Hey, movie theater popcorn — you salty siren of the cinema — words out your kernels are covered in chemicals. With no transparency in labeling, how long have you lured moviegoers to the concession counter only to seduce and deceive us with your faux golden, pseudo buttery deliciousness? Not to mention all the big bucks weve spent on those big bogus buckets of you that we so earnestly munch in the dark. Just because it turns out youre inadvertently vegan and gluten free still doesnt mean youre good for us. So, what the heck are you made of anyway?
Meet movie theater popcorns three main ingredients: Flavacol, butter flavored topping and, wait for it – buttery flavoring. Yum!
Flavacol is a seasoned powder that goes on the corn before its popped. It contains only four ingredients: super-fine salt, artificial flavor and two synthetic yellow dyes that give the popcorn its vibrant buttery-ish color. While Flavacol has zero calories and zero fat, carbs, protein, or vitamin and mineral content, it packs a wallop in the sodium department. One teaspoon contains 116 percent of your recommended daily intake of sodium, based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet. So, heads up if you have high blood pressure or want to monitor your sodium consumption for other health reasons.
And that butter flavored topping? It — warning, betrayal alert — doesnt have any butter in it at all.
What it does contain is partially hydrogenated soybean oil (a trans fat thats super bad for you: think heart disease), beta-carotene (a natural pigment that can also be made in a lab), tertiary Butylhydroquinone or TBHQ (a synthetic preservative that keeps the oily golden fluid from becoming rancid as it sits) and polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS (a silicone-based chemical that prevents, ew, foaming) and is actually, not kidding, the main component of Silly Putty.
The final ingredient? The one that gives movie theater popcorn its yummy, irresistible taste? TA DA: buttery flavoring, a 100 percent non-dairy, mystery chemical that merely mimics the taste of butter.
Another slap in the face is that movie theater butter flavored topping has 20 more calories per tablespoon than real butter. So, if your large bucket of plain popcorn is about 1,000 calories with just the Flavacol seasoning on it and you choose to add a minimum of three tablespoons of buttery topping or as much as six if you opt for a squirt in the middle and a squirt on top, the large bucket you nosh on while watching the latest blockbuster could be more than 2,000 calories.
Popcorn, youre breaking our hearts. Its gonna be hard to enjoy a movie now that we know we never knew you at all. Now Thats Interesting
Popcorn lung is the moniker for obliterative bronchiolitis, a life-threatening disease that causes lung scarring, coughing and shortness of breath. It was first spotted among factory employees who worked around diacetyl, a chemical once commonly used as a flavoring agent to give microwave popcorn its rich, buttery taste. Diacetyl is currently considered a potential health hazard for people who vape.
Movie theaters use butter-flavored oil, which has a lower water content than butter so it makes popcorn less soggy. Real clarified butter has the same effect. To make it, melt 2 sticks butter in a glass measuring cup in the microwave. Let sit for a few minutes; the butter will separate into 3 layers.
Meet movie theater popcorns three main ingredients: Flavacol, butter flavored topping and, wait for it – buttery flavoring. Yum!
And that butter flavored topping? It — warning, betrayal alert — doesnt have any butter in it at all.
Flavacol is a seasoned powder that goes on the corn before its popped. It contains only four ingredients: super-fine salt, artificial flavor and two synthetic yellow dyes that give the popcorn its vibrant buttery-ish color. While Flavacol has zero calories and zero fat, carbs, protein, or vitamin and mineral content, it packs a wallop in the sodium department. One teaspoon contains 116 percent of your recommended daily intake of sodium, based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet. So, heads up if you have high blood pressure or want to monitor your sodium consumption for other health reasons.
Hey, movie theater popcorn — you salty siren of the cinema — words out your kernels are covered in chemicals. With no transparency in labeling, how long have you lured moviegoers to the concession counter only to seduce and deceive us with your faux golden, pseudo buttery deliciousness? Not to mention all the big bucks weve spent on those big bogus buckets of you that we so earnestly munch in the dark. Just because it turns out youre inadvertently vegan and gluten free still doesnt mean youre good for us. So, what the heck are you made of anyway?
What it does contain is partially hydrogenated soybean oil (a trans fat thats super bad for you: think heart disease), beta-carotene (a natural pigment that can also be made in a lab), tertiary Butylhydroquinone or TBHQ (a synthetic preservative that keeps the oily golden fluid from becoming rancid as it sits) and polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS (a silicone-based chemical that prevents, ew, foaming) and is actually, not kidding, the main component of Silly Putty.
Making Movie Theater Popcorn At Home | But Better
FAQ
Is movie Theatre butter real butter?
What is the extra butter at the movie theater?
What is in movie theater butter dispenser?
What is the secret to movie theater butter?
Is movie theater butter really butter?
We’re sure there’s nothing you love more than watching the concession worker top off your extra large popcorn with that beautiful, buttery liquid but, as sorry as we are to break it to you, movie theater butter isn’t actually butter.
What is movie theater popcorn butter?
You might want to sit down for this one. Movie theater popcorn butter isn’t actually butter, but a combination of chemicals that give off a buttery taste. According to Extra Crispy, that buttery taste is created by Flavacol, “the yellow powder that gets added during popping to give your popcorn that yellow buttery color,” and other chemicals.
What does theater butter taste like?
Indulgent Flavor: Theater butter is known for its rich and creamy taste. It adds a deliciously salty and buttery flavor to popcorn, elevating the movie-watching experience to new heights. The buttery goodness coats each kernel, creating a heavenly sensation with every bite.
Why is theater butter a must-have for a movie night?
Here are three reasons why theater butter is a must-have for any movie night: Indulgent Flavor: Theater butter is known for its rich and creamy taste. It adds a deliciously salty and buttery flavor to popcorn, elevating the movie-watching experience to new heights.