The Cult Of Kernel: Why Buttered Popcorn Dum Dums Are The Most Polarizing Candy Ever
Contents
The Short, Controversial History of the Buttered Popcorn Dum Dum
The story of the Buttered Popcorn Dum Dum is a fascinating case study in confectionery risk-taking. The Dum Dums lollipop itself has a rich history, first being made in 1924 by the Akron Candy Company before being purchased by the Spangler Candy Company in 1953, which moved operations to Bryan, Ohio. For decades, the brand stuck to classic, crowd-pleasing fruit and dessert flavors like Cherry, Cream Soda, Root Beer, and Butterscotch. However, as the brand approached the new millennium, Spangler began experimenting with more unconventional tastes to drive excitement and media buzz. This adventurous spirit led to the introduction of the Buttered Popcorn flavor around 2000 or 2001. [cite: 10, 15 (from previous search)] The flavor was intended to capture the authentic, savory, and buttery essence of movie theater popcorn, translating it into a hard candy form. The result was a flavor that few people were indifferent about. [cite: 7 (from previous search)] * Initial Release: Circa 2000-2001. [cite: 10 (from previous search)] * Manufacturer: Spangler Candy Company, Bryan, Ohio. * Status: Officially "Gone on vacation" (retired). [cite: 12 (from previous search)] * The Controversy: It was met with an immediate, polarized reaction, with some calling it a genius creation and others deeming it the worst flavor ever produced. [cite: 7 (from previous search)] * The Quick Exit: Due to the divisive nature of the feedback, the flavor was quickly pulled from the main lineup and officially "sent on vacation" after a very brief run. [cite: 10 (from previous search)]The Mystery Mania Phenomenon and 2025 Status
While the Buttered Popcorn flavor is not available in standard mixed bags of Dum Dums, its retirement is not a complete disappearance. Spangler Candy Company has been known to reintroduce the flavor as a limited-edition offering, often as a promotional event to delight nostalgic fans and generate conversation.The Return of the Kernel
One of the most notable returns was during the "Mystery Mania" promotion. This special limited run saw the highly requested, yet highly unusual, flavors of Buttered Popcorn, Bacon, and Pizza packaged together. [cite: 4 (from previous search), 6 (from previous search)] These bizarre, savory-inspired lollipops became instant collector's items and proved that the demand for the Buttered Popcorn flavor, even among its detractors, remains strong.The Enduring 'Mystery Flavor' Connection
Perhaps the most current and unique way the Buttered Popcorn flavor continues to exist is through the famous Dum Dums "Mystery Flavor." The Mystery Flavor is often not a distinct flavor at all, but rather the result of the machine transitioning between two different batches of flavors, creating a temporary, accidental blend. [cite: 14 (from previous search)] * The Theory: Long-time fans and even former Spangler employees have noted that when Buttered Popcorn is one of the flavors being produced, its remnants can mix with the subsequent flavor, essentially creating a rare, accidental Buttered Popcorn hybrid mystery pop. [cite: 13 (from previous search)] * The 2025 Reality: While you cannot buy a bag of just Buttered Popcorn Dum Dums in 2025, the possibility of encountering a "transitional" Buttered Popcorn-infused Mystery Flavor keeps the hunt alive for dedicated fans. [cite: 13 (from previous search)] The fact that a retired flavor can still generate such conversation and speculation about its accidental reappearance is a testament to its legend.Why the Flavor is So Polarizing: A Study in Savory-Sweet Conflict
The deep division among candy lovers regarding Buttered Popcorn Dum Dums stems from a fundamental conflict in flavor profile. Candy is traditionally a sweet, fruity, or chocolate-based experience. Popcorn, however, is a savory, salty, and fatty snack. The attempt to blend these two worlds is what makes the flavor a truly polarizing entity. [cite: 7 (from previous search), 11]The Pro-Popcorn Camp: Nostalgia and Novelty
Fans of the Buttered Popcorn flavor praise its authentic, rich, and unmistakable buttery taste. For them, it is a fun, nostalgic nod to the movie theater experience, offering a burst of savory flavor in a convenient, sugar-based format. Entities like Jelly Belly have proven that Buttered Popcorn can be a wildly successful, even top-selling, flavor in the candy world, suggesting a dedicated market for this profile. [cite: 13 (from previous search), 15 (from previous search)] The 'Pro-Popcorn' fans appreciate the novelty and the bold risk taken by Spangler Candy Company.The Anti-Popcorn Camp: The Salt and Texture Problem
Detractors, on the other hand, often describe the flavor as "waxy," "unnatural," or simply "wrong." The core issue is the absence of salt and the lack of the expected popcorn texture. They argue that the authentic popcorn experience is incomplete without the crunch of the kernel and the salty finish. [cite: 18 (from previous search)] A sweet, hard candy that tastes like butter is an unsettling sensation for many palates, especially when compared to classic Dum Dums flavors like Watermelon, Lemon-Lime, or Strawberry-Kiwi.The Polarizing Effect on Other Confections
The debate surrounding the Buttered Popcorn flavor is not limited to Dum Dums. It is a microcosm of a larger candy trend, where savory flavors cross over into the sweet realm. * Jelly Belly: The Buttered Popcorn Jelly Belly bean is famously one of the most popular, yet simultaneously most hated, flavors, often used in the BeanBoozled challenge to trick unsuspecting eaters. [cite: 11, 13 (from previous search)] * Salt Water Taffy: Brands like Taffy Town and Sweet Candy Company offer Buttered Popcorn Taffy, which provides a chewy, buttery alternative for those who miss the Dum Dums version. [cite: 2 (from previous search), 8 (from previous search)] The Buttered Popcorn Dum Dum pop is more than just a retired piece of candy; it is a cultural artifact that proves candy doesn't always have to be safe. It stands alongside other bold, discontinued Dum Dums flavors like Banana, Black Cherry, and Coconut-Pineapple, but none have ever sparked the same level of enduring passion and debate. The question remains: Will Spangler Candy Company ever succumb to the fan pressure and bring the controversial, but beloved, Buttered Popcorn flavor back for good? Only time, and perhaps another "Mystery Mania" promotion, will tell.
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