Method for Producing Flavored Popcorn

This invention concerns a method for applying flavoring to a food and more particularly to a method for preparing flavored popcorn.

Gourmet popcorn having a variety of flavors is very popular and is commercially available at retail stores. It would be desirable to provide a method for making gourmet flavored popcorn in the home which is easy to prepare, has an even-flavor distribution, and does not leave a waxy feel in the mouth.

It would be further desirable if this method for applying flavoring were applicable to heated foods other than popcorn, such as vegetables, potatoes, pasta, rice, or meats.

The method of this invention provides the above-identified benefits.

This invention concerns a method for applying flavoring to a food by preparing a dry-blended fat-flavor mixture in particulate form and sprinkling it on a heated base food. The method is simple and convenient, produces an even flavor distribution, and in contrast to prior known methods for applying flavorings, does not require applying the flavoring while cooking the food in a liquid fat.

A fat-flavor system in particulate form is prepared by dry-blending finely divided solid particles of an edible, metabolizable fat with a flavoring, wherein the fat particles have a melting point of at least about 95.degree. F. The base food is processed to a temperature of at least about 95.degree. F. and the fat-flavor system is applied to the base food, for example, by shaking thereon. The fat-flavor system is maintained in contact with the base food for a time sufficient to permit at least a portion of the fat to melt on the base food.

In a preferred embodiment, the method is useful for producing flavored popcorn having an evenly distributed flavor and which does not leave a waxy feel in the mouth. The fat-flavor system contains about 15 to 75% by weight of a beaded fat consisting of one or more partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as cottonseed and soybean oils.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is a method for applying flavoring to popcorn as hereinafter described. It is understood that the method is also useful for applying flavoring to a variety of heated foods, such as vegetables, potatoes, pasta, rice, or cooked meats.

A fat-flavor system is prepared by dry-blending finely divided solid particles of fat, preferably in beaded or powdered form, with a flavoring. The fat must be stable and remain in its beaded or powdered form at room temperature. It must have a melting point of no less than about 95.degree. F. so that the product is shelf stable at summer temperatures. In preparing flavored popcorn, the melting point of the fat is preferably no greater than about 145.degree. F. so that the popcorn is hot enough to partially melt the fat.

Preferably, the fat is a beaded fat comprising a mixture of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils such as cottonseed and soybean oils. Such a beaded fat is commercially available from Durkee Industrial Foods, SCM Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, under the designation KAORICH high solids beaded shortening. The KAORICH beaded shortening has the following properties:

The fat must be present in sufficient amounts to adhere the flavoring to the popped corn. The fat should thus constitute of from about 15 to about 75% of the fat-flavor system. A typical formula is approximately 50% fat and 50% flavoring.

For example, the fat-flavor system may consist of 45.3% KAORICH shortening, 49.4% of a solid sour cream and onion seasoning blend, and 5.3% of a fine-flake prepared salt. This fat-flavor system will remain free flowing at or below ambient temperatures of about 95.degree. F. and may be packaged in composite cans with both an inner and outer foil liner and a shaker top.

The fat-flavor system is applied to hot popped corn of a temperature of at least 95.degree. F., whereby the fat will be melted by the heat from the popcorn causing the flavoring to adhere to the popcorn. For corn popped in oil in a conventional corn popper, the fat-flavor system may be shaken onto the hot, popped corn immediately after popping, and the mixture stirred and served. For popcorn prepared in a microwave oven, the fat-flavor system is shaken onto the popcorn in the bag immediately after the popcorn has been popped, and the mixture stirred and served. For popcorn prepared in a hot air popper, the fat-flavor system may be shaken directly onto the popped corn as it comes from the popper and lands in the bowl. After all the corn has popped, it is preferable to allow hot air to blow into the bowl for 30 seconds to further assist in melting the fat. The mixture is then stirred and served. In all instances, the fat in the flavor system melts upon contact with the hot, popped corn. The seasoning in the flavor system is caught by the melting fat and is bound to the popped corn. This method produces popcorn having an even flavor distribution wherein the flavor is adhered to the popcorn and does not leave a waxy-mouth feel.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has hereinbefore been described, it will be appreciated that variations of this invention will be perceived by those skilled in the art, which variations are nevertheless within the scope of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.