Popcorn’s position in the snack pantheon has never been contested. Whether you enjoy it at the movies, as a tasty treat any time of the day, or during the holidays, there are endless varieties from which to choose. Among these varieties are kettle corn and caramel corn. Here’s what you should know about these two options.

Kettle Corn

Once upon a time in the 1700s, European immigrant farmers placed corn in large, well-oiled cast iron kettles to create lard for hogs. They added ingredients such as honey and molasses to produce a savory byproduct treat that blended sweet and salty flavors perfectly, as the oil created something for the additives to cling to. The quick popping resulted in what is known as kettle corn. Served hot or cold, kettle corn was not the first form of popcorn in the new world. Pre-Columbian indigenous people created the snack from maize, a smaller, harder type of corn, in 5000 B.C. Kettle corn has enjoyed a resurgence in the 21st century as a delightful snack served at community fairs and in sweet shops.

Caramel Corn

In the 1870s caramel corn emerged as a popular sweet treat thanks to two German brothers. Frederick and Louis Rueckheim immigrated to Chicago, opened a popcorn store, and started experimenting with toppings to create a wider flavor variety for customers. They blended popcorn with molasses and peanuts, prompting a fan to comment, “That’s a crackerjack!”—a synonym for quality. This resulted in Cracker Jack^®, the famous caramel popcorn with a prize at the bottom of the box. The golden-brown hue the sweet snack is known for comes from caramelized sugar concoctions, mixed with or poured over the popcorn. Plenty of variations exist today, including those mixed with cashews and other nuts.

Delicious old-fashioned caramel popcorn await you at Cracker Box Caramel Pop, a popcorn vending truck providing Lander and Fremont County, WY, residents with homemade treats made from quality ingredients. Visit the family-owned food truck today to pick up what will become your favorite old-fashioned caramel popcorn, which is MSG-free. Call (307) 335-7020 with questions, and visit them online to see a list of their current flavors.Soon, you will be able to purchase this tasty snack online from anywhere in the U.S.