I Can't Always Change People's Political Opinions, But I Can Change Their Opinions On Popcorn

Ever had a bad batch of popcorn ruin a movie night? Even the best movies can get overshadowed by a batch of popcorn with no flavor. Maybe someone put too little salt. Or they could've used sugar instead of salt.

No matter the reason, it's not fun when someone makes a bad batch of popcorn. It's weird when someone can't see why it doesn't work.

In the twenty-first century, we're more divided than we ever were before. You never know what opinion is going to start an argument with someone else. It doesn't matter if it's pineapple on pizza or ketchup on macaroni and cheese. You're going to start a fight with your beliefs.

Unlike politics, there is one thing I changed people's opinions on regularly. Some people are purists with their popcorn. They only want to add salt and butter. Anything else can sound like an abomination. But it's not. People don't realize that there is one ingredient that can make your popcorn go from great to fantastic.

All you need is parmesan cheese and garlic salt

When people hear what I do with my popcorn, they recoil at first. They think, "What the hell are you doing?" Most people don't want to deviate from their bland concoctions of butter and salt.

If you tell someone that's what you're doing to the popcorn before making it, they won't touch it. The purists will think of your combination as an abomination before they put it in their mouths.

But if you make it and not tell them, they'll have no choice but to eat it. When they like it, they'll ask you what you put in it. The shock will be amusing, but you'll end up converting another one to the way of parmesan cheese.

As you noticed, it's not the garlic salt that scares people away from popcorn seasoning. For some people, salt is salt. It's the parmesan that makes people hesitate. The thought of cheese on popcorn will make the purist retch.

However, it's not a block of cheese, like what you'd see on a cheese and cracker plate. It's the kind you use to sprinkle on pizza and spaghetti. It's the shakers from the supermarket. Your basic Kraft and other brands will work out nicely.

How to make the perfect popcorn

No matter if you cook from a pan or a popcorn maker, you need to make sure it's nice and oiled. If you cook from a pan, don't spin the pot. Leave it alone, and you'll have maximum popping.

Melt some butter while you're waiting for your popcorn. I'm lactose intolerant, so I found a butter-like oil. It's similar to what you'd find in the movie theatres.

Once the popcorn's ready, you pour the butter, then sprinkle on the garlic salt. You'll want to do the garlic salt first, so you don't make your bowl too salty. Then you add parmesan cheese. Stir up the popcorn, then add more butter or cheese if you need it. You should taste a hint of salt.

You're finished when you like the taste of your popcorn. I like lighter salt and a little more parmesan myself. But some people like the opposite. You're the one who's going to eat the stuff. So you can season it how you wish.

The takeaway

My fiance was a purist too. He used to add butter and salt, nothing else. I didn't convert him right away. I started with garlic salt then slowly added parmesan cheese. Now, he's as hooked as I am.

It doesn't take much to make a bowl of popcorn better. It's all in your preferences. Parmesan cheese doesn't seem like much at first, but it could be the different between a good bowl of popcorn and a perfect bowl.