During a recent trip to one of my grocery stores , I saw microwave popcorn for the first time in our city! Although I prefer to buy bulk popcorn and pop it myself, I was pretty excited. Popcorn is finally entering the realm of “normal” foods if it can be bought in the grocery store! (This is how popcorn is usually perceived; people still find it unbelievable that I pop it myself.)
To buy bulk popcorn, I go to a wholesale market where huge sacks of beans, peanuts, sesame seeds, corn, and other dry foods are sitting outdoors. I have to hunt until I find a vendor who has popcorn. It’s not a common food, and obviously it’s considered a seasonal (fall/winter) food. My usual vendor told me that she won’t have any until September! No popcorn until September? What will we do?
I decided to keep looking. Surely someone else at this huge market has popcorn! Sprite and I walked and walked, asking all the way. “None” was the frequent answer. Then, following the directions of one vendor, we FOUND it! (Of course, wouldn’t you know it. This vendor was two shops away from my usual one. We walked all over the market just to come back basically where we started! But I was just relieved to have found it. I was worried about three months without popcorn!)
It cost me 3 RMB per jin or about 50 cents per pound. I bought four pounds.
When the purchase was complete, the salesman tidied the popcorn on top and rolled the bag down so that it appeared full again.
Of course, we had popcorn for an afternoon snack yesterday. One of Sprite’s friends was at our home to play. She requested sweet rather than salty, so I sprinkled a tablespoon of sugar over the warm popcorn. Yum.
More Posts Like This One:
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m wondering if you show your Chinese friends how to make popcorn at home? I think it would be great to teach them if you haven’t already.
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Saved 56% on Groceries =-.
Good idea! I’ve taught a couple of ladies how to bake bread. But popcorn doesn’t seem to interest them as much. I’ll keep it in mind, though.
One of our favorite snacks is popcorn! We always prefer to make it on the stove, but I keep a box of microwave for those need it faster times.
Blessings,
Melissa
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Catch-up =-.
should try some larger supermarkets like Walmart. they should have the goodies you want. The Chinese are not very into American style popcorn. They like cooked corn probably better, which you can see on the street sold by vendors, or in KFC.
@ Apple — Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, there is no Walmart in my city.
I’ve seen microwave popcorn in some supermarkets in various cities, but no bulk popcorn (to pop in a pan). I’ve never seen bulk popcorn at all in China aside from at these wholesale markets. But China is certainly a huge place, and I’m sure it’s here somewhere, just not where I am or where I’ve been. I like to pop it myself; it’s tastier and healthier too.
haha ,it is interesting,but i have to say, Chinese people usually think popcorn should not be eaten like western way(microwave popcorn, and sweet), because it will make our bodies fatter. So the popular way for chinese is to make porridge.
@Tang –Actually, Western people generally like salty popcorn, not sweet.