Gene and Lynn Mealhow began their journey of this heirloom popcorn in
1995, growing and cultivating it on a small scale. Gene is agronomist and
organic soil consultant. In the 1990s, he met a farmer named Richard Kelty, who
had kept a special popcorn variety in the family since the 1850s. Richard was
yielding around 600 pounds per acre (where hybrid commercial varieties are
yielding 5000+ pounds per acre). After experimenting with special organic
fertilizer blends and old-world methods of seed selection, Gene and Richard
were able to increase the yield an average of 1800 pounds per acre (3000 pounds
per acre is the maximum this variety will produce). Richard wanted to retire,
so the Mealhows decided to buy the business from him. After massive floods in
2008 and 2009, the Mealhows almost lost everything, but with help of “good
food” promoters, family, friends, and local farmers they came together to help
get everything back. In 2010, Tiny But Might Popcorn was born – an ancient
variety of popcorn with unbelievable flavor and health benefits.
The first thing you’ll notice is how small the kernels are. The window
packaging is ideal for showing off those tiny kernels. When you open the package,
the scent is the essence of fresh corn. I have a little movie-style popcorn
machine at home and the Tiny But Might Popcorn pops really well in it with very
little waste of un-popped kernels. I think the bigger kernels get pushed out
too quickly when the corn starts to pop resulting in two to three tablespoons
of un-popped kernels. Tiny But Mighty Popcorn will maybe have 5-10 un-popped
kernels left. Even so, the kernels are still soft enough to crunch on like a
corn nut but smaller. The kernels expand to about 2/3 the size of regular
popcorn, but the flavor is just out of this world! You can actually taste the
corn in every kernel.
Another variation I tried was I using bacon drippings (a sustainable
practice in my household to try to use every part of the animal) instead of oil
and just sea salt to taste. The essence of smoky pork flavor and the sea salt
brought out more of the natural corn flavor. It’s just amazing!
Find Tiny But Might Popcorn in Midwest grocers like HyVee, Fareway, and
Whole Foods or order direct from their website. It will change the way you
think about popcorn forever!
3282 62nd St
Shellsburg, IA 52332
319.436.2119
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