How To Remove Unpopped Kernels From Popcorn Without Digging Through The Bag

For as long as corn has been cultivated in the Western Hemisphere, humans have been popping it. Its nutty crispness has tempted us since ancient days, though it's now easier to make thanks to individually packaged microwaveable bags (which are notorious fire hazards). While it takes more than the threat of a few burned kernels to stop us from enjoying this classic movie theater snack, unpopped kernels are a different story. 

While it's not inherently unhealthy to swallow them, chomping down on an unpopped popcorn kernel can cause significant damage to your teeth, ruining movie night and your smile in one fell swoop. Though it's generally pretty easy to avoid eating unpopped kernels (most of them fall to the bottom of the bag), it's even easier to remove them from the bag entirely. Simply pull on the folded corners at the sealed end until the center of the bag opens up just a little bit, then turn the bag upside down and shake it vigorously until all the hard, yellow, unpopped kernels come pouring out. Since they're smaller than the fluffy popcorn, the kernels easily fall through the bag and out of the small opening.

This hack may not be necessary all the time, but can be a fun pre-movie activity to make microwave popcorn slightly safer for your little ones to eat. They can have a great time shaking the bags while learning a little more about food safety, plus it's a good way to help them get the wiggles out before they settle in with their snacks.

While the mini-opening method is perfect for microwaved popcorn, it obviously doesn't work if you prefer the old-school stovetop and foil method. Since there's no bag to ease open with stovetop popcorn, you just need to remember that unpopped kernels are denser and heavier than the light, perfectly popped ones. Use this information to your advantage to create the perfect bowl of dental-friendly popcorn.

If you're making a really big batch in preparation for super-crunchy caramel popcorn, for example, the bowl-and-scoop method may work best. For this, you need two fairly large containers and a pretty big measuring cup. Pour your prepared popcorn into one of the containers, and shake it lightly until you hear rattling at the bottom. Then, scoop popped kernels into the second container, pausing to shake the first container every so often. This way, you should be able to avoid scooping any unpopped kernels into the second container since they fall to the bottom of the first one.

Another method that works well with smaller batches of homemade popcorn involves setting a cooling rack or perforated grill rack over your serving bowl. Just pour the popcorn onto the rack and shuffle it with your fingers so the hard kernels clatter into the bowl. Next, put the popped kernels back in the pan or original bag, toss out the unpopped kernels, and transfer the good stuff to your bowl.