Weaver Popcorn Launches New Microwave Popcorn Brand Made with Olive Oil

"Movie Theater Butter is a perennial favorite flavor, but we think popcorn lovers will be especially excited about new Parmesan with Italian Herbs & Garlic. That flavor gives a gourmet twist to microwave popcorn."

4/21/2011 --- Weaver Popcorn Company, Inc., is introducing the first microwave popcorn brand made with olive oil. The new Weaver Gold line comes in two delicious flavors – Movie Theater Butter and Parmesan with Italian Herbs & Garlic – and provides the health benefits of olive oil. The company expects to also introduce Light Butter and Classic Butter flavors in the near future.

"Since popcorn is all we make, we are continually working to add new flavors to our line and make microwave popcorn healthier," said Mike Weaver, president and chief executive officer of Weaver Popcorn. "Movie Theater Butter is a perennial favorite flavor, but we think popcorn lovers will be especially excited about new Parmesan with Italian Herbs & Garlic. That flavor gives a gourmet twist to microwave popcorn."

Using olive oil instead of other types of oil, like the palm oil used by many microwave popcorn brands, means that new Weaver Gold popcorn is significantly lower in saturated fat. And, both Weaver Gold flavors contain 0g trans fat per serving. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, and helps to protect against heart disease because it controls LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, while raising HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. In addition, olive oil is high in polyphenols – a form of antioxidant.

Not only does the olive oil in Weaver Gold provide antioxidants, but popcorn itself is also a source of antioxidants. Since it is 100 percent whole grain, popcorn is also a good source of fiber.