Snackmas Day 11- Joe & Seph's Popcorn: Belgian Chocolate & Mint and Belgian Chocolate & Orange

Looking for an alternative to top up your Christmas Do snack bowls? How about a stocking filler? Magical movie muncher? Look no further! Joe & Seph's, the popcorn Prancers, have us covered with 2 "of the season" flavours - Mint Choc and Choc Orange! 

My Snackmas Elf, Charlotte, ordered me the 80g bags from Ocado when they were £2.99 each - They do tend to be on offer quite a bit though so keep your eyes peeled. Both varieties contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives and they are also suitable for vegetarians and the Gluten Free-ers. 

Caramel, Belgian Chocolate & Mint

Tearing into the bag, the minty, refreshing scent was most potent and very inviting. Grabbing a handful, the aroma proved to reflect in the taste with just the right balance of mint, pairing with the dark cocoa tones of the chocolate for that "After Eight" feel, combined with buttery sweetness from the caramel. Texture wise, the corn was of the aerated, munchy crunchy kind opposed to a "healthy" light and fluffy stuff with no unpopped kernels at the bottom of the packet, making for one indulgent, mint lingering treat! A 4.5 out of 5 from me. 

Caramel, Belgian Chocolate and Orange

I was expected to be bowled over by citrus upon opening the bag but this turned out to be not the case - Orange was there but not overly potent. Thankfully, taste wise it did deliver a zesty kick, complimenting the smooth and creamy milk chocolate wonderfully. Further sweetness came from the caramel coating which similarly to above, reminded me of a frosted Butterkist Popcorn with a harder, more luxury feel. Chocolate Orange fans rejoice! - It's another 4.5 out of 5 from me. 

Overall, both these Joe & Seph's Popcorns are sublime and near enough faultless - With both the Mint and Orange flavours being spot on and the quality of corn itself being unbeatable in my opinion, my only grumble is the price tag and the size of the bags.. But then again, given how addictive the stuff is, any more grammage and chances are, I won't be fitting into my Santa suit! Now, go read Peanut's review and reap in the Brandy Butter!

Review- Ikorn NEW Gourmet & Health Kick Popcorn: Sweet, Salted & Himalayan Salted

Last week, a lovely chap called Richard (Hi Richard!) from Ikorn Popcorn contacted me asking if I would like to try their recently released, brand spanking NEW Premium Gourmet Popcorn. I was never going to refuse such an offer and in no time at all, an assorted box of 12, 25g bags landed on my doorstep.

Ikorn is proud to present you with our Popcorn. We use the highest quality non GM, butterfly corn along with premium coconut oil to bring you this delicious snack. Using the finest corn, finest ingredients and finest recipes, we satisfy the finest popcorn connoisseur. We're sure you won't be disappointed. Gluten and Wheat free. 

Inside was 3 flavours, all having under 120 calories each.. Sweet Korn and Salted Corn (RRP £1.29) along with a Himalayan Salted (RRP £1.49) coming from the Health Kick range - With some very fancy thick packaging that was almost a struggle to get into, I might add! All made from the most poppy, voluminous corn known to man, the team at Ikorn tried and tested over 40 different varieties of the stuff to ensure only the best was to make it into their product with refined coconut oil and Virgin Organic coconut oil (Used in the Health Kick) being the catalyst to ensure for the most fulfilling, healthy snacking option - None of this "cheapy" Canola oil which is slowly killing us all. 

Tech to your eyeballs, Folks.. Or save and zoom for those less frivolous. 

Sweet Korn

Starting with the Sweet and my personal favourite when it comes to Popcorn flavours, upon opening the bag an immediate buttery scent was apparent with what I thought was lemon tones despite none being in the ingredients. Taste wise, the sweetness I envisaged wasn't quite there and certainly not the sugary stuff I am used to with some pieces being more coated that others, in turn being a bit hit or miss on the flavour front! It did however have that "cinema-esque" feel with a satisfying airy crunch, transitioning into melt in the mouth goodness. A 3.5 out of 5 from me. 

Salted Korn

Moving onto the Salted.. I have to say I was dubious - I have never been one for savoury Popcorns with the whole notion just not sitting well with me quite frankly! Trying to keep an open mind, the Popcorn once again had the buttery and lemon scents mentioned above but of course this time, not remotely sweet in taste. The salt was undeniable and at first a bit of a shock for me but thankfully with the buttery tones, things mellowed and along with another fantastic texture, it really wasn't half bad! It's a 3 out of 5 from me. 

Himalayan Salt

Some salt is good for you too, don't cha know! Get zooming and reading please.. Apologies for the blue hue!

Last but by no means least, the Health Kick Himalayan Salted, designed for those super duper health conscience. Tearing into the bag, as seen previously it was almost full to the brim with the decently sized Popcorn pieces although this time not having the familiar buttery aroma. I grabbed a handful and got munching.. Salt. That is all I can say. I found this variety to be overly salty - Almost to the point where it was unbearable. I can't fault the light, melty feel and total lack of hard husks or kernels but the sheer amount of salinity was all to much for me.. But brilliant, I expect if you're on a bit of a sugar rush! It's a 2 out of 5 from me. 

Overall, it is mixed bag from Ikorn. I really can't fault the texture and quantity found in an individual bag but I do feel the flavours need tweaking ever so slightly.. Ideally, more sweet in the Sweet and less salt in the Salt with a better distribution of coating to ensure the flavour flows throughout. The team at Ikorn are currently working on obtaining retail outlets (And expanding the flavour range!) so in the mean time, do check out Ikorn online if you fancy ordering yourself some Popcorn in bulk and go say "Howdy Do!" on Twitter. Thanks Ikorn!

Snackmas Day 19- Joe & Seph's Mince Pie Popcorn

What a better thing to cuddle up with in front of a film than a big bowl of Popcorn - There is no need for Mistletoe and Wine but you do need a Mince Pie in the other hand so why not go for a hybrid! Joe & Seph's have us covered..

I picked up the 80g bag way back in October for £3.15 in a little Deli in Southwold - I knew Snackmas was coming so started stocking up early! The golden sticky pieces are designed to start with smooth caramel, followed by Brandy infused fruit and nutty almond to finish - Rich and aromatic just like a Mince Pie.

Buttery and boozy was the smell of these coated nuggets which had a perfect light, airy crunch with no lurking unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag - Something I always appreciate. Munching my way through I soon realised the description was bang on - First smooth caramel and then the kick of Brandy followed by fruity and spicey tones with a mild nuttiness and what I can only describe as a molasses sort of taste. The flavours transitioned from one another seamlessly although I do think the brandy element was the strongest which really is probably to be expected. Obviously there was no taste of pastry so it isn't exact a mince pie but Christmassy mincemeat, very much so! 

Another fine offering from Joe & Seph's - The quality of corn really is something else with a flavouring to match! It is definitely a bag to get you in the festive spirit and I, myself haven't actually seen anything similar from any other Popcorn people so get yourself a bag whilst you can! Its a 4 out of 5 from me!

Review- Joe & Seph's Strawberry Cheesecake Popcorn

Last month we had Joe & Seph's Salty & Sweet Popcorn.. This month its the turn of the Strawberry Cheesecake variety! Yes, you did read that right. Strawberry and Cheesecake! In Popcorn! What kind of sorcery is this? 

Once again, I picked up the 70g bag at Snape Maltings for £3.50 - A bit cheeky considering its 10g less than the packet previously reviewed. The unique taste experience with this air-popped corn is meant to start with smooth caramel, followed by creamy cheese and to finish, strawberry. 

As you can see, the caramel coated popcorn were pretty uniform in size with no kernels lurking in the bottom of the bag - Always something I appreciate! The lightly dusted in pink powder pieces were crisp on the outside with the satisfying airy crunch interior. As promised, a buttery flavour came through at first with the strawberry then kicking in to produce a very sweet and maybe, slightly artificial flavour. I couldn't really distinguish any cream cheese but would say, it tasted a lot like strawberry milkshake.. Not to mention smelling a lot like one one too! 

Overall, I am a bit unsure on this one. It is nice enough and will really hit the spot if you want something super sweet but it isn't canny to its namesake at all, unfortunately. I am definitely keen to try other flavours from Joe & Seph's as the quality of popcorn itself really is second to none. Its a 3 out of 5 for the not so sorcerous, more Strawberry Milkshake than Cheesecake, Popcorn! 

Review- M&S The Crazy One

Happy Halloween, Folks! I hope you've all got your Pumpkins carved, treats stocked up and are ready to scare off any little Darlings that knock on your door - I'm knee deep in "spooky" biscuits and more then prepared to lob them at any unsuspecting youths! Thats about as devilish as things get in my household so todays review is no TRICK but all the TREAT!

Milk chocolate bar with soft chocolate centre containing butterscotch pieces, popping candy and toffee popcorn pieces

Marks & Spencers, The Crazy One! A sneaky surprise present from the every so lovely yet slightly disturbed, NibsnScribs - Pretty sure she was trying to tell me something with this one! 

This little log shaped delight was a concoction and a half - You could almost say.. Straight out of a Witches cauldron! It smelt amazing and full of rich cocoa. Texture wise, it was a bit of a strange one - Hard and firm yet soft from the truffle like centre with lots of hard bits running throughout which made it very crunchy. The flavour was amazing in being creamy chocolate with caramel tones and very nutty - I can only put this down to the popcorn pieces as no nuts were present! A satisfying crackle came from the popping candy as expected and was as enjoyable as ever.. Even if it did get stuck in my teeth slightly! One thing to note is that as it was so creamy with lots of different flavours it was a smidgen sickly but such a thing rarely deters me! 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Crazy One bar - Perhaps I need to stop buying baked goods from M&S and venture further down the chocolate route! Thanks NibsnScribs for opening my eyes! Its a fiendish, 4 out of 5 from me! 

Review- Joe & Seph's Salty & Sweet Popcorn

I love popcorn but don't eat it anywhere near as often as I would like. I have a problem, ya see.. I will buy a big bag and eat the entire lot - They may say its a healthier option but with the quantity I can eat.. Not so much! I decided to treat myself to this "smaller" bag from Joe & Seph's, Gourmet Popcorn Chef & Connoisseur with the theory that the better the quality, the less I'd eat! 

I picked up the 80g packet at Snape Maltings in Suffolk for £3.50 - A price I don't mind paying for the promise of "gourmet". I struggled to decide which flavour to pick as they had every flavour under the sun including some very quirky offerings but did eventually make a decision and opted for the Salty & Sweet of air popped corn coated in caramel and generously infused with flakes of sea salt.. Because I am ridiculously boring. 

Look at those gleaming pieces of corn! They smelt as amazing as they looked - Full on buttery caramel that was quite similar to the original Butterkist. The nobbly puffs were pretty much perfect - All were evenly and generously coated with no unpopped kernels, lurking at the bottom of the bag. I got munching and a deep, rich taste of sweet caramel came when bitting through the satisfyingly crunchy yet light and airy pieces. A real saltiness came through at the end which surprised me as more often than not, these Salty & Sweet popcorns aren't all that salty! It went perfectly with the sweet and balanced the flavours out perfectly. Faultless and flawless!

So my theory has totally been blown out of the water - The higher quality of popcorn didn't prevent me from scoffing this bag in quick succession! There really is no comparison when it comes to a "gourmet" product and a cheaper equivalent.. It may smell like Butterkist but believe you, me - Its a million times better! I also picked up Joe & Seph's Strawberry Cheesecake Popcorn which will be up for review in the not so distant future. Its 2 thumbs up and almost full marks from me -  4.5 out of 5! 

Review- Tyrrells Coconut & Caramel Poshcorn

Popcorn is my favourite part of going to the cinema. There's something about the smell of a big bag of the sweet, warm kernels which just makes me happy inside.. I wish I could say the same about the prices! Given that the world has gone popcorn mad, I am thankful that the stuff is now readily available, cheaply enough, in a whole host of flavours. Brace yourselves.. This is Coconut & Caramel Poshcorn from Tyrrells! 

A delicate infusion of exotic coconut and a light whisper of caramel, captured in pleasingly airy, fluffy pops. 

I picked up the 75g bag in Tesco. I am guessing it is extremely popular as this was the last rogue bag that had been chucked in with the "healthy" crisps. I couldn't find its place on the shelf with the rest of the popcorns so I haven't the foggiest, of its price. The Tesco website is telling me £1.59 so I shall just go with that! 

Opening the bag was amazing.. I was engulfed by the scent of a tropical paradise! The popcorn was as promised - Light and airy with none of the borderline rubbery texture, you can sometimes find! It dissolved on the tongue after the moreish munching - It was a little to easy to eat, if I am honest! There were no unpopped kernels lurking in the bottom of the bag nor any inedible hard bits to get stuck in your teeth. Taste wise, it was coconut heaven! The flavour was spot on, not overpowering in the slightest or artificial tasting. The caramel came through as subtle undertones which was the perfect pairing to the main flavour of coconut - Anything stronger would have spoilt it, I feel. Yum yum! 

Without a shadow of a doubt, this Coconut & Caramel Poshcorn is my new favourite. A portion may be 22g but at 506 Calories per 100g, with only 3g Saturates and pretending the 22g of Sugar isn't there, I think its perfectly acceptable to eat the entire 75g bag in one sitting.. No? QUICK, someone do the maths and work out the values for 3/4s! It is top marks from me today, 5 out of 5 - All hail the almighty Tyrrells!