CAPSULE REPORT: This line has been reformulated since our initial review. Previously it was a No Sugar Added line made with maltitol, a slow-metabolizing, calorie-free sugar alcohol, making kettle corn diet and diabetic-friendly. The line has been re-formulated with two forms of sugar, evaporated cane juice and brown rice syrup. This has taken the corns from 100 calories for a 1-1/2 cup serving to 120 calories for a 1-cup serving. Still, the corns are noteworthy for their quality sugars and clarified butter—no trans fats.
We love autumn, because we can go apple picking, drink hot cider and enjoy one of our favorite snacks: kettle corn. For those who are not in the fold, kettle corn is popcorn that is cooked in oil (like most popcorn) and mixed with sugar while it pops.
Kettle corn’s origins are attributed to everyone from cowboys to pioneer families in the 1700s. Whoever started it, the original recipe probably included corn kernels, hog fat and whatever sweetener was available—molasses, honey, sorghum, et al. Even though hog fat has disappeared from modern kettle, other fats, including partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats), have crept into recipes. Lesser Evil takes the healthier route with pure clarified butter—and uses as little as possible to create a delicious corn that is tasty, but still the Lesser Evil.
Lesser Evil specializes in kettle corn, popcorn that is sweeten and also has a pinch of salt to provide avery light salty balance.
Classic KettleCorn is light and buttery (clarified butter is used). One cup, 120 calories, 15 calories from fat.
SinNamon adds just the right touch of cinnamon to the basic kettle corn. Tasty any time of the year, it seems just perfect as a fall-harvest-through-new-year seasonal treat. It’s 120 calories for a 1-cup serving, 20 calories from fat.
Maple Pecan replaced BeeNutty!, a flavor we liked a lot. Here, pecans and maple replace peanuts and honey. It has more calories, too: 120 calories for a 3/4 cup serving, 20 calories from fat. But, tasty!
Black & White, for some reason, did not strike a harmonious chord with us. It’s half KettleCorn, which we like, and half cocoa-glazed corn. It’s obvious what the culprit is. Maybe we had a scratchy batch: We’ll try it again sometime. One cup, 120 calories, 20 from fat.
PeanutButter & Choco mixes cocoa- and PB-glazed corns. We haven’t tasted this one, but it has 120 calories for a 3/4 cup serving, 20 calories from fat.
The products are natural: no preservatives, no trans fats. The ingredients are all kosher-certified and the products are awaiting kosher certification.
Bring your own box of Lesser Evil the next time you go to a fair, amusement park or movie. Rather than the cheap (in quality), trans-fat-laden popcorn peddled there, enjoy the quality, all-natural, Lesser Evil.
LESSER EVIL POPCORN Black & White, KettleCorn, Maple Pecan, PeanutButter & Choco, SinNamon
Kosher certification pending
4-Pack of Boxes
3.65 Ounces Per Box (movie-size)
$15.00
24 “On-The-Go” Bags
2.5 Ounces Per Bag
(a very generous snack)
$40.00
