Corny Competition

Headnote

Simple salt just won't cut it in the competition for consumers' popcorn-craving palettes. Unique ingredients and flavor profiles are helping popcorn manufacturers go for their personal best in the great snacking games.

Low in calories, high in fiber-popcorn may just be the perfect natural snack. Of course, that doesn't stop manufacturers from trying to up the ante by enhancing all the whole grain has to offer. Now, popcorn can be found competing with chips, pretzels and even candy in the snacking Olympics.

Many companies are finding that the way to enhance their popcorn products is to mix the kernels with other unique-and sometimes unusual-ingredients. Compet- ing in the chocolate-added category Too Haute Cowgirls, Carbondale, Colo., creates a creative popcorn confection called Have Bacon Will Travel.

"It starts with a maple syrup twist on our classic caramel corn recipe and includes large premium pecans, real hickory smoked bacon and a drizzle of milk chocolate," says Amy Tarrant, co-owner. "We're having fun with bold flavors and unique combinations like bacon and chocolate and chili to appeal to adventurous palettes."

Tarrant boasts that the Have Bacon Will Travel selection is the company's sprint race gold medalist, as its retail partners say the combination is flying offthe shelves quickly after its recent launch.

Bacon isn't the only distinctive ingredient found in Too Haute Cowgirls' corny confections. Orange-spiced granola can be found in its End of the Trail Mix, while espresso beans make an appearance in its Cowgirl Coffee creation.

"Our products are fun, delicious and meant to be an indulgence," says Tarrant. "Sometimes we're a candy bar and sometimes we're a sweet and salty snack."

Other popcorn-centric creations include Fistful of Fleur de Sel, made with toffee, sea salt, caramel corn and dark chocolate. Tarrant states this confection is a marathon gold medalist as it has been Too Haute Cowgirls' biggest seller for almost three years. Fistful of Fleur de Sel joins The Good, The Bad and The Peanut Butter, Mutton Bustin' Milk Chocolate, Blisters on my Buttercrunch, Chili Con Chocolate and Bareback Buttercrunch in the company's line of popcorn confections. Too Haute Cowgirls also offers a seasonal creation called Doc's Holliday Mint.

"[It's] our signature caramel corn, enrobed in white chocolate and dusted with candy cane...