What does popcorn taste like? Chances are, like me, you would say ‘Salty’. But then here comes Esabelle Gourmet popcorn to expand our palettes and vocabulary, for with them, popcorn is savoury, creamy, sweet, chocolatey, nutty and so much more.
The flavours of this Ugandan made popcorn are so diverse but one thing cuts across: all the popcorn is soft and cushiony. It will have you wondering how you ever enjoyed picking through our usual popcorn. Let’s dive in.
- NEAPOLITAN
Neapolitan is soo pretty with its pinks and browns. It is so opposite to what we are used that we opened it first. If you like a sweet crunchy snack, this is just the flavour for you. It was kind of like ice cream, chocolatey and like straw berry all in one. My mum who was on the panel of tasters refused to try this saying she wanted something more natural and that she is a ‘Natural mother’.
2. CRUNCHY RANCH
Crunchy ranch looks like the safe choice for the non-adventurous pop corn eater. It is cream/yellow/white coloured. Natural mother gave this a go and liked it. Her only criticism was that the salt was too much for her.
It tastes like eating little balls of firm cotton. It has a slight cheesy or buttery taste which serves to remind you that this isn’t your usual popcorn.
3. JALAPENO
I tore this open because my love of chilli runs deep. I did not even bother pouring any in the bowl because I knew few would eat it. Alas! The jalapeno was so mild. It was more the flavour than the taste of the chilli for me and more salty than spicy. But when I asked the non-chilli eater to give it a try, she ran for a glass of water after a few seconds. (Dramatic!) Apparently, the heat comes at the end.
4. PINA COLADA
Food is so much about the look of it. This sunny yellow colour will prompt you to give it a try. It tastes…pineappley and you know what? Really comforting. I don’t know if it was just the bright colour but eating the popcorn felt like getting a high five.
5. BUTTERY
Imported film culture made it so that we associate popcorn with movies watching. However, the thing I most associate popcorn with is a lazy afternoon, no desire to eat anything or do anything for that matter. Now this is the sort of mood that would prompt me to reach For the BUTTERY flavour.
At time of tasting, I think it is the one that is closest to what we grew up with and are used to. Even the smell triggers a feeling of comfort. The salt is demure and the cheesy flavour is really understated.
I would reach for this when I wish to be undisturbed while having a genuinely chill good time.
6. COOKIES AND CREAM
Look if that basic buttery is not for you then come over here. I think one of the goals behind Esabelle was to inject a bit of luxury into your basic snack. I know you might think that Cookies and cream can’t possible work alongside popcorn, but it didn’t not work. To boot, there are little chunks of Oreo in there to remind you that sometimes the best things aren’t either or, they are AND. In this case, sweet and salty.
If you are feeling extra adventurous you can combine a few different packs to create a flavour all you.
7. SNICKERDOODLE
I didn’t know what Snickerdoodle was so I was curious to try. You know how you eat pop corn mindlessly? Just grabbing and putting in your mouth? This is one flavour that makes you stop and pay attention. It has the most interesting mix of flavours and you may find yourself coming back again and again trying to identify each flavour. It is kind of ‘Cinnamonnyish’ said one of my co-tasters but there’s also some nutmeg.
It was not the flavours that made this interesting for me, it was the discovery of them. Your face will change as your brain tries to decode what you are tasting this time. It is not for everyone, but it is a must try at least once.
8. RAINBOW MIX
There is green and red and yellow and orange. I liked orange best but I gave it to some friends to try and this is what they had to say: “I like popcorn and I like colour and I like that it is done. The tastes go off in your head like in Ratatouille. ”
“ It is nice but when you eat too many they are over powering. Where did you get it from?”
The answer to where to buy is: order from 0772 589610/0751 504951 or pick up a pack from Yujo Izakaya, Salama Springs Bugolobi or Glovo App.
9. SPICY CHEESE
Spicy cheese is what it says it is. I found it to actually be hotter than the jalapeno except that the cheese rounds out the heat. Another person said that this flavour ‘Does the thing’.
At times, eating popcorn can feel like eating ill-sorted rice. You just know that at some point, you’re going to hit a hard kernel. Or run into a pot hole as it were. Forget about all that with Esabelle Gourmet popcorn.
We all know that Popcorn works well in group settings and yet With Esabelle Gourmet popcorn, the snack becomes part of the conversation. Don’t be afraid to try it solo however, you will have just as much of a good time. Just be sure to seal it tightly to pick up where you left off on the next day.
Order your own from 0772 589610/0751 504951 or pick up a pack from Yujo Izakaya, Salama Springs Bugolobi the Glovo App or select supermarkets. The small packs range 4k to 9k, with the medium and larger packs costing from 14 to 24k.
PS: This is just a sample of what Esabelle Gourmet Popcorn has to offer, Look out for flavours like Tuxedo drizzle, Sour cream and chives and Caramel and cheese.