Caramel Corn vs. Kettle Corn (2024)

FAQs

Caramel Corn vs. Kettle Corn? ›

While both caramel corn and kettle corn are sweet, caramel corn is richer in flavor and texture. Historically sweetened with molasses, caramel corn is most-often candy-coated. The thin, crunchy, sweet coating is derived from melted sugar.

Kettle corn is made by placing kernels in a metal bowl, covering them with oil and sugar, and then cooking the mixture on the stovetop until it reaches a high temperature. Caramel corn is made by combining sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a pot over low heat.

Classic popcorn is mostly popped with oil and butter, while kettle popcorn is traditionally air-popped in an iron kettle. Regular popcorn is considered a healthy snack. While kettle popcorn has similar health benefits, you should watch the sugar.

Caramel corn or caramel popcorn (toffee popcorn in the UK) is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar or molasses based caramel candy shell that is normally less than 1mm thick.

Kettle corn is a sweet variety of popcorn that is typically mixed or seasoned with a light-colored refined sugar, salt, and oil. It was traditionally made in cast iron kettles, hence the name, but in modern times other types of pots and pans are used.

Kettle corn gets its name from its preferred method of preparation, which is in a cast-iron kettle. Another key difference is kettle corn's use of sugar. Along with oil and salt, sugar is added to the kettle and requires constant stirring to avoid burning the sugar. A little bit more work for a little sweeter treat!

Kettle corn is traditionally made in a large, iron kettle that has been oiled. The popcorn is popped before it is tossed with a little salt, and of course some sugar, to give it that addictive flavor. The oil from the iron kettle is what keeps the seasonings on the popped kernels.

Frederick and Louis Rueckheim, two brothers from Germany, came to America and settled in Chicago. In the 1870s, they established a popcorn shop and started experimenting with varieties and toppings. They introduced a new mixture of popcorn, peanuts, and molasses that went viral quickly.

Baking soda is what makes caramel corn chewy with a bit of crunch and gives it the classic brittle texture. The baking soda also helps the mixture to increase in volume which ensures it covers all of the popcorn. It's an essential ingredient and without it you'll likely find the texture of the caramel corn to be off.

Identify the Cause: Grainy caramel sauce typically results from sugar crystallization during the cooking process. This can happen if sugar crystals form on the sides of the saucepan or if the sugar syrup is mixed too much while cooking.

Why does kettle corn look different? ›

Regular popcorn and kettle corn are made from different types of corn. As a result, they differ in the flake shapes of the popped kernels. Regular popcorn comes from butterfly flakes or snowflakes, which are irregular in shape with many popping “wings” that stick out, hence the name.

Popcorn in general is a good source of fiber since it's a whole grain. But as kettle corn has sugar added to it, it has more calories than plain popcorn.

A little sweet, a little salty—and a whole lot of yummy. Available Sizes: Classic Bag (3-, 6- and 12- bag pkg)

Regular popcorn and kettle corn are made from different types of corn. As a result, they differ in the flake shapes of the popped kernels.

Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt together in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Stop stirring, and boil mixture for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla until well combined.

Candy corn (surprise!) is mainly pure sugar

The ingredients in candy corn from Brach's, the largest manufacturer of the stuff, are sugar, corn syrup, confectioner's glaze, salt, dextrose, gelatin, sesame oil, artificial flavor, honey, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 3.