Taste-Off: The best (and worst) caramel popcorn on the market

Cracker Jack is not the only game in town. We taste tested the best caramel corn brands on the market and found some amazing ones ... and some terrible versions.

Caramel and crunch plus a dash of childhood nostalgia makes caramel corn a fun, festive treat any time of year. Whether it’s out of a bowl, a bag or a small box with a prize inside, it’s a sweet-salty indulgence.

Caramel corn — essentially popped kernels of corn coated in candy — has deep roots in the snack world. It was reportedly invented by a pair of Germans in the 1870s. Two decades later — in 1896 — they added peanuts to the mix and introduced it to the world as Cracker Jack.

Through the years, the snack has taken on many iterations, including the addition of ingredients such as almonds or cashews, white or dark chocolate, pumpkin spices, even cheese. For this taste test, we focused on basic caramel corn, with or without nuts.

Two kernels into the tasting, we realized that flavor differences between brands are huge and range from buttery to molasses-forward. The best caramel corn is a masterful nugget of salty, sweet, crunchy deliciousness. It delivers an impressive hit of rich, homemade caramel flavor with just enough salt to tame the sugar. Bad caramel corn is too sweet, too salty or entirely lacking in caramel flavor. The worst is little more than sugar poured on stale popcorn.

Here’s the scoop on the caramel-coated nibbles to enjoy, and the sugary, ho-hum bites that aren’t worth the calories or the money. Nutrition info refers to 1 ounce, roughly ½ a cup.

Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn

While this doesn’t hit the deep notes of kettle-cooked caramel, the kernels are covered in light caramel that tastes exactly like a Werther’s caramel. (Surprise!) It’s crunchy, sweet and entirely tasty. 140 calories, 4.5 g fat, 150 mg sodium, 14 g sugar, 1 g protein. $2.98 for 5.29 ounces at Walmart. (4 stars)

Harry & David Moose Munch Premium Classic Caramel

Fans of homemade caramel will love these large, crunchy nibbles tossed with toasty, fresh cashews and almonds. The caramel is extra buttery and has a touch of honey. 140 calories, 6 g fat, 125 mg sodium, 12 g sugar, 1 g protein. $5.99 for 10 ounces at Grocery Outlet. (4 stars)

G.H. Cretors Handcrafted Small-Batch Caramel Corn

These extra-crispy kernels coated in buttery caramel are a bit too sweet, but the texture of the thin, shattery coating is sublime — and addictive. 120 calories, 3.5 g fat, 150 mg sodium, 18 g sugar, 1 g protein. $5.49 at Safeway for 8 ounces. (3½ stars)

Popcornopolis Caramel Popcorn

This caramel corn in a cone-shaped bag is uber-sweet, perfectly crunchy and the right choice for those who like deep, molasses-flavored caramel. 140 calories, 6 g fat, 105 mg sodium, 15 g sugar, 1 g protein. $5.99 for 7 ounces at CVS. (3½ stars)

The Original Cracker Jack

A spot of molasses in the caramel and lots of peanuts earn this iconic brand a respectable spot in the lineup. The popcorn is slightly stale, and the caramel coating is meager, but it’s nonetheless a pleasant snack. 120 calories, 2 g fat, 70 mg sodium, 14 g sugar, 2 g protein. $1.67 for 3 1-ounce boxes at Raley’s. (2½ stars)

Poppycock Original Gourmet Popcorn

This flashy bag of popcorn, almonds and pecans ticks the boxes on buttery, sweet and crunchy, but it’’s missing even a hint of caramel flavor. 160 calories, 8 g fat, 100 mg sodium, 16 g sugar, 2 g protein. $5.49 for 7 ounces at Raley’s. (2 stars)

Crunch ’n Munch Caramel Popcorn with Peanuts

If sweet, crunchy, peanut-packed popcorn is what you’re after, this box works. It packs a huge hit of peanut flavor and lots of crunch, but it’s decidedly oily, sugary and caramel-free. 160 calories, 7 g fat, 100 mg sodium, 13 g sugar, 2 g protein. $2.44 for 6 ounces at Walmart. (1½ stars)

Cosmos Creations Salted Caramel Corn

Those who like puffed Cheetos and sticky-sweet snacks may enjoy these extruded bites made with corn. But beware: They are wildly sweet and have such a wallop of butter flavor that they taste oily. 130 calories, 6 g fat, 250 mg sodium, 13 g sugar, no protein. $5.99 for 25 ounces at Grocery Outlet. (1 star)

Gold Emblem Cashew Caramel Crunch

This dry, stale corn tastes like old oil. It’s loaded with sugar but entirely lacking in caramel flavor. 160 calories, 6 g fat, 210 mg sodium, 18 g sugar, 1 g protein. $4.19 for 7 ounces at CVS. (½ a star)

Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.