When it comes to the White kernel vs Yellow kernels debate, it is so hard to pick a side.
I’m in love with popcorn. Why? The question should be, why not? It’s delicious, inexpensive, and easy to make. Plus, there are so many textures and flavours to choose from.
Popcorn without butter or salt or anything else is a whole grain meal. Now, I just need to figure out how to put in butter without the calories and I can have the perfect snack!
One day, I was eating a bowl of popcorn, and something hit me. What is the difference between the white kernel and yellow kernel? More particularly, which one tastes better? I decided to carry out a white kernel vs. yellow kernel challenge. In this post, I am going to share what I found out.
At first, I thought the difference was just the colour. It turns out it is more than that. Guess what? I am also going to tell you which one tastes better. Stay with me as we count the scores.
White Kernels vs. Yellow Kernels
There are many kinds of popcorn, but I will stick with these two for now.
The first difference between the white kernels and yellow kernels is the colour! Pretty obvious, right? Well, I am talking about when the kernels have been popped. Both white and yellow kernels produce “white” popcorn. But white kernels produce a brighter white colour than yellow kernels. That’s a win for white kernels, but that’s not all.
The second difference between the two is size! When making popcorn, you will notice that yellow kernels pop into larger-sized popcorn than white kernels. This is not entirely a surprise because the yellow kernels themselves are larger than white kernels.
So, I guess the white kernel vs. yellow kernel has come to a draw. Let’s continue.
What difference do hulls make in white and yellow kernels?
The problem with hulls is that they always find their way into your teeth.
Many people do not enjoy having hulls in their mouth when they are crunching popcorn. And really, I get it. The hulls may get stuck in your teeth, and sometimes they don’t come out quickly. If you don’t like that, go with white kernels. The hulls are smaller. Problem solved!
What about the “hull-less” variety? Well, all kernels have hulls. The “hull-less” label simply means that when you pop the kernels, the hulls explode enough that you don’t notice when eating the popcorn.
White kernels win this round!
Mushroom Flakes and Snowflakes
Is there more to the White kernel vs. yellow kernel debate? Yes! Let’s talk about flakes.
White kernels pop into small delicate flakes that are crumbly and bright white. If you are looking for mushroom-shaped popcorn flakes, go with kernels with thicker hulls and more moisture. The extra moisture creates steam for thick hulls to explode further. The popped popcorn the thick hulls produce is sturdier and perfect for chocolate-covered or caramel-coated popcorn.
Snowflake-shaped popcorn (also called butterfly-shaped) is larger and softer than mushroom-shaped popcorn. Snowflake-shaped popcorn is the type you find in theatres and grocery stores. You can identify them by their irregular shape.
Both white and yellow kernels can produce mushroom-shaped popcorn flakes and snowflake-shaped popcorn. That said, your best bet for popping snowflake-shaped popcorn is by using yellow kernels. The hulls are bigger.
For the hard-to-find mushroom-shaped popcorn flakes, stick with the white kernels. The result will be a small tender popcorn flake. To avoid the risk of getting snowflake-shaped popcorn, ask for kernels with mushroom-shaped flakes from a popcorn shop. You can also order online.
White vs. Yellow Kernels: Which Tastes Better?
Now, let us consider the biggest question of the debate: which one tastes better?
To all white kernel lovers out there, I love you guys, but I have to give it up to yellow kernels. Wait, hear me out.
The thing is, yellow popcorn simply has more flavour than white popcorn. It’s that simple. Anytime you eat yellow popcorn, you can taste that corny flavour. And that is what makes it the better popcorn when it comes to taste.
So, tell me, who wins the white kernel vs. yellow kernel challenge? Did you say yellow kernels?
The Bottom Line
We have come to the end of the white kernel vs. yellow kernel challenge. Before I go, here are a few things to consider.
Yellow popcorn tastes better (I just had to say that again). If the hull is an issue for you, go with white popcorn. The hulls are smaller, so you don’t have to deal with crumbs in your teeth.
That said, it would be a shame to restrict yourself to only yellow or white kernels. There are a lot of textures, sizes, flavours, and colours to choose from out there. Go and explore the fantastic world of popcorn.
Keep popping!