No, I’m not referring to the popcorn you make by adding some green food coloring to the kernels before you start popping them. I’m not even asserting that you could make green popcorn by adding greed food coloring to the kernels.
When you’re bored on a Friday night, go down to the front desk in your dorm. Get the key to your kitchen and start a green popcorn adventure.
Home-made popcorn, which happens to be both better for your health and better for the environment, is “green popcorn.” Here’s how to make it:
1. Add ¼ to 1 cup of unpopped organic popcorn kernels to an unbleached brown paper lunch sack or glass/ceramic bowl.
2.Add 1 tbsp fat, e.g., butter from pasture-raised cows, organic olive oil, etc.
3. If using a bowl, don’t forget to put a glass or ceramic plate on top to prevent a mess. If using a paper bag, fold down the top of the bag.
4. Pop in the microwave just like you do with store-bought microwave popcorn. In other words, use the Popcorn button or set the timer for 3 minutes, and then babysit it by adding 30 seconds at a time as needed until it sounds done.
5. Add salt or other seasonings (e.g., cinnamon and maple sugar, lime juice and chili powder, grated parmesan, etc.) as desired.
NOTE 1: this recipe is extremely forgiving so you do not need to worry about being too exact with your measurements. Just experiment to see what ratio of popcorn: butter you like best!
NOTE 2: two of the main ingredients can be purchased in bulk which enables you to easily cut down on the garbage produced from this meal. Both organic popcorn kernels and sustainably-harvested sea salt are available in bulk from stores such as Kimberton Whole Foods in Downingtown.
All three ingredients have fewer hidden costs because they involve organic, more sustainable methods of food production and thus have caused significantly less soil erosion, water pollution, air pollution, and emission of greenhouse gases.
You’ll note that is only slightly more complex than “stick a bag of microwave popcorn in the microwave.” And why engage in this extra effort, you ask?
Half of the problem is the bag. Microwavable popcorn bags are usually coated with perfluorochemicals (PFCs) which are linked to cancers, reproductive problems, obesity, thyroid problems, ADHD, and other health problems in humans. Even certified organic popcorn bags are typically coated with PFCs (the certified organic designation only applies to the food, not the container).
That’s assuming the bag isn’t also lined with plastic, which, when heated, leach carcinogenic petrochemical products into your food. You shouldn’t heat anything in the microwave in plastic for this reason. Use glass or ceramic containers/bowls instead.
But the bag isn’t the only dangerous component of microwavable popcorn. The chemicals used to create the artificial butter flavoring (diacetyl, etc.) are known to cause lung damage to workers in the microwave popcorn factories. Some consumers have been affected by this as well.
It’s also possible for trans fats to be lurking inside your bag of popcorn. Processed, packaged foods often have dangerous factory-made fats in them, particularly trans fats, which are known to cause a wide-range of health issues. Although the label might say 0% trans fats, by law, manufacturers only have to list a number if the trans fats per serving are higher than 0.5%. Otherwise they can claim 0 trans fats. A better way to know if there are trans fats in your food is to read the label and look for the word “hydrogenated” in the ingredients list.
And if you purchase non-organic microwave popcorn, it most likely contains GMOs (genetically modified organisms). While the EU has invoked the precautionary principle regarding GMOs (i.e., they must first be proven safe before being allowed on the market), the US allows GMOs in our foods and does not require any labeling the presence of GMOs in any packaged foods (i.e., they must be proven dangerous to be removed from the market). Around the world, 26 countries ban GMOs and 60 countries have restrictions on GMOs. For more info, see: http://www.rodalenews.com/labeling-gmo-foods
So skip the prepackaged bag of microwavable popcorn, and just throw some kernels and butter in a bowl to make your own!
Microwavable popcorn facts were summarized from the Rodale Institute’s blog: http://www.rodalenews.com/popcorn-bags,
Sarah Paylor is the secretary of geography and planning. She can be reached at spaylor@wcupa.edu. Dr. Joy Fritschle is a professor of geography and planning and the Sustainability Coordinator. She can be reached at jfritschle@wcupa.edu.