I can’t trace back the origins of my fixation about popcorn. Probably, as it usually happens with all the obsessions, it started quietly, more in a why-shouldn’t-I-try-this-one manner. Mind you, nobody plans an obsession. And an obsession it is. Back in Poznań, the smell of freshly made popcorn was pervasive and ubiquitous regardless of the time of day (yet preferably evenings), day of the week, weather, mood, busyiness etc. It almost became my hallmark and one could ‘smell’ my presence the second he or she entered the hall on the sixth floor. I made our flat smell like a cinema hall. But that was with corn kernels, natural as God made them. Now, with Jolly Time microwave popcorn from Tesco, the only smell I can conjure up is that of an old pair of socks. Shit! (I started swearing in English… love it!). I am no longer a gourmet… have been demoted, to my despair. Still, it’s not all that alarming. I’ll worry when I start eating ready to eat Crunch’n’Munch sweet butter toffee flavoured popcorn with crunchy roasted peanuts, coated with a rich, caramel glaze. I’ve never known there exists popcorn with the name longer than the full name of the UK ;) The list of ingredients is probably even longer. So I already know what I’m going to miss about Poland (apart from weather obviously). Even Polish shops in the area cannot help me out. Allegro? ;) http://allegro.pl/kukurydza-popcorn-1-kg-4-50zl-i2301190867.html. Worth a shot. I still have some remains on my Polish bank account and have no idea how to use PLN, other than spending it on necessities like this one. BTW, this is why I dared to buy the most expensive coffee in my life while waiting in a departure lounge – 11 zlotys for a rubbish café latte with no syrup ;/
Going back to the hero of the note… Corn kernels are meant to pop in a frying pan and to be seasoned with a bit of salt. They aren’t supposed to be squeezed in packets, which are to be opened “away from face avoiding contact with steam that will be emitting from the bag when first opened”. Sure you should keep it away from face. With such an amount of chemistry it deserves to be named explosives. Pure desecration! However, I can accept one deviation. Shoddy as it may sound, chocolate with popcorn is ok (”ok” is enough… can’t find a better word for it). At first, it seems like popcorn has to do with chocolate as much as chalk has to do with cheese (don’t try this at home). Apparently, Philippe Suchard’s team know what they are doing. Milka Choco&Popcorn may make the fans anxious, yet it tastes just about right. But don’t you think I bought it myself. I got it, along with Toblerone and Martini, as a gift for being the best hostess in Wielkopolska* Bull’s eye. Ania! Will you marry me? ;) I'm lost in admiration for this woman. How did she find it, in the first place? The only other person who would make so much effort and who knows my eating and drinking fixation so much is... Chris :* (I feel like I didn't even have to write it). This makes the significance of the significance even more significant. Ok, need to POP to the kitchen. The POPcorn is ready :)
* she actually did not verbalise it, but I think this is exactly what she thought ;)
