Important DMs Chicago Mix, the Vince Vaughn of popcorn

Critical DMs light edited Slack chats with staff members from the MPR News arts team about Minnesota culture and art.

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In this week’s episode, Arts editor Max Sparber and arts reporter and critic Jacob Aloi discuss Candyland’s Chicago Mix popcorn.

Max Sparber: All right, popcorn ahoy.

Jacob Aloi Although I’m currently located in Chicago I was unable to find Chicago Mix. However, I believe that’s fine because it’s not coming from Chicago I guess?

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Sparber There’s no way to know how the idea behind it was born Mixed popcorns have been around for years. However, you’re correct that the name is an Minnesota invention. Specifically, Candyland in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Stillwater.

Garrett Popcorn in Chicago called their mix Chicago Mix and Candyland was sued.

Aloi Chicago Mix does sound better that “Twin Cities Mix.” Sorry MSP metropolitan region.

Sparber This is what Candyland was thinking when they christened it. Chicago Mix just sounds like popcorn you’d like to consume.

Let’s describe it.

Aloi The Candyland’s Chicago Mix is a mix of cheese-flavored popcorn Carmel popcorn, and what’s was described as “seasoned” popcorn.

Sparber The cheese is made of cheddar powder and in case any spice-timid Midwesterners get scared over the spice it’s popcorn oil, and salt.

I’ve experienced mixed popcorn in which they add hot pepper spice -This isn’t the case.

The Aloi Salt can be an ingredient in a seasoning. It’s also excellent marketing!

Sparber: No lies here!

Aloi One thing that I love about this mix is that it’s well-balanced between sweet and savory flavors, as well as an added dose of sodium thanks to”seasoned” popcorn “seasoned” popcorn.

Sparber Yes, this is an everyday staple in my home. I eat quite a bit from it. Even my friend is a big fan and our dog nags us to feed the most amount of it.

Aloi Are you able to enjoy it throughout the year? I’ve always thought of it as winter, until I began working at MPR in the MPR office, where it’s a meeting snack preferred snack.

Sparber It happens every time I go to Candyland. Because I am located near downtown Minneapolis and there’s Candyland Candyland only a few blocks close to the St. Paul office, it happens quite often.

I also buy Chicago Mix knockoffs you find in the grocery stores. They have merits however they do not contain the seasoned popcorn, making it a true battle between sweet and savory.

Aloi Well, I believe you’ll need the standard products to help you cut through more intense flavors.

Sparber: I agree. Despite its name the Candyland version is similar to the famously Minnesotan version.

I believe there is something distinctly Minnesotan about obfuscating the fact that you’re Minnesotan. It’s like Prince of Wales telling Matt Damon that he lives within his own heart.

Aloi Chicago Mix: The king of snacks.

Sparber This is an excellent slogan.

The Aloi A snack-type food is officially referred to by the name of Chicago Mix.

Sparber: Chicago Mix: It’s inside your heart. Matt Damon.

In reality, it’s more similar to Vince Vaughn. His birthplace was in Minneapolis but claims to be a Chicagoan which is where he was raised.

Aloi Whatever it may be, I believe Candyland deserves the status as the definitive source for Chicago Mix.

Sparber: By law!

It’s odd to me that people went crazy for Jucy Lucy a few years ago, yet Chicago Mix doesn’t seem like it’s got the same local food craze.

Aloi: Name recognition. It’s a confusing name that is highly marketable and keeps the possibility of being a local hero.

Sparber Yes, but I imagine that if Jucy Lucy had called itself the Santa Fe Lucy none of us would be discussing it.

Chicago Mix gives and Chicago Mix takes away.