How do you make perfect popcorn?

[stirling]

Mine always seem to turn out stale tasting. They're not crispy at all. I've tried leaving the lid slightly ajar so that steam can escape. Helped a bit not much. I've tried every brand of popcorn kernals.

I heat my pan, it's heavy based, with a bit of oil, then popcorn in and jiggle pan a bit to coat. Lid on and it pops fairly quickly. Lots of gorgeous looking white fluffy popcorn, that tastes stale and slightly chewy :(

What am I doing wrong?
Thanks

Using clarified butter rather than oil works well for crispiness.

OK, thanks will give it a go!

Good luck! Needs to be clarified though, not just straight from the packet or it willpower soggy.

Home bargains microwave butter popcorn

Once the corn is popped and pan still vvv hot, sprinkle on caster sugar and it will semi melt to make a sweet popcorn.
You have to be quick though.

I pop the corn in the microwave. Put 6rbsp popcorn, tsp water in a bowl and cover with a plate or make airtight. I stick on for 8 minutes, it starts to pop around 6 I think. Once the popping showed down I remove some and retry. Be careful of steam etc. Then I used this recipe allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/8013/toffee-popcorn.aspx 🤤

What works for me is:

• Use plenty of oil, you need the whole bottom of the pan covered in a thin layer
• Get the oil really hot - you want to see it smoking and rippling on the surface before the corn goes in
• Give it a good shake once the corn is in, hopefully it'll start popping almost immediately
• Lid slightly askew to let steam out, and give the pan a quick shake now and again to get the unpopped bits to the bottom
• Turn the heat down halfway once the popping slows, so that you don't burn the bits at the bottom

I had a phase of unsatisfying popcorn too, and found increasing the oil and being patient with it heating up made the most difference

Definitely high heat to start, then turn down.
Don't over crowd the pan.
When still hot smother in proper butter and toss with smoked paprika.

Thanks everyone! Really great tips. Can't wait to try..

Soak the dried kernels in warmish water for half an hour before making popcorn. They pop better, are fluffier and there'll be fewer duff kernels.