Homemade Popcorn

My family loves popcorn.  For years I bought Orville's microwave bags.  I always tried to avoid the buttery ones and opted for the "natural" or "homestyle" instead.  I knew it would be cheaper and much healthier to make my own.  I don't want to end up with popcorn lung!  Ain't nobody got time for that!

I bought a popcorn popper at Target on clearance years ago and it has become one of my most used kitchen items.  I recently switched to using organic coconut oil instead of butter or canola oil and it has made a huge difference in the taste.  We're also reaping the benefits of healthy coconut oil.  

This isn't really a "recipe" but I had some people ask me how we make our homemade popcorn so here ya go.   

First, you'll need a good popcorn popper.  We use an old timey hand crank style (some call it a whirly pop).  Secondly, you need some coconut oil.  I use organic unrefined coconut oil for cooking purposes.  I also have some non-organic refined oil that I will use for skin care and occasionally for stir fry but the organic, unrefined gives the best flavor.  And of course you'll need popcorn kernels.  I have used name brand and generic popcorn and I do believe the name brand was slightly better but not so much of a difference that I am loyal to it.  

When I first started making popcorn this way I used three tablespoons of oil.  I have recently started only using one tablespoon and it is just as good.  I put in one large spoonful along with 1/2 cup of kernels.  If you have never used coconut oil it is solid at room temperature but melts quickly when heated up (or even held in your hand). 

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Pour in the popcorn and start turning the crank.  You'll need to keep on cranking it until the popping has stopped.  It takes about five minutes total to pop. 

1/2 cup of kernels will yield about 10 CUPS of popcorn!  I very rarely have left over unpopped kernels so we are not wasting any and we get way more for our money.  

I sprinkle it with some salt and serve it up!  It is so good and only about 36 calories per cup.  I eat about four cups at a time so that is a little less than 150 calories.  And it is oh, so good! 

Do you make your own popcorn or do you buy microwaveable bags?