winning combination for me.  Maybe I just don't like pepper popcorn though?

Sea Salt & Cracker Pepper Kettle Corn.

I gave it another try, when we got another box.  Same flavor, just a different color box.

This batch was more like caramel corn than kettle corn, darker, more sugary.  

But ... I still don't want pepper on my sweet popcorn!

Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Kettle Corn.

"Handcrafted gourmet popcorn that's dusted with brown sugar and freshly ground cinnamon.

Delicious gourmet popcorn that gives you a kick of sweet cinnamon taste with every bite."

Next, cinnamon and brown sugar.  This was ... well, better than the pepper kettle corn.

It was decent, the cinnamon and brown sugar flavors were both pronounced, and they didn't clash too badly.

But there wasn't anything special about this, and its not a flavor I found myself ever craving.

Candy Cane Peppermint Kettle Corn.

"Sweet and salty kettle corn handcrafted to perfection with speckles of peppermint candy cane."

Finally, peppermint kettle corn.  This one I expected to really love.

It was pretty. Pink.  Nicely coated kernels.

But the peppermint only barely came through, and I didn't like the flavor of the base popcorn.