Articles written by Sephra
Articles written by
Sephra
15 fun popcorn facts you didn't already know
We're talking fun popcorn facts – and the more outrageous the better! Because, when it comes to fun foods, it doesn’t get more fun than popcorn. But how much do you know about this traditional cinema favorite? From popcorn’s origins to its health benefits and quirky traits, there’s plenty of trivia to be had.
Here are a few fun popcorn facts you probably didn’t know:
[caption id="attachment_2002" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Can you think of anymore fun popcorn facts?[/caption] 1. Nebraska produces the most popped corn in America – a title it has held since 1977. The state produces more than 25% of the nation’s popcorn. 2. Popcorn can reach distances of up to 3ft when popping3. The USA ate three times more popped corn during WW2 at the height of the sugar shortage and subsequent rationing. 4. Then, in 1949, the snack was temporarily banned from movie theatres for being too loud and crunchy. 5. There’s a day for everything and popcorn is no exception! National Popcorn Day lands on January 19 every year – presenting a great excuse to pop your favorite corn to cosy up and share in front of a classic blockbuster movie. You can even join in the online celebrations by sharing your photos on social media using the hashtag #NationalPopcornDay.Popcorn facts in numbers
[caption id="attachment_1988" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Sephra Popcorn is available now to retail! [/caption] 6. Popcorn has been around since the start of civilization. In fact, it’s more than 5,000 years old. 7. However, the microwave variety didn’t come about until 1982.8. The ideal temperature for popping corn is around 400 degrees Fahrenheit.9. The first commercial popcorn machine was invented by Charles Cretors in Chicago in 1885. The business he founded still manufactures machines, popping supplies and other specialty equipment. 10. Today, many movie theaters make more profit from retail popcorn than they do from ticket sales. For every dollar spent on popped corn, around 90 cents is pure profit. It’s also thought the salty version makes moviegoers thirsty and therefore more likely to buy expensive sodas.More fun popcorn facts: Cool kernels
[caption id="attachment_2122" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]There's more to these kernels than meets the eye[/caption] 11. Unpopped kernels are called "old maids" or "spinsters." 12. Popcorn, whose scientific name is zea mays everta, is the only type of corn that will pop – largely down to the amount of moisture (typically 4% water) contained in each kernel. Because its shell is watertight, the steam can’t escape so pressure builds up until the kernel finally explodes and turns inside out. 13. Some Native American tribes, which seasoned popcorn with dried herbs and spices (and even made popcorn into soup and beer), believed that spirits lived inside the kernels and became angry when exposed to heat, ultimately popping with fury. 14. Americans consume enough popped corn every year to fill the Empire State Building, which stands at 1,454 feet (443 meters) tall, 18 times. 15. Van Buren in Indiana; Marion in Ohio; Ridgway in Illinois; Schaller in Iowa, and North Loup in Nebraska all claim to be the Popcorn Capital of the World because of its importance to their local economies.A nation of record-breaking popcorn munchers?
[caption id="attachment_2006" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Sweet or salty? How do you prefer yours?[/caption]Warning: Please don’t try these popcorn feats at home!
When it comes to fun popcorn facts, the USA holds some of the world’s record-breaking popcorn titles: According to recordsetter.com, Johnny Bajnoczy from Taberg in New York holds the upside down speed-eating record after eating 40 pieces of popped corn while standing on his head in 2014. Meanwhile, also in 2014, Taylor Dodson from Waco in Texas is said to have broken the record for eating the most popcorn while twerking upside down. According to the website, she managed to eat 18 pieces of popped corn while attempting to defy gravity. But the far more impressive World Popcorn Eating crown is held by Las Vegas resident and speed-eating champion Matt Stonie, who ate more than 28 24-ounce boxes in one eight-minute sitting in 2021.* And when it comes to drama, it doesn’t get more theatrical than this Sephra Popcorn Staging Cabinet – developed in collaboration with Sephra’s very own managing director and inventor David Archer. Thanks to this invention, cinemas, kiosks and stores can keep their popcorn warm and crisp – and ready to serve up at a moment’s notice – thanks to its unique crisping technology, which retains taste and texture. Being able to see the tasty puffs inside also entices cinema and theater-goers to order more of the snack at point of sale. Clever huh? You can find more popcorn facts, including how air-popped popcorn can help maintain good health, here...7 surprising health benefits of air-popped popcorn
Is popcorn good for you? Let’s find out!
Here are just a few of air-popped popcorn’s purported health benefits:
- Prevents constipation. Firstly, air-popped popcorn is high in fiber – around 3.6 grams per cup to be exact – which can help to relieve constipation and keep you regular. But it must be air-popped (eg DIY). Beware microwave popcorn, which often contains way more calories and saturated fat. The air-popped variety, on the other hand, typically has less than 100 calories per serving.
Popcorn the protector
[caption id="attachment_2112" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]Air-popped popcorn has lots of protective and preventative health properties[/caption] 4. Lowers your diabetes risk. Air-popped popcorn is a whole grain, whose properties are hugely beneficial for human health. It’s thought that eating whole grains is one of the ways we can reduce our risk of developing type 2 diabetes – particularly in later life. Popcorn may also help to regulate blood sugar levels, thanks to its low glycemic index (GI). 5. Protects against free radicals. Popcorn is rich in phenolic acids, whose antioxidant properties can counteract free radicals, which damage healthy cells and DNA. 6. An excellent source of nutrition. Air-popped popcorn contains lots of different vitamins and minerals to support overall health and nutrition. These include vitamins A, B6, E and K, as well as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), thiamine, niacin, folate and riboflavin. Ultimately, these can help keep your bodily functions in tip-top condition! 7. Can support weight management. Finally, popcorn has often been dubbed the number one snack for weight loss thanks to its high fiber and low calorie count. There’s even an official Popcorn Diet. But while we wouldn’t advocate sticking to anything less than a healthy, balanced diet, popcorn may help weight management if you substitute higher calorie snacks such as nuts and crisps for the plain, air-popped variety. [caption id="attachment_2176" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]Air-popped popcorn is an excellent snack if you are keeping an eye on your blood pressure[/caption]5 pizza waffles recipes your family and customers will love
Waffles don't always need to be sweet, they can be savory too! And we're fully embracing the yummy, new pizza waffles trend here at Sephra!
Belgian vs Bubble Waffles - What's the difference?
[caption id="attachment_2071" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]Waffles have never been so popular this side of the continent![/caption]
Sephra chocolate - a brief history
[caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]All good chocolate starts with great cocoa beans![/caption]
Choosing the right Commercial Chocolate Fountain for your business
Years of research have gone into perfecting Sephra's Commercial Chocolate Fountains.
Sephra Melts - the perfect compound coating for confectionery
What Are Sephra Melts?
Sephra Chocolate Flavored Melts are made of similar ingredients as our other chocolates (Belgian and Premium), but are considered a ‘compound coating’ rather than chocolate. Compound coating contains greater than 5% vegetable fat substituted for the traditional cocoa butter found in chocolate. They are also are made with cocoa powder instead of chocolate liquor. Confectioners often prefer compound coating because it's very economical and doesn't need tempering or added oil. Sephra Melts stand head and shoulders above other compound coatings in one other very important area – taste! Our new and improved Melts actually taste GOOD! Many others have been likened to eating a tasteless waxy substance. Probably not what you're looking for.So versatile!
Melts can be used much the same as our chocolate products but with more versatility. They melt quickly, so are a favorite for candy making, confection dipping (such as chocolate dipped strawberries). Of course, they also flow through our chocolate fountains as fondue. Melts are available in three flavors: Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate. All three flow beautifully through chocolate fountains and harden quickly with a smooth, glossy finish.Which is the right Home Chocolate Fountain for you?
Congratulations! You've decided to invest in a home chocolate fountain! You're going to have lots of fun. That's the easy part, however. Choosing the right fountain might seem slightly trickier – simply because there are three great options to choose from. Select, Classic or Elite – which is the best one for you?
How to clean a Sephra Home Chocolate Fountain
Top tips for cleaning your home chocolate fountain
All our home chocolate fountains are stainless steel, with a plastic tier set. The auger, cylinder, tiers and crown are all dishwasher-safe. However, it's generally best to handwash them in hot, soapy water to maintain their pristine appearance and help them last longer. The parts will become more susceptible to cracking over time if they are frequently washed in the dishwasher. Try not to let the chocolate harden in the fountain before cleaning. It will be much easier if you just scoop and wipe out the molten chocolate. But please never pour chocolate down the sink! The basin should be wiped clean but never submerge in water. Don't get water inside the base unit, or it will damage the heating element. Allow the fountain to dry completely before storing it away in the box.Cleaning the Sephra Select
Cleaning the Sephra Classic
Cleaning the Sephra Elite
Check out our YouTube channel for more how-to videos.5 Belgian waffle recipes worth falling for this Autumn
Fall is all about comforting Maple, pumpkin and nutty flavors. That's why Maple & Pecan Belgian Waffles are one of our seasonal favorites! First of all, you need to toast your pecans in preparation. Then add roughly 1¼ cup of the pecans and 1½ – 2 tbsps of Maple extract to Sephra's Belgian Waffle batter. Bake in your Waffle Baker and top with a smear of soft butter and a drizzle of warm Maple Syrup.
Bubble Waffle Trend - New Twist on Yummy Dessert Waffles
The Bubble Waffle – a curious new food trend. I was intrigued by the name, so, of course, I Googled it. Impressive how many creative ways to serve a bubble waffle popped up. The Bubble Waffle is the #1 street food in Hong Kong, where they originated. New to the American market, the bubble waffle is quickly becoming one of the most popular new dessert waffles. Here's where you come in...
How to temper chocolate
Need to temper chocolate? Help is at hand! Believe it or not, the fear of tempering chocolate is quite common. But it can actually be fun. I always thought tempering chocolate would be a daunting task – and really tried to avoid it. Recently I saw a segment on the Food Network on how to temper chocolate. Now, I’m all in to tempering! It's actually fun! There are so many recipes which really rise to the next level, simply by using a good quality chocolate and tempering it. I’ve been a home cook and part time caterer for years, so I found many of The Food Network shows fun to watch and also got many good recipe ideas. Alton Brown has always been the most interesting, because he gave scientific facts about the food you cook and eat... and what actually happens, scientifically, to the food during preparation. Over the years, Alton has played many a roll on the Food Network, but his “Good Eats” show has remained popular and entertaining, as well as informative, to this day. Who knows how many years it’s been on, and yes, how many reruns we’ve endured, but, he’s given us many interesting and important scientific facts about the food we eat. Alton has several interesting “side-kicks” on his show. One he refers to as “W” is a well versed but impatient kitchen store employee who finds Alton totally exasperating because he searches for kitchen implements which are (as he put it) “multi-taskers”. In other words, he wants a pot or pan which will have more than one use in the kitchen! The other side-kick, known as “Shirley” is an actual food scientist who explains reasons for the action and re-action you get when you mix ingredients or substances. I happened to be watching a “Good Eats” show recently and the subject “WHY TEMPER CHOCOLATE?” came up. It was Shirley’s job to explain exactly what happens when you temper chocolate and why it has to be done a certain way and maintain an exact temperature to be successful. I thought it would be interesting to pass this along to you and hopefully you’ll find it both interesting and helpful the next time you're working with chocolate.
How to start your own gourmet dessert business
“Be your own boss”. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Nobody to answer to, no time clock to punch, no co-workers to get on your nerves, you call the shots. Many good reasons to be your own boss. Just one big reason why most people can’t pull it off - and that reason is M O N E Y.
What It Takes to Start a Small Business
Typically, it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to start your own business. Investment capital is what it’s called and most of us don’t have it. For a Start Up to be a success you need first, last and deposit money to rent a store front. There’s the cost of proper equipment, ready cash to be able to pay staff or employees, as well as pay the government demands of social security, insurance, Medicare and other necessary benefits. So, the reality is, it can be a daunting process to start your own business and be your own boss.Sephra Has Some Great Small Business Ideas
So, the reality is, it can be a daunting process to start your own business and be your own boss. Unless… Unless you take advantage of some of the new business ideas created by the Sephra team - just for people like you. Great small business ideas, which would be amazing for a successful startup. They've come up with some great ways to start a small business and grow it into a full-time operation. Let me share some ideas and opportunities Sephra has to start your own business or add to your existing catering business, café or coffee shop.New Business Ideas – Make Money with a Simple Waffle Maker
Creative catering is all about coming up with the latest WOW factor. Something new that wondering, hungry people haven’t tried – or even seen before. Waffle – mania is a super big deal these days. Sephra has three waffle makers which, by themselves, or combined together can bring in the big bucks. Throw in to the mix our Sephra Crepe Maker by Krampouz and you're in business. Your investment will be nominal compared to store fronts or retail shops, and the rewards can grow beyond your wildest dreams.Bubble Waffle Please
Sephra now carries a crazy cool bubble waffle maker. This thing makes waffles with bubble puffs all over the waffle. I love it! The bubble waffle plates can be used on your Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker, too – so two types of waffles can be created for the price of one baker. Bubble Waffles can be twisted into a cone shape and served with ice cream inside. These tasty treats look so delicious and are easily be added to the menu of an ice cream shop. Fashion as crepes and serve with fruit; or just serve as a traditional flat waffle, only with cute puffs all over them. Top with syrup, drizzled chocolate, caramel, jam or fruit. I have heard of them being referred to as “Puffles”. LOL You can think of crazy cute names for these newfangled treats and make a ton of money on them. Combine your Bubble Waffle Biz with the traditional Belgian Waffles - with various toppings and go for it. As I said the waffle plates are interchangeable - so there are virtually endless varieties of waffle goodness to be created here.French Crepes are Big Business
I remember visiting Paris about 8 years ago. The street of Paris are lined with crepe shops. Choices range from delicious sweet crepes filled with melted chocolate and bananas; to savory crepes with ham and cheese… one of my favorites. French crepes have been a big business for a while in Europe and now crepe shops, booths and crepe stations are popping up all over the United States. Crepes are so versatile – there are endless recipes for crepes, the fillings can include fruit, chocolate, Nutella, ice cream, whipped cream. You name name it – you can stick it in a crepe and it will taste scrumptious!Sephra’s Commerical Crepe Maker
Another element to add to your current food service / catering business or an opportunity for a startup – Sephra’s creating catering team has you covered. The Commercial Crepe Maker is one of the finest crepe makers you can buy. It’s fantastic – so easy to use. Just swirl the batter, spin, flip and serve. All of the tools you’ll need to become a professional crepe maker overnight are on our site.Gourmet Crepe Mix – Just Add Water!
Not to mention, the really good news, the Sephra Gourmet Crepe Mix! Just add water and you have a delicious crepe batter – ends up costing you .40 a crepe. Yup. So crepes are a big money making deal! Whatever direction you decide to take when starting a small business, we’ve got you covered. If your ‘waffling’ (sorry, couldn’t pass it up) be sure to give us a call. Our customer care team can help you pull your small business ideas and dreams into, well, a small business! Be sure to check us out on social media to see what we’re up to! Best of luck and you CAN do this!Catering Business Ideas - Waffles Are Trending
Waffles are an anytime food. We’ve enjoyed waffles for dinner; waffles for breakfast and of course, waffles for brunch is a ‘natural’. We’ve also had over-baked waffles, under-baked waffles and varying colors of the finished product…light, blond & gooey to dark, burned manhole covers. My husband’s first girl-friend made him waffles and his assessment was; “burned manhole covers”, very descriptive, right?
Making Waffles the Easy Way
Waffles are a very simple food and if made correctly, on a professional Belgian Waffle Maker, can be just sublime. Sephra is proud to introduce our newest products; the Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker and Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter. This Waffle Maker takes the guess work out of “when the steaming stops” or, “when the light goes off”. The Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker has an Automatic Timer and Thermostat with an Audible Alarm, which tells you when your waffle is baked to golden brown perfection. Two minutes, to be exact. So, it quick, easy and precise. No guess work here. Because it rotates, it spreads the batter evenly and bakes the waffle batter completely on both sides to create a crispy, delicate yet tender waffle. The treated Waffle Maker plates are non-stick, so the perfectly cooked waffle releases from the plates easily.Serve Waffles at Any Catering Event
The Sephra Waffle Maker is super simple to use. No training is needed, so you can introduce your Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker to any element of your existing business. Or, why not start a NEW business? Picture a cozy, little waffle shop that might be just the innovative boost your neighborhood needs to become the next “Cheers”…without the alcohol. “Everybody knows your name” and it becomes the place to “hang out”.Waffle Menu for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Serve Sephra Belgian Waffles with eggs, sausages and bacon for your breakfast menu. How about fruit toppings for lunch? I’ve never met a strawberry waffle I didn’t love! Chicken and waffles are becoming BIG business these day, so you’ve got dinner covered. Fun ideas to dream about. Be your own boss; wouldn’t that be heaven? There are many avenues to take with the Sephra Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker. If you already own a café or restaurant, the addition of a Waffle Maker will increase your profits by leaps and bounds. The turn-around time in producing a crispy golden waffle is only 2 minutes, so you won’t have customers twiddling their thumbs while waiting for their meal. As we mentioned above, there are so many options available you won’t have trouble creating a variety of favorites for your customers, either.Waffle Fridays for Your Business Staff
Hey bosses and managers… at Sephra we have “Waffle Friday”. The employees really look forward to each Friday (not just because it’s “the weekend”,) but they really do love the Waffle experience. We whip up a batch of Waffle Batter, turn on the Belgian Waffle Maker and let them do their own thing. Nothing to worry about… no time wasted and when it’s their lunch or break time, everyone can make their own creation. A bottle of syrup and a tub of butter or margarine and you’re set! It’s things like this that create a cohesive group of employees. Go the extra mile to show your appreciation for their hard work.Waffle Carts are Money Makers on Wheels
Grab a booth at your local Farmer’s Market or Swap Meet. Your speedy Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker will impress with perfect results every time. Our Waffle Batter is so easy to make, you can whip up a batch in a hurry and turn out crispy waffles for people to munch as they browse the aisles shopping for bargains or have a can of Redi-whip and some fruit in season available and you’ve got a lovely brunch treat. Probably can sell the Waffles for $3 or $4 and they’ll cost you pennies to make.Fast, Easy and Delicious Waffle Batter in Seconds
Let’s talk about the Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter. This Waffle Batter is flat out delicious! It’s not cloying, as so many batter mixes are, but has a crisp, yet tender, texture and flavor that’ll make you think you’re walking the streets of Brussels, Belgium. The wonderful part of our Waffle Batter is the ease of mixing. Measure the desired amount of Waffle Batter into a mixing bowl, add water (yes…that’s all, just water) and mix with a whisk until smooth. You don’t even need an electric mixer. Ladle the proper amount of Waffle Batter (if it’s a self-serve buffet, furnish a measure so the guests won’t over fill) onto the Waffle Maker and rotate…2 minutes later they will have a gorgeous, golden, tender & luscious waffle. Meanwhile…the aroma of cooking the Belgian Waffles will fill the room and everyone will want to get in on the act! Hurry! Don’t delay. The Sephra Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker and the Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter Mix is in stock and ready to help you increase your profits for 2017! Make a small investment in a BIG future for your business today. Remember, what you purchase this year is deductible…right? Talk to you soon, ShirlIntroducing the new Sephra Belgian Waffle Baker
The New Sephra Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker is here! Not to mention one of the most outstanding waffle batter recipes I have ever tasted! The Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter Mix comes in 5 and 30 lb bags. So easy to make - just add water!
How to assemble your home chocolate fountain
[caption id="attachment_2330" align="aligncenter" width="2000"]
The Sephra Select Home Chocolate Fountain is perfect for small gatherings[/caption] Need help to assemble your home chocolate fountain? No problem! Check out our handy guide below. The video below demonstrates how to assemble our Select Home Chocolate Fountain and fountain delicious caramel fondue for your guests. It's rather dated but the assembly is still the same!How to assemble your Select Home Chocolate Fountain
Putting Sephra's Select Home Chocolate Fountain together couldn't be easier and should only take around two minutes. We'll add some liquid caramel fondue and, as always, recommend using the special wooden fork-type skewers. This prevents spinning and lost fruit in the fountain basin. As you can imagine, it's pretty amazing! All that rich, buttery caramel cascading over the tiers of the fountain. Yum! Basically, you just put the tier set on, add the fondue and turn it on!Step-by-step assembly
[caption id="attachment_2331" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]The Select is Sephra's smallest fountain, standing at 16" tall [/caption] It really is as easy as 1,2, 3. Here's our guide broken down with specific steps for if you're a first timer! 1. Place your fountain base in the perfect place for dipping, as well as being able to plug it in. Remember your home chocolate fountain needs power! 2. Plug it in and turn on the "Heat" setting to get the basin warmed up. 3. Next you'll add part of the tier set. Slide the bottom cylinder into place over the three pegs in the basin. 4. Then add the top half of the cylinder. There's a little groove in the top half of the cylinder to slip it onto the lower section. 5. Drop in the auger and make sure it is seated properly (over the center assembly) so it won’t twist or turn. (This will make sure it doesn't spin as it needs to when turned on.) 6. Now you can add the fondue – just before you put the tiers on. It's just easier to pour the fondue into the fountain before seating the tiers. 7. Next, seat the tiers. Slide the larger bottom tier over the cylinder followed by the smaller tier. They will just "sit" right where they are supposed to! Boom. Top with the crown and you’re set. 8. Make sure the fountain is level. The fountain has adjustable feet which twist up and down to assure you get it level. You can use a small level from Home Depot or Lowes or just eye ball it once the fondue it on. (The levels are only $3 or $4 dollars and will make your job more “professional”.) Place the carpenters level on top of the crown and adjust the feet so that the bubble in the level is in the middle. 9. Turn on the fountain and let's get dipping!About the Sephra Select Home Fondue Fountain
The Sephra Select is the smallest home fondue fountain standing about 16" high. It's perfect for small gatherings and groups of up to about 25 people. And, of course, there's plenty of fun to be had for the family too! The fountain can hold up to 6lbs. of fondue, but runs well on 4lbs. You can always add more fondue as you go – which is super simple to do.So many fondue recipes!
[caption id="attachment_2297" align="aligncenter" width="1773"]Home chocolate fountains are so much fun! [/caption] The fondue options are limitless! You can serve your family something different every week there is such a great variety. Chocolate is – and will continue to be – the most popular! Milk, Dark or White, Salted Caramel or Ruby... they are all delicious. You can even color the White Chocolate to match the decor of your event. Holidays, wedding and baby showers, kids favorite colors for birthdays – it's so much fun! The Select also flows well using caramel, liquid peanut butters, Ranch Dressing, BBQ sauce, cheese fondue, and Maple syrup!Fresh Strawberry Muffins with Chocolate Chips
I was in the mood to bake muffins today and went to my cupboard looking for the usual muffin recipe ingredients. Found nothin'! No blueberries or apples. Not even a can of pumpkin - which makes sense. It is March. I did find some fresh strawberries, though. Having never made muffins with fresh strawberries I was a little hesitant, but these turned out great. The other key ingredient, which I always have on hand is a bag of Sephra Dark Chocolate Chips. I never buy store bought chocolate chips - ever. Sephra chocolate is so superior, taste wise, creamy wise and also has so many uses you can't do with regular store bought chocolate chips. So I was set and ready to give these a try. They are a nice moist muffin with a Springtime twist. The chocolate stays melty inside the muffins giving them a bit of dark chocolate in every bite. And as we know - dark chocolate is actually good for you, so I try to use them whenever possible!