Orville Redenbacher, the standout figure behind the iconic popcorn brand, has long demonstrated the mantra of excelling in a singular focus. For many, popcorn is an essential snack, especially during cozy movie nights. However, one common challenge with homemade popcorn can be its flavor. Recently, I discovered that Orville Redenbacher’s, a favorite in microwave popcorn, has introduced a line of seasonings. Eager to enhance my popcorn experience, I decided to sample five different flavors for a gourmet popcorn taste test. Here’s my candid review of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn seasonings.
The legacy of Orville Redenbacher is well-known. His name is almost synonymous with microwave popcorn—after all, who can forget the cheerful figure on the red box? Referred to as the “Popcorn King,” Redenbacher was an American agriculturist dedicated to producing larger, fluffier popcorn. By the 1970s, his name became a staple in households across the United States. Even in his 80s, Redenbacher remained the face of the brand, appearing in numerous commercials wearing his signature bow tie and glasses. The brand offers a variety of products, from classic butter to low-fat and whole grain options, as well as plain kernels.
Recently, a fun pop culture moment emerged with Lady Gaga handing out popcorn at a special screening of her upcoming film, “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The excitement around the film and its star only adds to the popcorn experience!
Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn seasonings come in eight flavors, catering to both savory and sweet preferences. The available options are as follows:
1. Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
2. Movie Theater Butter
3. Nacho Cheese
4. White Cheddar
5. Vlasic® Dill Pickle
6. Ranch
7. Buffalo Wild Wings® Buffalo Sauce
8. Cinnabon® Bakery Inspired Cinnamon Roll
One notable aspect of popcorn is its reputation as a low-calorie snack, especially when prepared at home. However, toppings can often turn it into a more indulgent treat. Thankfully, Orville Redenbacher’s seasonings maintain a light profile, containing zero calories per serving (a quarter teaspoon) and no fat. They are also gluten-free and devoid of artificial dyes, although each flavor does have a modest sodium content (45–55 mg per serving).
Now for the fun part—popping and tasting the flavors! Here’s my ranking of the five seasonings I tried, from my favorite to least impressive. It’s important to apply the seasoning lightly, as the powder tends to be quite fine, resulting in a dusty appearance in the bowl.
1. White Cheddar – This flavor easily excelled above the rest. Reminiscent of Smart Food popcorn, the white cheddar flavor is sharp without being overwhelming or artificial, making it irresistibly good.
2. Nacho Cheese – Perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors, this seasoning delivers a tangy kick similar to Mexican cheese blends. While it doesn’t fully replicate real nachos, it certainly adds some excitement to the snack.
3. Movie Theater Butter – This seasoning does a fair job mimicking classic buttery popcorn, although it leans towards a cheesy aftertaste. While the flavor is mild, it still invokes a nostalgic movie theater vibe.
4. Cinnabon Bakery-Inspired Cinnamon Roll – This unique flavor was intriguing but not my favorite. While the cinnamon taste is present and not overpowering, it lacks the sweetness typically expected from a Cinnabon-inspired treat.
5. Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn – This flavor, while decent, did not impress as much, possibly due to my personal dislike for kettle corn. It offers a balanced sweet and salty taste but lacks a standout quality.
In summary, Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn seasonings provide an enjoyable way to experiment with popcorn flavors. My clear favorite was the White Cheddar, while some others didn’t quite meet expectations. Nonetheless, each seasoning adds a new dimension of taste without the added calories.