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Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

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Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#381
post #360

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Grinder means finer salt. I've never seen on-the-spot ground salt smaller than the stuff you can buy already grounded. Except if you buy flakes, but then why do so if you want finer salt?

It's just culinary cargo cult. You grind pepper and other such things because the flavor survives well in the peppercorn but degrades relatively rapidly in air, so waiting until the last minute to grind it results in better flavor. Oxidized pepper is easy to notice the difference in flavor profile and much lower complexity. Especially the pepper shakers that have been sitting at the restaurant table probably yea veri…

> It's just culinary cargo cult.

I think you’re misunderstanding the use. It’s a different goal from grinding spices. It’s functional. And I’ve never seen powdered salt selling anywhere in Canada. (Except for expensive artisan stuff). So, the best way to achieve it is with a grinder+rock salt. I’ve been using a simple Amazon grinder and it’s easy to use.

Powdered salt tastes different not because of a differing chemical composition, but because of its different physical nature + your tongue.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#382

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Grinder means finer salt. Finer salt sticks to things better (you can get a baby powder consistency). And the way the salt "tastes" is different because the powder dissolves on your tongue differently/quicker. Salt "dust" is a really interesting way of adding salt to food -- and you actually end up adding less than larger grains

> Grinder means finer salt. I've never seen on-the-spot ground salt smaller than the stuff you can buy already grounded. Except if you buy flakes, but then why do so if you want finer salt?

I’ve never seen salt powder or “dust” for sale. Grinder has been the only useful way.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#383

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love movie theater popcorn so I often try to get that exact experience at home. The biggest leap in quality for me is using a tall pot and a colander on top, it achieves the same goal as your paper towel between the lid-- getting that excess moisture out of the pot really makes all the difference!

The secret to movie popcorn flavor is coconut oil and the flavored salt.

I've had similar luck with peanut oil too!

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#384
post #275

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That’s not enough to justify the grinder. Buy a box of Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. It has the perfect texture for keeping in a salter on the counter so it’s easy to grab a pinch.

kosher salt is way too coarse for popcorn, so I don't think it eliminates the need for the grinder

You can control the coarseness by rubbing it between your fingers as you apply it. You may have seen video of chefs doing this.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#385
post #379
post #353

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With this method, the popping is reasonably quick, and the temperature fairly consistent, so, despite the advice seemingly everywhere in the internet, high temp oil isn’t actually necessary. Be careful and you can use olive oil (though that tastes a bit weird) or even butter.

I use clarified butter since it has a higher melting point, and it even flavors the popcorn.

Higher smoke point

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#386
post #112

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I’ve never found a salt grinder able to sustain the salt corrosion in the long run. Sooner or later, salt is aggregating and turning even the more resistant parts into rust. I was recently planning to get back to a regular pestle/mortar setup after yet another costly failure. Did you manage to find a way to work this around?

I've had a fully plastic one for about 5 years

Delivering microplastics right into the food since 19xx.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#387

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What? They sell salt with added sugar in the US!?!?

It must be a special kind because Morton's the most popular brand of table in the USA has salt and calcium silicate, no sugar at all, 0.

Here's Morton's with dextrose. https://nourishingattempts.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/why-is-t...

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#388

Best popcorn you can make is cheap and easy cleanup. Take one large pot (the kind that holds like 10qts). Cover the bottom with kernels. Add a bit of oil, basically just enough to swirl and have everything covered in an oil sheen, not enough to have them submerged. Cover, put on high (I use gas). I like to suspend a paper towel between the lid and the rest of the pot, absorbs excess oil and water. Once popping slows,…

> Cover, put on high (I use gas). I like to suspend a paper towel between the lid and the rest of the pot, absorbs excess oil and water.

This is what I've been missing...

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#389

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve never found a salt grinder able to sustain the salt corrosion in the long run. Sooner or later, salt is aggregating and turning even the more resistant parts into rust. I was recently planning to get back to a regular pestle/mortar setup after yet another costly failure. Did you manage to find a way to work this around?

What timescale are you talking about? I have a William Sonoma salt grinder, as well as one that my friend made for me. They're both about 5 years old. As far as I know there's no significant deterioration on either one. The grinding surfaces are ceramic.

Had usually some issues with (metallic) screws or other minor pieces after 1-2 years. Will take a look at ceramic grinders in the future.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#390

Earlier quoted context omitted.

wait, how can you differentiate the unpopped from the yet to pop? (tbh. so far I'm just a premade popcorn buyer, so ELI5...)

Ignore the snark from the sibling comments. You have to study the grain. Most kernels have a left to right grain, and they will pop between 140-150C, because the cell structure of the skin is weak in several places. A relatively rare genetic mutation leads to around 1-2% of kernels having a right to left grain, and because of this orientation the skin is actually more robust in the typical popping spots, meaning that…

I dont know if this is true or if this is a brilliant and creative troll.
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