If you’ve gone to many local Calvert County events, you’ve seen the now familiar tent and heard the pop of popcorn flying in all directions. Calvert Kettle Corn seems to be everywhere and it’s easy to see why as lines form to choose from one of dozens of delicious flavors that they make themselves in their North Beach shop.
Tom and Paulette Peterson began their business over 11 years ago after seeing it done in North Beach. The first year, they worked hard to get into 12 shows. Now, they do about 150 each year.
What makes Kettle corn different from regular popcorn? Well, it’s popped in oil and sugar, so it comes out just a little sweeter. Made in a huge iron kettle with high pressure propane fuel, it’s heated to 450 degrees. Tom is the only popper. You’ll see him with a clear visor over his face to protect him from burns, but he likes what he does.
All the flavors from strawberry banana to crab are made in their small North Beach storefront and if you have a craving for Kettle Corn and miss them at a local event, you can buy it there all year. The kernels are fluffier and rounder than the ones I cook at home, better somehow cooked outside over high heat. On a busy day, they can fill up to 500 bags of kettle corn.
Try several flavors. My girls don’t like sweet popcorn, but loved the butter flavor and regretted not getting a bigger bag. If you love it, invest in one of their buckets and refill it as often as you’d like for half price.
Delicious and local, it’s another great product of Calvert County to give, to get, and to enjoy.
http://calvertkettlecorn.com
