Nichols Farm pops specialty popcorn from scratch
HEBRON, Md. — Whether you use it to dress the tree, or just enjoy munching on it as a snack popcorn is beloved holiday treat. A local farm shared their specialties to learn goes into making the salty treat.
Have you ever wondered what goes into a popped caramelized delicacy? Nichols farm has taken years to perfect their perfect popcorn recipe.
Owner and laborer of Nichols Farm, Bruce Nichols said, “We started, growing corn 15 years ago. So my knowledge is really 15 years of experimenting with it. Working with it and perfecting the types that we grow.”
What started out two rows of corn, grew to several acres of Christmas season popcorn.
“We’ve gone through years of trying to get the right corn and we finally have. There are two major divisions of corn that are grown here and one so butterfly corn, and the other one, a mushroom type corn.” said Nichols.
Corn can pop into many shapes but the so-called mushroom holds the flavor the best. Growing and drying the corn has become a science to the family-owned farm and its all natural.
He said, “We take it right out of the field. It’s in bushel baskets, which are, well ventilated. We bring it in here and set it on benches and throughout the place, and we dry it until it’s about 14% moisture.”
The kernels have to hold between 12-15% moisture to be able to pop and the whole greenhouse is filled with about two tons of corn, where it sits for about three weeks drying out.
“When we have it down to 14% moisture, then we run it through the machinery and we take it off the cob and then stored for use in popping.” said Nichols.
That’s where laborer, Bill Jones comes in.
“My family is of the English restaurants and over the years with my father especially, he loved creating recipes and doing different things and I kind of learned how to do a lot of that.” Jones added, “It’s water, butter, sugar, brown sugar and salt. That’s all there is to it. And then a lot of love.” said Jones.
Nichols Farm only sells its popcorn for the holiday season. If you want that full holiday experience picking out a tree and a snack, now’s the time. The farm is open Wednesday through Sunday 7:30am to 5:30pm.
