What Is It?
Gourmet popcorn company, Prospector Popcorn, is on a mission. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, Prospector is dedicated to competitive and integrated employment for people with disabilities through the operation of a first-run movie theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut. I fully support any business who provides opportunities for the differently abled but, more importantly, their popcorn is delicious.
I was sent samples of Buffalo Cheddar, Sweet and Spicy, and Belgian Chocolate Toffee.
How Does It Taste?
I started with the Buffalo Cheddar, the savoriest of the three, intending to work my way to the sweetest. The cheddar flavor hit the front of my palate before a pop of sweetness from the added caramel. To “buffalo” this flavor, the Prospector team adds cayenne, which I find hits the back of the palate, leading to a distinct chili prickliness after swallowing. Not bad but not a full Buffalo experience, either.
Sweet and Spicy is a classic caramel corn, amped up with Mule Sauce by Sticker Mule. Infused with heat from habanero, Scotch Bonnet and Ghost Pepper chiles. I found the chile heat to be fuller and rounder on the palate than in the Buffalo Cheddar, a warm chile heat slicked with caramel. Consider yourself warned – it is impossible to stop eating.
Belgian Chocolate Toffee is pure decadence. Nuggets of smooth chocolate and toffee envelop buttery popcorn, each bite a creamy, salty, sweet treat. While I found that two or three bites were enough to satisfy, my sons had no problem finishing off a bag. And, though it is not listed in the product description, there are pretzels mixed in with the bag so this flavor is not gluten-free. (If you look closely at the image on the product page, you can see what appears to be pretzels.)
In Sum
A decadent popcorn treat that elevates a humble treat to a whole new level. And it supports a disenfranchised community. Recommend.
