A former cinema worker claims you can recreate the distinct taste of movie popcorn at home – but only with the right ingredients.
And run-of-the-mill butter or salt won’t cut it.
Aussie woman Lauren, who is an ex-cinema worker, shared the gatekept secret in a TikTok video – explaining that all you need are two precise ingredients.
The first is a specific brand of microwave popcorn: PopBox Mega Butter Flavour Microwave Popcorn, a supermarket brand that comes with its own box.
‘The second – and most important – ingredient is Flavacol,’ Lauren explained.
This little-known popcorn seasoning is produced by various brands and can be bought on Amazon. In Lauren’s video, she shared a picture of the exact one she had used: Gold Medal Flavacol, which is priced at around $30 at different sites.
In addition to having the right ingredients is knowing precisely how to combine them, which Lauren demonstrated in the video shared to her @laurenrigoni account.
Opening the microwave popcorn box pack, she advised removing the small square container that’s filled with unpopped corn kernels.
Ex-cinema worker Lauren shared how to replicate movie popcorn in a viral video
Lauren explained that DIY movie popcorn requires two ingredients: Flavacol seasoning, which can be found on Amazon, and PopBox Mega Butter Microwave Popcorn, which is sold at Coles and Woolies
Lauren explained: ‘The reason we use PopBox is it comes in this box with a little container, so you can open the container and add your [Flavacol] salt to it.’
‘Whereas other microwave popcorn brands usually come in bags. You can’t really open those bags and add anything before you cook it.’
Lauren then slightly peeled back the lid of the popcorn kernel container and placed it in the microwave for 20 seconds – just long enough for the butter to melt, but not enough that the kernels start popping.
Then, carefully removing the heated container from the microwave, Lauren next sprinkled about a tablespoon of Flavacol directly on top of the unpopped kernels and melted butter, mixing it all together so it’s evenly distributed.
Finally, she positioned the paper seal back over the container, placed the container back inside the original microwave popcorn box, and then put the entire thing into the microwave to cook for the recommended time.
The final seconds of the video show Lauren opening the now filled popcorn box to reveal the buttery and flavourful snack inside – ready to enjoy.
The video exploded on social media with over 600,000 views – many from popcorn lovers who had never previously heard of the secret seasoning ingredient.
One reply questioned whether Flavacol was the same seasoning the major Aussie cinema chains use, which Lauren confirmed was accurate.
Lauren’s video shared to her @laurenrigoni demonstrated precisely how to add the Flavacol seasoning to the PopBox container of unpopped kernels and melted butter
Many replies to the video were stunned to learn about the existence of Flavacol – with many people declaring that they were jumping on Amazon to buy it
Others asked if Flavacol had to be added before the kernels were popped, or if it could just be sprinkled on top at the end. Lauren helpfully replied to say that she had experimented, but decided it didn’t work as well because it wasn’t evenly distributed. Ultimately, the best result she found came from adding it before popping the kernels.
Accordingly, many replies declared that they were jumping straight onto Amazon to track it down.
‘You’ve fed an unhealthy addiction,’ joked one response.
‘I’m so purchasing that,’ confirmed another.
‘Omg I can already SMELL it in my nostrils,’ added another.
Several Aussies even complained that it now appeared to be unavailable on several local Amazon retailers.
‘Girl, I think you sold out Flavacol,’ laughed one reply.
Many commenters noted that you could also make a more budget-friendly DIY version of movie popcorn with Flavacol by simply ‘buying the kernels, adding them to a pot with coconut oil and the Flavacol, [putting the pot] lid on, and giving it a shake every minute’.
PopBox Microwave Popcorn, $4, is sold at major Aussie supermarkets. Even without Flavacol added, one person claimed it was ‘the closest to cinema popcorn’
However, a number of commenters raved that the PopBox, which retails at the major supermarkets for $4 for a 100g box, was worth the splurge.
‘PopBox is legit the only brand of microwave popcorn we buy now. It is the closest to cinema popcorn. The Mega Butter is our favourite.’
Another agreed: ‘I love the PopBoxes! I always stock up when they’re on special. I reckon it’s the best brand! And no burning bags – you just hold the box like in the movies.’
‘Popbox is so good by itself. Will try adding the Flavacol too though.’
When Lauren’s video erupted on TikTok, PopBox themselves even weighed in on the replies, commending her creation.
Daily Mail spoke to PopBox CEO Mark Adamson, who thought Lauren’s video was a ‘fun take’ on their product.
However, he did add a cautionary note for anyone who wanted to try Lauren’s adaptation of their product.
‘Mark said: ‘PopBox is a completely safe product when prepared as directed, and we’ve spent years perfecting the recipe to deliver that classic cinema-style flavour straight out of the box at home.’
‘If people do want to experiment, we recommend using caution with microwaves, keeping a close eye on the popcorn as it pops, and avoiding overcooking for the best flavour and results.’
