Microwavable corn goodness put to the (blind) test. By Mim Koletschka and Alisara Chirapongse

Pop Weaver Extra Butter

The smell: Buttery, with a hint of banana—just like Beaujolais Nouveau!
The taste: Not too bland, not too salty and not too oily, this pack of popped grains is popcorn heaven. Yummy!
The texture: A little bit chewy, but the taste is so right.
The price: Individual pack, B35

Pop Weaver Garlic & Herb

The smell: Pleasant, almost tart-like, or maybe like momma’s home cooked chicken cream soup.
The taste: Hints of paprika and chicken-soup but mostly just tasteless. The consensus is that it smells great but tastes like s... The makers tried to be fancy with the spices, but clearly failed. This is just not popcorn. Where’s the butter! We need some butter over here!
The texture: Chewy, leaving the roof of your mouth coated in a film of oil.
The price: B105/box of 3 packs

Pop Secret Homestyle

The smell: There is no lingering smell, which foreshadows the taste—forgettable.
The taste: Grandma’s cupboard is dry, people! Apparently, this home is so dirt poor, they can’t go out and buy simple ingredients such as butter and salt. Also if Atkins isn’t the diet you’re on, this might make a “healthy” alternative to the usually butter-laden snack.
The texture: The only good thing about this “homestyle” is the texture, but who cares.
The price: B129/box of 3 packs

Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Butter

The smell: Like Kraft mac ‘n cheese dinners.
The taste: Super buttery. The name doesn’t lie; it’s like American movie theater butter this time around. You know what we are talking about—you shamefully purchase the already buttery popcorn and sheepishly walk over to the butter dispenser, look around to see if anyone is watching, and pump that nozzle like there is no tomorrow. Except this time, you can indulge in this guilty pleasure in the comfort of your own home. No witnesses, no guilt.
The texture: A little on the dry and brittle side for buttery popcorn.
The price: B129/box of 3 packs

Pop Weaver Kettle Corn (Sweet and Salty)

The smell: The top note of the smell is sweet but the rest is not that enjoyable.
The taste: It’s like adding Equal to a perfectly brewed cup of Java—moderately sweet but leaving you with that final taste of artificial remnants floating around on your taste buds.
The texture: It takes you back to the good ol’ days of kindergarten, where joy came in simple endeavors, like chewing on a piece of paper. Except this time, joy was not aroused while munching on this papery popcorn.
The price: B105/box of 3 packs

Pop Secret Kettle Corn (Sweet and Salty)

The smell: According to one of our tasters, the smell is reminiscent of khao phad kraphao. May well be the Thai-est popcorn in the bunch.
The taste: Your sweet tooth will be happy with this real caramel sweetness. A great combo for this Kettle Corn is your sweetheart and a romantic movie, one that makes you cringe at just how ridiculously sweet it’s trying to be.
The texture: Light and crispy, as it should be.
The price: B129/box of 3 packs

Orville Redenbacher’s Natural

The smell: You can smell grilled corn, and this was a blind taste test so the word “natural” has nothing to do with it.
The taste: If you like salt and kidney failure doesn’t scare you, then add some more of this “natural” popcorn into your diet. Unfortunately, this is pretty darn close to the popcorn we get in movie theaters, here.
The texture: Light and crispy. However, you are left with a lingering oily sensation.
The price: B129/box of 3 packs

Pop Secret Extra Butter

The smell: Like a rich creamy soup.
The taste: Not too salty, with a definite focus on butter, which is great. Did we mention that we think popcorn and butter work?
The texture: Smells like soup, tastes like butter and feels like popcorn.
The price: B129/box of 3 packs

Our Pick: Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter

The smell: Uh oh, culture clash. Thai noses say “rotten butter,” while Western ones sniff classic margarine.
The taste: Popcorn and butter works. It’s a fact. More butter just means a happier marriage. Pop Secret knows this and didn’t skimp on the butter. Well done! We see a long and wonderful relationship burgeoning with this taste.
The texture: Crunchy, which is vital for good popcorn.
The price: Individual pack, B29