According to findings by Rabobank, outlined in its Jan. 2015 report “The Popcorn Blockbuster,” popcorn is experiencing a renaissance. Once considered an unhealthy movie-time junk food, popcorn is now considered among consumers—especially choosy millennials—to be an appealing, healthy snack. Not only does it often align with their desire for natural, organic or gluten-free snacks, but popcorn manufacturers and brands are also proving their willingness to experiment with on-trend flavors, offering new and exciting varieties inspired by ethnic cuisines.
Rabobank notes that it’s the ready-to-eat (RTE) popcorn market that’s making the most noise. But microwave products are also starting to enter the better-for-you, all-natural popcorn fray.