We recently spent a day walking around Peddler’s Village in Lahaska PA. It’s a fun place to go and spend some time shopping, having a nice meal, or attending one of their many fun seasonal events. We used to like going a couple of times a year, but as we entered the world of baseball, travel and rec, with Max, we haven’t had as much time to visit.
Whenever we do get to return, it’s always fun to see what has changed, and this time was no different. One of our discoveries was that the old ice cream place we used to visit had turned into something new – a gourmet popcorn shop named Clusters featuring handcrafted popcorn in many varieties.
We are a popcorn-loving family, so we were all in to give it a try! There are many options for purchasing different sizes and varieties. We found it too hard to choose just one variety, so we decided the best option for us was a 6 pack of snack sized bags. With that decision behind us, we now had to narrow it down to 6 flavors. We decided we would each choose 2 flavors – one savory, and one sweet.
With our fresh new bags of popcorn in hand, we couldn’t even wait to drive all the way home to give them a try. It was a beautiful day out, so we found an outdoor table and cracked open the bags.
First up was toasted coconut. I know that coconut is not a fan favorite flavor for everyone, but we all like it. The sweetness was just right, and while the coconut flavor was there, this one left us wanting a little bit more. It’s not that it wasn’t good, it was just a little flat, and left us all wanting that coconut flavor to come through more.
We all enjoy the various flavors of the seasons, and for Lori in particular, the flavors of fall are big, especially pumpkin. She wasn’t disappointed in her choice, and I think we all were there with her. The flavor was good, and the level of flavor was just right. She’s generally a bigger fan of sweet, while I lean more toward savory. So, was this her favorite flavor? Stay tuned… As for Max, this was his favorite in the sweet category.
Next we tried Peanut Butter Blast – with a name like that, you definitely expect the flavor to be bold! Was it? Yes! As I mentioned above, I generally go for savory over sweet, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy sweet flavors. For me, of all the sweet flavors, this was the total winner! When it comes to candy, peanut butter cups are one of my favorites, so it’s not a surprise that this was my winner in the sweet world.
Next we shifted over to our savory trio. First up was Cheesy Doodle. Sometimes it is good to try a simple favorite instead of just the fancy flavors, and cheese popcorn is one of the classics. We felt they did a good job with this one, but again, similar to the toasted coconut, we wanted more. The flavor was more evident than with the coconut, but in the end we still wished there was a bigger and sharper burst of cheese flavor.
Next up was “Just Like A Pickle,” and the name instantly makes you ask yourself one question – does it really taste just like a pickle? The answer is a resounding yes, they were absolutely spot on with this flavor! You know you’re eating popcorn, but if you take a moment to suspend that reality, you really would think you were eating a pickle. This was a crowd favorite. Remember when I asked earlier if the pumpkin was our resident fall flavor fan Lori’s favorite of the 6? The answer is a surprising no – it was the pickle… and she doesn’t even like actual pickles!
Finally, we tried Truffle Parmesan Rosemary, a flavor profile that was no doubt the most sophisticated of all of our choices. This one certainly didn’t leave you wondering what you were tasting – the flavors were bold to say the least. I was a huge fan, and Max was too – we both chose this as our savory favorite. But for Lori, perhaps in this case, the flavor was simply too intense, and she wasn’t the fan that Max and I were.
Are you are a popcorn traditionalist or a risk-taker? Our little taste test proved that gourmet popcorn is more than just a snack – debating which flavor was the best was a fun way to spend some time with the family. We may not get to Peddler’s Village as often as we used to, but discovering Clusters reminded us that there is always something new and delicious waiting around the corner if you take the time to look.
If you ever find yourself in Lahaska (or near one of their other locations), I highly recommend grabbing a variety pack of your own. Just be prepared to be surprised by what ends up being your favorite! Now that our snack-sized bags are empty, we are left with only one thought – when will we go back, and what flavors will we choose next time?
What is the most unusual popcorn flavor you have ever tried? Let me know in the comments!
Catch you at the next stop.
The Renaissance Road 