What Are Popped Water Lily Seeds? 6 Reasons Parents Keep Refilling The Snack Drawer
They look like popcorn. They're not corn at all. Here's what's actually in the bag you're handing over.
It's not popcorn. It's not even a grain.
Most people assume they're made from corn, but really they're seeds from a water lily, grown in shallow water, harvested by hand, and popped with heat. India has been eating them for centuries as makhana.
They pop open all the way through, so there's no hard kernel left in the middle. Nothing to crack a tooth on.
“I wasn't sure what to expect, but they are a bit like popcorn, but crunchier with a great crunchy texture.”
The whole ingredient list fits on one line.
Himalayan Pink Salt, the original, in full:
That's it!
Harvested by hand, popped with heat, then tossed in extra virgin olive oil. No deep fryer, so no seed oils and no greasy finish. No added sugar. Nothing on the back of the bag you'd have to google.
“Must have bought 1000 bags of these! As a dietitian, they're a great crunch and flavor for low cal.”
120 calories, and the whole bag is one serving.
Most snack bags are three servings pretending to be one. You end up doing the math. Here the bag is the serving. You hand it over and that's the end of it.
“Super light, cheesy deliciousness. And they're filling enough that they don't disappear two seconds after opening the bag.”
Free from almost everything you're checking for.
If someone in your house makes you read every label, start here.
| AshaPops | Popcorn | Chips | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfying crunch | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gluten, corn, grain free | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No seed oil bath | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No kernels or hulls | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Worth knowing before you buy: these are made in a facility that also processes gluten, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans. No nuts go into the recipe. The facility is shared though, so these are not right for a severe nut allergy and they will not clear a nut-free classroom.
Four flavors. Everyone gets their own bag.
Mild and salty, cheesy, bold and garlicky, or properly spicy. Everybody in the house wants a different one. The variety pack has all four, so you'll know the favorite by the weekend.
“The kids tried the snacks and they loved the taste too.”
A mother and son make them in Los Angeles
“My son Jai and I now pop and season them in LA for our AshaPops family to enjoy.”
Non-GMO Project Verified and OU Kosher certified.
What a bag costs, and why.
We only use the highest quality ingredients, and we don't cut corners to get the price down. The seeds are hand harvested from shallow water, then popped and seasoned in small batches in Los Angeles instead of run through an industrial extruder.
Here's where the value comes back. The bag is the serving, so you're not going through three to feel full. Multipacks and subscription drop the per-bag price further.
“The perfect crunchy snack with only healthy ingredients. Easy to find at Whole Foods.”
“We love the green Vegan Cheese flavor. My kids LOVE these and they're such healthy snacks. We go through so many bags that we needed to come direct to the source!”
“Great to keep in a work bag or the car and satisfy the need for a salty crunch without a whole lot of extra fat.”
“This product is amazingly tasty, light, and fluffy! The flavors are unique and they also add to the experience.”
“Been looking for something crunchy, flavorful and low cal. These little tidbits hit the mark on all three!”
Will my kids actually eat them?
Vegan Cheese, by a wide margin. Tastes like a cheese puff, nothing spicy in it. If yours is suspicious of anything green, start with Pink Salt instead.
Can they go in a school lunch?
Usually yes. No nuts in the recipe, nothing to refrigerate, and the bag survives a backpack. The catch is the facility, which also processes peanuts and tree nuts. That means they will not pass a nut-free classroom rule. Check your school's policy first.
How many calories?
120 in the whole 1 oz bag. The bag is the serving.
Are they allergen friendly?
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, corn-free, soy-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly, Non-GMO Project Verified and OU Kosher. Made in a facility that also processes gluten, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans, so read the label before buying for a severe allergy.
Can I buy them in a store?
Select Whole Foods, Erewhon and Natural Grocers locations. Availability varies by store and flavor. Ordering direct gets the full range.
Advertising disclosure. This page is presented by AshaPops. Customer quotes are drawn from verified published reviews and reflect individual experience; results vary. Press quotations are attributed to their original publications.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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