Fall is the time of year when certain comfort foods make a comeback in a big way.
For me, it’s caramel. I want caramel in my coffee, in my desserts and all by itself. I just can’t get enough of that salty sweetness as soon as there is any kind of a chill in the air.
And that’s the thought I had when I walked into Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Company. I wanted caramel and I maybe wanted to dive head first into a vat of it.
Before I even walked in, I was greeted with a chalkboard sign outside that said, “It’s Pure Happiness!” Yes, I would like a bowl of pure happiness please.
When I did walk in, my eyes went straight to the the fresh popcorn that was being made in the back. I wanted to run back there and inhale all of the chocolatey smells coming from the tasty popcorn that was being made. But I controlled myself. Or was derailed by the cheery man beckoning me over to all of the different flavors calling my name. Either one.
“Would you like to try one?”
“For free?”
“Yes! Free samples!”
As I contemplated my choices, I wondered if I could just say one of each. But no… Once again I demonstrated some level of self-control. “I’d like to try the S’mores and the Buckeye, please!”
The S’mores is perfectly decadent for the season. All of the flavors of the chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers and popcorn perfectly come together to remind me of childhood campfire stories. It’s the flavor of the month, so definitely get in to Shirley’s to try it now.
And then the Buckeye… I never knew that chocolate, peanut butter and popcorn could be my true spirit animal, but I may now have dreams of filling up a room of my house with the buckeye popcorn and eating my way out. I firmly believe that when they say, “It’s Pure Happiness,” they are referring to this flavor.
I then asked for a small bag full of the Caramel to Die For that I planned on sharing with my husband. But the bag magically disappeared on my way home. I mean, it had to have. There’s no way I ate a bag full of popcorn all by myself over the course of a short drive, right? Yes, it definitely magically disappeared.
So next time, to guard against magical disappearances, I’m planning on getting a tin. Plus the tins are refillable for a discounted price. More popcorn at a cheaper price? I’m totally on board for that!
Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Company is a great place to stop just for the amazing smells. But there’s just something about the popcorn. Make sure you buy more than you think you need, because everyone is going to want some.