Review: Southwest Specialty Foods’ “Ass Kickin’ Popcorn”
Having just dinged Southwest Specialty Foods, Inc.’s “Whoop Ass Chili Mix” for being neither “chili” nor “whoop ass” hot, I feel like I now owe it to them to tell you about one of their products I really DO love, which is their “Original Ass Kickin’ Habanero Popcorn“. And at a retail price of $1.95 (plus shipping) for a bag, it’s not terribly expensive, either.
As you might be able to tell from the picture, this is a microwave popcorn like any you might buy at the grocery. Unlike the ones you’d buy at the grocery, however, this one includes a moderate portion of habanero pepper to spice it up.
In terms of the popcorn itself, it pops pretty completely, with not too many unpopped kernels left over in the bag when you’re done. The pieces are good-sized as well, with a very satisfying crunch to them. The spice doesn’t change the flavor much at all, but does bump up the (spicy) “heat” level.
Don’t let the “Ass Kickin’” name fool you, however. While this popcorn is considerably spicier than their chili mix or their spicy peanuts, it’s not going to send you to the hospital unless you think Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich is insanely hot. I’d give that sandwich about a 3.7 out of 10 for spice level, and this popcorn gets about a 6. It’s spicy enough that you’ll feel it on your tongue and throat a little after you stop eating it, but it probably isn’t going to send you running for a pitcher of water.
For what I would personally want a “spicy popcorn” to be, this stuff gets a 9 out of 10. It has a pleasant but not overwhelming spice level with good quality popcorn underneath.
One word of advice, though, after you finish popping the stuff and are about to open the bag, do NOT breathe in the steam. It is a very potent steam that comes off this popcorn and it WILL make you cough (unless maybe you’re a Marine or Navy Seal who’s been though chemical weapons training)!