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Mini Pops Popped Sorghum Review (and Giveaway)!

I am SO EXCITED about this review and giveaway that I can hardly stand it!!

To all my corn-free friends out there (especially the itty-bitty’s), it’s time to throw a popcorn Mini Pop party!

What the heck is a “Mini Pop” you ask?  Well, Mini Pops are an itty bitty corn-free version of popcorn made from sorghum!  Sorghum flour is commonly used in gluten-free baking, but sorghum can also be used to make sorghum molasses and you can even pop the seed, just like popcorn!

From the Mini Pops website:

Mini Pops is air popped sorghum grain. Each individual sorghum grain has a tiny pocket of water in its center. When the sorghum is exposed to high heat, that water inside heats up and expands causing the grain to Explode! And voilà – Mini Pops are born. This just so happens to be how popcorn is made too.

Mini Pops can be flavored just like popcorn, and you’ll see that it has great nutritional benefits in addition to being gluten free and corn free. It lacks those thin popcorn hulls that typically get caught in the teeth and gums, and it’s a delicious, crunchy snack that can be enjoyed anywhere.

They make it sound so…easy.  You might even be wondering, what’s the big deal, why not just buy some sorghum seed and pop your own?  Yes, you certainly could (good luck with that)! 😉

Have you ever tried to pop sorghum yourself?  If you haven’t, let me spare you the gazillions of tiny little seeds that angrily jump out of the pan as quickly as you dump them in (attacking you with hideously hot oil in the process), and just show you a video featuring Andrew Zimern, host of the television show Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel, sharing his experience with popped sorghum (NOT the Mini Pops brand specifically).

Cool huh? 😀

All of the Mini Pops flavors are popped using hot air (not oil), so there is less fat.  Mini Pops are also certified organic, which means the sorghum they use is pesticide-free and has not been genetically modified! 😀

Ari Taube, President and Founder of Mini Pops recently sent me a complimentary assortment of Mini Pops to sample and review for you.  My husband and kids absolutely loved them, especially their “itty-bittiness.”  I can personally vouch for the fact that the hulls don’t get stuck in your teeth the way popcorn hulls do!

Mini Pops literally just opened their doors for business, and they just received their GFCO certification 3 days ago (they passed with flying colors, yea!). I asked Ari about Mini Pops suitability for other allergies and here is what he had to say:

All Mini Pops flavors are peanut-free, soy-free and corn-free in addition to being gluten-free (the gluten-free is by design – the others by chance).  The Baby White Cheddar and Itsy Bitsy Chili Cheese flavors both contain dairy because of the dehydrated cheddar that I use.

Currently, the available flavors are:

Subatomic Sea Salt

Petite Plain

Baby White Cheddar

Hot ‘N Chilly Chili

Little Lemon Pepper

Itsy Bitsy Chili Cheese

Flavors still in Development:

Teeny Tiny Kettle Pops

Cutie Caramel

Itty Bitty Butter

Would you like to try some Mini Pops for yourself? Well, here’s your chance!

Ari has generously offered to give THREE of my readers a complimentary sample pack of Mini Pops, each containing one of each available flavor, woo-hoo! 😀

To enter for a chance to win one of three complimentary sample packs of Mini Pops popped sorghum, simply leave a comment below suggesting a future “itty bitty” name and flavor of Mini Pops!

Lots of Bonus Entry Opportunities (these are completely optional, but if you do decide to do one, two or even all of them, please be sure to leave a separate comment for EACH completed task that you do, this is how I keep track of all the entries):

  • Sign up for the Mini Pops Newsletter (click on the link and look on the left sidebar for the newsletter sign-up form).
  • Share the link to this giveaway on your Facebook Page.
  • Mention this giveaway in a blog post (be sure to include a link back to this page).
  • Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter (be sure to include the link to this post, @Mini_Pops and @adventuresgfmom in your tweet).

Using the Random Number Generator, I will pick the 3 winners on Tuesday, September 14th, 2010.

Until then, hopefully I will see you on Facebook! 😀

Comments

  1. Bit O Spicy

  2. Oh yay!! Where can we buy??? My name for them: Sassy Salt & Vinegar!

  3. liked Mini Pops on Facebook

  4. I "like" Mini Pops on Facebook!!

  5. I signed up for their newsletter!! Heck yea!!!

  6. Following on twitter too 🙂

  7. tweeted it too!

  8. Liked Mini Pops on Facebook

  9. Following you on twitter too 🙂 My above comment was for following mini pop on twitter!

  10. Following Mini Pops on Twitter

  11. Kelly Kokoska says

    How about "itty bitty BBQutie"?

  12. AND I already like you on facebook!

  13. Signed up for the Mini Pops newsletter

  14. Shared the link of Facebook!

  15. Tweet, tweet!

  16. I follow you on twitter (@pilateschik)

  17. I follow Mini_Pops on Twitter (@pilateschik)

  18. If I could follow you on twitter again or like you again on Facebook I so would!!! Ever since you first posted about these I have been wanting to feed them to my son!! 🙂

  19. I tweeted about the review and giveaway!! Woohoo!! Thank you!!

  20. OH MY GOSH!!! I HAVE TO BUY THIS!! I avoid corn as much as possible since my body really doesn't like grains very much at all… this is AWESOME!! Thank you SO much for sharing!! I can't wait to try this!

  21. Spicy BBQ or a spicy curry would be fun. I LOVE the idea of popcorn without the inner hull. Awesome!!!

  22. I am so excited…my boys don't even know what popcorn is! My older one is allergic to corn, so the plain mini pops are going to be an awesome snack! Two things we always loved on popcorn growing up- soy sauce and nutritional yeast (yes, people looked at our snacks strangely, but I still love it topped this way!) so I was thinking sprinkled with gluten-free soy sauce (Braggs, Tamari ?), it could be called "Soy Yummy"….thanks for sharing! Breanna at Allergic Adventures

  23. I "liked" Mini Pops on facebook

  24. I already "like" you on facebook 🙂

  25. I follow you on Twitter

  26. I follow Mini-Pops on twitter

  27. What about… a flavor lightly coated in sugar with cinnamon (kind of like a sopaipilla coating) with the name Sweet Cinnamon Pop!

  28. I signed up for the Mini Pops newsletter

  29. I also follow Mini Pops on Twitter!

  30. shared the link to this giveaway on my "Allergic Adventures" facebook page

  31. I tweeted, too!

  32. Oh this looks SO cool!!! My kids (& us parents too!) love popcorn, but while we're not corn free, its so important to limit corn with my son!! :>

    How about a flavor with olive oil & garlic?! Marvelous Mediterranean, Groovy Garlic, Mini Mediterranean!! :>

  33. I Like Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook! :>

  34. I follow adventuresgfmom on Twitter….that's how I found your blog to begin with! :>

  35. How about "Slightly Sweet Cinnamon" or "Sugar and Spice" or "Caramel Craze"? (You don't think I have a sweet tooth, do you?)

  36. Liked mini-pops on FB.

  37. My flavor suggestion would be something fruity, like strawberry or cherry (like the popcorn balls made with pink jello mix). You could call them Pretty in Pink Pops!

  38. like you on facebook

  39. My favorite flavors are already mentioned (cheddar, kettle, and plain), but my hubby loves things way hot, so maybe a NM green chile hot (or red!)

  40. How about Spicy Spinach? Hmm might not be too appealing to the kiddos with that name.

  41. I already “like” you on Facebook!! Diane Bennett Bramos

  42. Lil’ Chocolatey Bites 🙂 My son is going to LOVE these!

  43. I shared on Facebook!!

  44. Likes Mini Pops on Facebook

  45. Very cool!! Don't enter me in the giveaway, because I'm still not sure I can eat sorghum, but good luck to all. Fun stuff for sure. 😉

    xo,

    Shirley

  46. Itty Bitty Butterscotch

  47. I subscribed to the Mini Pops newsletter

  48. I Like Mini Pops on Facebook as "Lisa Selmon Vance"

  49. I follow Mini Pops on twitter as @LisaSVance

  50. I Like ”Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom" on Facebook as "Lisa Selmon Vance

  51. I follow you on twitter as @LisaSVance

  52. How about Cinnamon Craze with lots of yummy Cinnamon in it!

  53. I like you on Facebook!

  54. I signed up for Mini Pops newsletter! 🙂

  55. I LOVE this! Where can I buy them? I have been oh so missing popcorn.

    How about "caramel crunch" with nuts like cracker jacks? I can't wait to try this!

  56. elizabeth kohnen says

    I can't wait to try this. I have popped amaranth but it is SO tiny you can't do much with it. I'll be asking for this at my local health food store! Elizabeth

  57. I'd suggest a peanut butter flavor called "Wee PB" 🙂

  58. Something with toffee – "tasty toffee".

  59. I "like" Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook.

  60. I follow you on Twitter.

  61. Wow! I have never heard of this product. I really miss popcorn! It sounds like they are working on a kettle corn flavor. That would be my suggestion. 🙂

  62. I follow you on Twitter @Ebee333.

  63. HOW ABOUT "POP GOES THE WESSEL"

  64. I'm tweeting about it! Thanks!!

  65. Dena Feller says

    Teeny Tiny Tropical! I saw a Mango flavored sugar highlighted on Cake Boss, that they were going to use in making italian ice. That would be EXCELLENT on the mini-pops. They had a supplier on the show that would get them three different sugar flavors…. Lavendar, Rose, and Mango, I think. Talk about a sweet, yummy, unusual flavor.

  66. How about "Cini-Mini" or "Mini Choco-Locos" (chocolate covered with caramel). Yum! Yum! Yum!

  67. How about Teensy Weensy Chocolaty Chip? I love chocolate and popcorn flavors together!

  68. I liked Mini Pops on FB.

  69. I'm following Mini Pops on Twitter @MommaStaciA.

  70. I like you on FB.

  71. And I follow you on Twitter @MommaStaciA. Thanks!

  72. I like the idea of a chocolate flavor 🙂

  73. Shared link on FB

  74. Already "Like" Adventures of a GF Mom" 🙂

  75. Liked Mini Pops on FB

  76. Carrie Elsass says

    I signed up for the MP newsletter.

  77. Carrie Elsass says

    I like A of a GFM on FB.

  78. Carrie Elsass says

    I liked Mini Pops on FB

  79. a Butterglaze flavor and a Chili & Lime flavor

  80. Roly Poly Bear says

    How about Puny Pumpkin Spice? a lil cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and perhaps a dash of cardamom? Yum!

  81. This sounds awesome!! What about the flavour, Sassy salt 'n vinegar? Or Pizza Supreme?

  82. Maple Magic

  83. We like parmesan cheese on our popcorn so I think pint-sized parms would be a good name and flavor!

  84. Hello Heidi,

    Found your blog and it looks great. I wanted to see if you are interested in posting a favorite recipe on my website. You get full credits and links. Also, I announced a new contest this week for your readers – Back to School Story – winners get a Epi-Pen carrier and free food! If you want to share this – http://www.allergiesandme.com/Food-Allergies-at-S….
    Thanks and have a great weekend.

    Jamie Stern, owner of Allergiesandme.com

  85. How about Mini Mango Bursts?

  86. I subscribed to the Mini Pops Newsletter!

  87. Baby Pizza Pops- tomato and italian seasoning flavor (no cheese)

  88. i Signed up for the Mini Pops Newsletter

  89. I followed mini pops on twitter

    -seamaiden399

  90. I Liked minipops on facebook!

    -Sea Maiden

  91. I also followed you on Facebook.

    -Sea Maiden

  92. Shared the link to this giveaway on my Facebook Page

  93. Following adventuresgfmom on Twitter.

  94. Tweeted about this giveaway on Twitter (made sure to include the link to this post, @Mini_Pops and @adventuresgfmom in my tweet).

  95. Like Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook.

  96. Following Mini Pops on Twitter.

  97. Liked Mini Pops on Facebook

  98. What about Jalapeno Cheddar pops?

  99. my suggestion is "Wacky Wasabi"– pea sized crunchy-ness plus 'clear-out your sinus' spicy-ness!

    can't wait to find their mini-pops in my local stores!

  100. Hey Heidi –

    Finally catching up. This looks great! I would love to try some! I have only started using sorghum flour this year. "Popcorn" sounds like fun!

  101. Just subscribed to the newsletter and checked out their website.

  102. Liking the Mini Pops on FB!

  103. I already follow you on FB too…

  104. Hmmm…what flavor? Maybe sea salt and pepper? Or salt and vinegar?

  105. posted on FB about it too! I'm on a roll tonight! Trying to get through my 600+ emails from the past three weeks.

  106. Signed up for the newsletter

  107. Liked Mini Pops on Facebook

  108. Follow Mini Pops on Twitter

  109. How about Mini Macaroni & Cheese? 🙂

  110. I “Like” Mini Pops on Facebook.

    http://www.facebook.com/calidreamin87

  111. I follow Mini Pops on Twitter as "calidreamin87"

  112. I “Like” Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook.

    http://www.facebook.com/calidreamin87

  113. I just signed up for the Mini Pops newsletter. These look so cute! That video of the woman popping some sorghum in that huge brazier-thing is amazing!

  114. My name idea is Sweetie Pie Cinnamon Sugar.

    Thanks!

  115. I signed up for the mini-pops newsletter.

    Thanks!

  116. Itty Bitty Sweet Cinna (cinnamon & sugar flav or cinnabon flav).

  117. Tiny Tamari/seaweed pops

    or Itsy Bitsy Asian Pops

  118. Itty Bitty Chocolate Chip

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