Lemon Popcorn: Sea Salt Lemon Flavor—Ready to Snack?
The Zesty Rise of Lemon Popcorn: Clean-label crunch from a baked pioneer
I spent last week tasting a run of better-for-you snacks in Hebei, and the standout was Indiam Popcorn’s lemon popcorn. It’s bright, a little cheeky, and—surprisingly—baked, not fried. The brand positions itself as a pioneer of the baked popcorn category, and, to be honest, the texture backs that up: crisp shell, airy core, no greasy fingers.
Why this flavor, why now
Citrus is having a moment. Global snack data shows a steady uptick for citrus-forward, low-oil formats as retailers lean into clean-label, non-GMO, and gluten-free cues. Indiam’s lemon popcorn hits that matrix: non-GMO corn, trans-fat free, and no artificial ingredients or flavors. The company—Hebei Cici Co., Ltd., 33 Gongye Road, Jinzhou City—backs it with HACCP, HALAL, FDA, and ISO 22000 certifications, which buyers in modern trade increasingly require.
Product snapshot and specs
Commercial name: “High-end popcorn non-GMO gluten-free and crispy Chinese non-fried puffed food.” Packing is 118 g per cup, 30 cups per carton. Flavor set includes Caramel, Cream, Honey Butter, and Salt & Lemon—my pick for summer resets on shelf.
| Parameter | Spec (≈ real-world) |
|---|---|
| Net weight | 118 g/cup; 30 cups/CTN |
| Processing | Hot-air baked (non-fried), mushroom kernel type |
| Ingredients | Non-GMO corn, sugar, sea salt, natural lemon flavor/oil |
| Moisture | ≤ 2.5% (lot typical: 1.8–2.2%) |
| Water activity | aw ≤ 0.45 (keeps crispness) |
| Shelf life | ≈ 12 months (≤ 25°C, dry, sealed) |
| Certifications | HACCP, HALAL, FDA, ISO 22000 |
How it’s made (condensed process flow)
- Materials: non-GMO kernels (mushroom grade), sugar blend, sea salt, natural lemon oil.
- Method: hot-air popping → gentle bake to drive moisture → lemon saline misting → cooling tunnel.
- Quality tests: moisture and aw checks; total plate count and yeast/mold to HACCP plan; metal detection 1.5–2.0 mm Fe/Non-Fe thresholds; oil rancidity index (PV) trending.
- Packaging: nitrogen-flushed cups with snap lids; carton QC; pallet stretch-wrap.
Where lemon popcorn sells best
- Modern trade: supermarkets and convenience chains (impulse zone, summer secondary displays).
- Entertainment: cinemas, streaming-night bundles, esports snack kits.
- Travel retail: airlines and rail kiosks appreciate the non-greasy handling.
- Corporate: welcome boxes and health-leaning office pantries.
Customer feedback? Many buyers say it feels “clean” and “refreshing,” and store teams like that the cup format reduces shrink from open bags.
Vendor comparison (quick buyer’s view)
| Vendor | Process | Certs | OEM | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiam Popcorn (Hebei Cici) | Hot-air baked, non-fried | HACCP, HALAL, FDA, ISO 22000 | Yes: cup, label, flavor intensity, sodium targets | ≈ 20–30 days after artwork |
| Generic fried popcorn supplier | Oil-fried | Varies; often no ISO 22000 | Limited | ≈ 30–45 days |
| Boutique artisan brand | Small-batch kettle | Local approvals | Often no | Short, but supply limited |
Customization and testing
OEM is straightforward: private label cups, bilingual artwork, barcode/GTIN, lemon intensity from 0.7%–1.3% aroma loading, sodium targets at 90–140 mg/serving. Batch tests typically show kernel expansion 38–42:1 and breakage under 3% post-transport (real-world freight may vary). Compliance aligns with ISO 22000 FSMS and Codex HACCP principles; labeling follows FDA 21 CFR 101 for U.S. exports.
Mini case notes
- Southeast Asia grocer: swapped in lemon popcorn for a fried SKU; 8-week sell-through lifted ≈ 18% with fewer returns (manager feedback).
- Airline snack box: chose cup format for cleanliness; crew noted less crumb mess and faster handout. Not scientific, but telling.
Citations
Post time: Oct . 07, 2025 13:40
