PRODUCT: GH Cretors, A Better Popcorn Treat

March 1, 2012 at 8:15 am · Filed under Gluten-Free, Kosher Nibbles, Snacks, Vegan

Three of the five flavors of GH Cretors
elegant popcorn. Photo courtesy
GH Cretors.

Flash back to Super Bowl Sunday: We consumed five bags of GH Cretors popcorn, one of each flavor. The empty bags were flattened and brought to the office, where they were added to the “to be written up” box.

Alas, due to an avalanche of other flattened bags and boxes that week, we’ve just uncovered the Cretors bags, but the happy memory lingers. As does our desire to order more.

GH Cretors helped to launch popcorn as a favorite snack of the modern age. In 1885,* Charles Cretors invented the steam-powered popcorn machine (see the photo below).

Previously, popcorn was popped in kitchens, over stove flames in large copper kettles. Cretors developed a raised steam popper that popped the kernels at the top of a large glass bin and spilled the fresh popcorn into the bin, where it could be scooped into bags (the system is still used in today’s movie theaters and elsewhere).

*It was an eventful year: Among other noteworthy happenings, the modern gasoline-fueled internal combustion automobile engine was invented, the the Statue of Liberty was delivered to New York Harbor and the Washington Monument was dedicated.

From Fresh-Popped To Store-Bought

Cretors brought the aroma and visuals of popping corn right in front of the consumer, which helped to catapult popcorn into one of the best-selling snacks of all time.

The GH Cretors brand of packaged popcorn is a relatively new one, launched by the fourth and fifth generations of Cretors descendants. While the family had continued to make popcorn at home through the generations, we’re glad that they’ve put their product on the shelf.

We’re big popcorn fans. Popcorn is a whole-grain snack; for this reason, it’s a better snack option, whether you crave sweet or salty (or a combination of the two). Whole grains are important in your diet (details).

The popcorn is crisp and deftly seasoned with just the right touch of caramel or cheese. And there are added benefits with GH Cretors Popcorn:

It’s sweetened with brown rice syrup instead of corn syrup. Besides the fact that the brown rice syrup has a delightful sweetness, it has a low glycemic value.† Say goodbye to popcorn with refined sugars: This is the better way. Enjoy the sweetness without the guilt.

The ingredients are non-GMO. GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are created through genetic engineering, a relatively new science that splices together the genes of plants, animals, bacteria and viruses that would not otherwise exist in nature. In many countries around the world, there are significant restrictions and even bans on the production of GMOs, because they are not considered to be proven safe. Our FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved commercial production of GMO, which are used in many of the products we consumer every day. Even products labeled “all natural” can contain GMOs—which are definitely not natural.

The popcorn is all natural. While this term is not regulated by the FDA, the “all natural ingredients” commonly refer to the lack of artificial colors, artificial flavors and chemical preservatives.

It’s gluten-free, kosher and vegan.While popcorn is naturally a gluten-free snack, GH Cretors is also certified kosher (by KOF-K). The kettle corn flavor is vegan.

†This means that it doesn’t cause a sudden spike in blood pressure or a sugar “high” after it is consumed. Its composition is 50% soluble carbohydrates, 45% maltose and 3% glucose. The glucose is immediately absorbed and metabolized, maltose takes from an hour to an hour and a half, and soluble carbohydrates take 2-3 hours to be metabolized and energy released. This results in constant supply of energy spread over a long time rather than a sudden rush.

Cretors Today

Charles Cretors’ modern popcorn machine appeared at the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893 and moved to entertainment venues, stadiums and boardwalks everywhere. Five generations of Cretors have been following in his corn-popping footsteps, taste-testing recipes around the kitchen table.

Recently, great-great-great-granddaughter Claire and her mom Phyllis launched a retail brand called GH Cretors in favorite flavors: caramel, caramel nut, cheddar, kettle corn and the charming Chicago Mix, a combination of caramel corn and cheddar corn that really works.

The company pops their corn the old fashioned way, by hand in copper kettles.

Where To Find GH Cretors Popcorn

GH Cretors is available at fine markets nationwide (here’s a store locator) and online in 12-bag packs at Amazon.com. (Too much for you? Split an order with friends.)

An early popcorn cart. With the spread of the automobile, popcorn rolled. Photo courtesy Deusterco.com.