Left: Korean "big popcorn;" right: Peruvian chulpe
On last week’s visit to the Buford Highway Farmers Market I found two interesting kinds of popcorn that Orville Redenbacher wouldn’t recognize if they bit him on his bowtie.
On the left we have Korean-style popcorn — one of many puffed grain snacks collectively called pung twi gi. I remember trying similar puffed rice and corn snacks being sold as street food in Japan when I lived there.
It is very lightly sweetened, which I find appealing. This 6-ounce bag contains 5 recommended servings, which seems generous. I’d estimate each serving at about 2 cups, with a calorie count of 121. I find it a satisfying snack, and my kids like it in their lunchboxes.
On the right is chulpe, which Peruvian restaurants often serve with beverages before the meal. I had no idea it was a popcorn, and the bag doesn’t give you any indication. It simply instructs you to toast the corn kernels in oil in a skillet until they begin to brown and smell …