Popcorn! This “All American” snack is so popular, we consume 54 quarts per person annually, according to Popcorn.org! Most U.S. popcorn is grown in the Midwest (primarily Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri, with a few growers in Kansas as well). So, let’s celebrate with the best of Kansas City popcorn!
Custard’s Last Stand
Custard’s Last Stand is best known for its frozen custard concretes, but the proprietors have been making gourmet popcorn since 1989. They specialize in caramel, cinnamon and cheese. Visit locations at 308 SE 291 Hwy. in Lee’s Summit or 1950 NW 7 Hwy. in Blue Springs, or go to www.CustardsLastStand.com.
Laura Little’s Candies
Laura Little’s is famous for delicious candy made from scratch in copper kettles with wooden paddles, but it’s often forgotten that they make delicious popcorn as well! You can choose caramel, cheese, butter or cinnamon, all made at the store. Visit Laura Little’s Candies at 2100 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, 913.722.2226, or www.LauraLittleCandy.com.
Topsy’s Popcorn
For more than 50 years, Topsy’s has been serving delicious popcorn to Kansas Citians! The Plaza Christmas Popcorn Tin is a holiday tradition in many homes as families try to decide which is best: cheese, butter, caramel, pecan crisp, popcorn peanut, kettle corn or cinnamon! Topsy’s boasts 13 KC area locations. Visit www.TopsysPopcorn.com for more information.
Velvet Crème Popcorn
Since 1937, the family-owned Velvet Crème Popcorn Company of Shawnee Mission has been serving popcorn that is “smooth like velvet and rich as creme.” Velvet Crème pops popcorn the old fashioned way, in small batches by hand operated, gas fired poppers. Flavors include traditional buttered, caramel, cheese and cinnamon or the more unique sour cream and onion! You can visit Velvet Crème’s store at 4710 Belinder Rd., in Westwood, Kansas. Call 913.236.7742 for more information or visit www.VelvetCremePopcorn.com.
Road Trip: Tour a Popcorn Factory!
Schlaegel’s Homegrown Popcorn:
31030 V Rd., Whiting, KS. Gary and Marian Schlaegel started raising popcorn on their farm nearly 30 years ago, now devoting 10 acres of crop ground to yellow and white popcorn each year. Their popcorn business sells 30 flavors of popcorn! You can take a free tour of the popcorn company. Visitors learn how popcorn is grown, prepared and sold. Schlaegel’s is approximately 2 hours northwest of Kansas City. Call to schedule a tour (800.844.7494) or visit www.PopcornGifts.net!