It’s no secret that Cretors Chicago Mix popcorn is a fan favorite. The delicious combination of cheese and caramel corn is pretty irresistible. If you’re a vegan, then you likely already know that many popular snacks and foods are not vegan-friendly.
So, what exactly goes into G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn? Are they vegan-friendly? Let’s take a closer look.
No, G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn is not a vegan product. The ingredient list contains dairy products such as butter, milk, cheese, and cream.
In this article, we explore:
- The G.H. Cretors Brand
- What is Chicago Mix Popcorn?
- Ingredient Breakdown: Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn
- How to Make Vegan Chicago-Style Popcorn (Delicious Recipe)
- The Bottom Line
1. The G.H. Cretors Brand
G.H. Cretors is a brand that specializes in handcrafted, small-batch popped corn. The company has been in business for 130 years and takes pride in its commitment to quality. All of their products are free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Their popcorn is also non-GMO and gluten-free. You can find G.H. Cretors products in select retailers across the United States.
2. What is Chicago Mix Popcorn?
Chicago mix popcorn is a type of popcorn that is made with two different flavors of popcorn, usually cheddar and caramel. The two flavors are mixed together in a bag or container, and then the popcorn is popped and enjoyed. The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes Chicago mix popcorn a unique and popular treat.
The key to the perfect Chicago-style popcorn is getting the ratios right so that you get the perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite. The most popular ratio is 70% caramel to 30% cheese.
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3. Ingredient Breakdown: Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn
Caramel corn Ingredients:
Sugars (brown sugar, cane sugar, brown rice syrup), Popcorn, Salted butter, Sunflower oil and/or Safflower oil, Sea salt, Soy lecithin (stabilizer), and Baking soda.
Cheese corn Ingredients:
Popcorn, Sunflower oil and/or Safflower oil, Cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, bacterial culture, salt, enzymes), Skim milk, Salt, Cream, Sodium phosphate, Annatto, and Lactic acid.
Sugars: The sugars in the caramel corn provide sweetness and flavor.
Popcorn: The popcorn provides a crunchy texture and is the key ingredient in this product.
Salted butter (not vegan): The salted butter adds richness and flavor to the caramel corn.
Sunflower oil and/or Safflower oil: The sunflower oil and/or safflower oil helps to cook the popcorn and gives it a light flavor.
Sea salt: Sea salt is used to season the caramel corn.
Soy lecithin (stabilizer): Soy lecithin is used as a stabilizer in caramel corn and helps to keep the ingredients blended together.
Cheddar cheese (not vegan): The cheddar cheese provides flavor and creaminess to the cheese corn.
Skim milk (not vegan): Skim milk is used in the cheese corn to thin out the mixture and give it a creamy texture.
Salt: The salt is used to season the cheese corn.
Cream (not vegan): The cream is used in the cheese corn to give it a rich flavor and creamy texture.
Sodium phosphate: Sodium phosphate is used as a preservative.
Annatto: The annatto is used in the cheese corn to provide a yellow color.
Lactic acid (possibly not vegan): Lactic acid is used to provide a sour flavor.
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4. How to Make Vegan Chicago Style Popcorn (Delicious Recipe)
One of the great things about making your own popcorn is that you can customize the flavor to suit your taste. If you’re a fan of Chicago mix popcorn, you’ll be happy to know that it’s easy to make at home – and you don’t need to use any animal products to get the same delicious taste.
The key is to prepare the caramel popcorn and the cheese popcorn separately first and then mix them together just before serving.
Vegan Caramel Popcorn
Ingredients:
1 cup of unpopped popcorn kernels
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is bubbling.
3. Add the popcorn kernels to the saucepan and stir to coat evenly with the sugar mixture.
4. Transfer the popcorn to the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
5. Remove the popcorn from the oven and immediately sprinkle it with the baking soda. The baking soda will cause the caramel to harden and create a crunchy coating on the popcorn. Allow the popcorn to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
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Vegan Cheese Popcorn
Ingredients:
1 cup popcorn kernels
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup vegan butter, melted
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Place the popcorn kernels in a large bowl.
3. Add the nutritional yeast flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, and mix well.
4. Pour in the melted vegan butter and mix until all of the kernels are evenly coated.
5. Spread the popcorn out on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until crisp.
Once both kinds of popcorn are prepared, simply mix them together in a large bowl and enjoy!
5. The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly version of G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn, you’ll be disappointed to learn that it is not a vegan product. The ingredient list contains dairy products such as butter, milk, cheese, and cream.
While G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popcorn is not a vegan product, it’s easy to make your own vegan version at home using the recipe above. With a little effort, you can enjoy the same delicious taste without any animal products. By preparing the caramel popcorn and cheese popcorn separately and then mixing them together just before serving, you’ll be able to create a tasty treat that everyone can enjoy – without any guilt!