Photo courtesy of http://pipsnacks.com

Ever since news broke a few months ago that popcorn has more antioxidants and body-good benefits than some fruits and vegetables, I’ve been munching on it as a substitute for my mid-afternoon pretzel snack. So when I discovered Pipcorn in its adorable rustic packaging at Smorgasburg— which is an onomatopoeic way of saying a giant food market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—kernels of happiness teared up in my eyes.

So what exactly is Pipcorn? Basically, it’s mini-popcorn supercharged with flavor and a very delicate hull (translation: no more awkward popcorn hunks in your teeth). It’s also vegan, gluten-free, popped in extra virgin olive oil and easier to digest than typical popcorn. But most importantly, after you chomp down on Rosemary Pipcorn or one of their specialty flavors like Lemon Pesto, that alluring bag of White Cheddar Popcorn? Pffft, Smartfood, seduce me no more!

Buy Pipcorn here. The crate (pictured above) makes the perfect holiday gift.

P.S. When I saw this nifty product featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things 2012, my mid-afternoon snack choice du jour somehow felt even more validated.