It turns out that the term “hull-less popcorn” is just one hull-uva popcorn tale. Here’s why:

Here at Good Trouble Gourmet, we’ll occaisionally get a request from a prospective customer for hull-less popcorn. As much as we hate to tell our customers “NO,” we find we have to any time this question comes up for one simple reason: Contrary to popular belief, there’s no such thing as hull-less popcorn.

All popcorn requires its husk to pop. The hull is a result of what’s left over after the steam causes the water chamber inside of the kernel to explode. Think of it as staging breaking away from a rocket when it launches. It’s pretty much the same thing.

Any time you see a popcorn described as “hull-less,” just remember that it’s more marketing than science behind the claim. Like we said, it’s just one hull-uva popcorn tale you should be aware of.

Nobody likes getting those pesky little hulls stuck in their teeth, so here are a few recommendations to minimize an otherwise enjoyable experience when inhaling your next bowl of home-popped popcorn:

1.  If you’re popping in oil, remember that the kind you use matters. Some oils such as vegetable or canola tend to produce a much harder husk than coconut or avacado would. Consider switching to one of these two instead for a softer husk.
2. There are kernel varieties that will give you a less noticeable hull once it’s popped, but keep in mind that the kernels may have been genetically modified to achieve this result.
3. If you’re looking for a more natural alternative, we recommend you try white kernels because they tend to produce less hulls.
4. Make sure your oil is at least 375 degrees Fahrenheit before you put your kernels in. If you’re air popping, wait until you reach 400 degrees. We’ve found that achieving the right temperature before your pops will keep fewer hulls from separating from the kernels during the popping process.

Following these tips have worked well for us and we hope they do for you too. If you’re exhausted from reading about how to fix the issue, we recommend skipping all the fuss and let us do the work for you. We’re always happy to help!.

Happy Snacking!