Our desire to sell the best quality and best tasting popcorn has been important to us ever since we started dreaming about Popnotch Goods. For our first couple years of operating, that quality has been focused on flavor, consistency, processes, and storage. In our 2nd year open, the thought to build quality down to the kernel sparked.
Farming has been a part of Paige’s family for generations, but Popnotch Goods is the first generation to farm popcorn. When the idea to grow our own Popnotch Popcorn Kernels came up with the farmers in the family, it only seemed natural to try it out and see what happens! As it turns out, growing popcorn and growing normal field corn are quite similar in processes. It requires the same planting, watering, and harvesting techniques. In the spring of 2023, we decided to try it out by planting 5 acres of popcorn in Illinois (where the family farms are located)...and we failed. The similarities in planting popcorn to field corn are almost all the same, as we learned from our mistakes. In the spring of 2024, we felt confident it was our year. We planted another 5 acres, irrigated, and did things correctly this time. Come fall, and despite the wet growing season we had, the popcorn had grown and was ready to harvest!
Harvest time is where things are really different from field corn. Popcorn cobs have to be much more mature to harvest as popcorn kernels must have a specific moisture content for optimal popping. Also, when harvesting popcorn you have to be very gentle in de-kerneling the cob. Any kernels that have a crack or are broken will not pop. Once we harvested and allowed the kernels to reach the ideal moisture content, we put the kernels through a seed cleaner to sort out all of the non-kernel pieces that may have been picked up during harvest. Then we bagged them up and brought them to Michigan for popping and sharing with you.
The end result? The popcorn you are eating right now is homegrown in Illinois, non-GMO, and ready to pop in your home! We hope you enjoy our quality popcorn, from field to flavor.
Being able to grow our own popcorn is very unique but also very important to us. We are doing our very best to operate our business with mindful ingredients and understand where our food is coming from. Being able to control the growing and flavoring process separates us from others and truly makes Popnotch top-notch.
If you are interested at all in more information about farming practices, wholesale opportunities for popcorn kernels, or general information on what Popnotch Goods is up to, please reach out to patrick@popnotchgoods.com.