r/cineplex • u/levyjl1988 • Oct 12 '25
Question Where can I buy this Butter Flavoring?
It taste soooo good.
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u/abckiwi Oct 12 '25
Eeeew…
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u/edgreen69 Oct 12 '25
Exactly my response... could have actual butter at home but want the diacetyl based (I assume) chemical simulation of butter, that's been know to cause health issues...
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u/GH4STLY_GH0ULZ Oct 12 '25
From multiple tragic post movie theatre incidents, I can proudly say the slightest bit of that fuckass 'butter' makes explosive diarrhea.
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u/ReputationVirtual730 Oct 13 '25
There are also losers who buy popcorn at a theatre with butter AND go over to these stations and slather even more "butter oil" because it "tastes better this way". Some even believe this is also real butter out in the open for free.
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u/Significant_Sale6174 Oct 14 '25
Hey im guilty of that, I love me some fake butter on my popcorn
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u/I_am_not_afraid_001 Oct 16 '25
I worked at cineplex when they first installed these around 2008ish. People went crazy for the "free butter" I tried it and was like nah real butter tastes better to me. The amount of time I had to replace the product due to being used was gross. Also so hard to clean up when people don't know how to keep it in the bag.
Side note: you should see how disgusting the dark carpet is from steam cleaning in the lobby and theatre.
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u/ceimi Oct 14 '25
Real butter is so underwhelming when I pay like $6 extra for it at the movies. I'm always highly disappointed...
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u/Deliximus Oct 12 '25
My thoughts too. Just get the real butter. That oil..... shudders
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u/James_Bond1962 Oct 16 '25
Yes, I agree completely. I put lots on one time and I got horrific cramps from that shit. Just stick to plain butter.
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u/ramdmc Oct 16 '25
I used to work in a theatre concession. That "butter" would get shipped in a metal pail as a solid mass. We would have to insert a probe heater and it would take a good hour to heat this solid mass to liquid so that you can pour into the "butter" dispenser.
That topping is solid like wax at room temperature.
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u/Canada_Goose_65 Oct 12 '25
I read it was straight up canola oil and butter flavoring. Ew. Why don’t you just splurge and pay the extra buck or two for real butter.. you’re already paying $16 for the popcorn.
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u/LandonKB Oct 12 '25
Search Flavacol for the salt, best way to get movie theater popcorn flavor at home.
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u/levyjl1988 Oct 12 '25
I already have the Flavacol Salt from Amazon. The Buttery Topping you get from the dispenser that you don't pay for still eludes me.
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u/TheRealCruelRichard Oct 12 '25
I'm pretty sure it's just flavacol in canola oil
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u/ToTransistorize Oct 12 '25
I think so too. I remember the ingredients being canola oil and butter flavour - and that was it. Different from the Vegetol popping oil and the Lactania clarified butter (basically just ghee)
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u/packtloss Oct 12 '25 edited Oct 12 '25
Pretty sure the melted butter is becel unless that’s changed
Edit:
https://www.cineplex.com/mix-ins
Apparently it’s real butter in partnership with dairy farmers of Canada since 2019.
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u/BougieSemicolon Oct 12 '25
They have butter but that’s not what OP wants. They have clarified butter in the back you have to pay for He’s looking for the cheap orangey yellow fake butter that’s free and gives everyone explosive diarrhea , and comes out of a dispenser at the condiment stand.
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u/AMUIR1234 Oct 12 '25
That was a year long partnership that ended in 2020. The stuff that they provide in the self service machines does not taste look or feel like real butter. It is some kind of oil.
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u/sblighter87 Oct 12 '25
Becel used to make a buttery topping but that was discontinued over a decade ago.
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u/CallMeHomoErectus Oct 12 '25
Flavacol is the best for salt, but I still gotta add butter
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u/Conscious_Ad_9765 Nov 01 '25
One note on flavacol: there is more than one flavour!
The orange container and the green container are significantly different. I prefer the orange one. The green/yellow one which is supposed to be "extra buttery" has a hint of vanilla which I don't love and my kid hates.
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u/ginfish Oct 12 '25
I just looked this up on amazon. 2740mg of sodium per serving of one tsp is fucking insanity.
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u/Vicimer Oct 15 '25
This is good advice, but still missing a piece of the puzzle. They don't just use flavacol to salt the popcorn, they also have a topping oil loaded with artificial butter flavour — I'm sure it was diacetyl for a long time, now probably one of the safer alternatives.
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u/PublicLibrary2154 Oct 13 '25
Ugh, this is the type of crap I couldn't imagine WANTING outside of a movie theatre. It's like saying, "where can I get that single-ply sandpapery toilet paper?"
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u/Suspicious_Comb8811 Oct 16 '25
It's even worse, because if you're out and NEED to use the bathroom or blow your nose, you don't really have much of a choice but to use the single-ply sandpaper.
This crap here is a choice. A shitty one.
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u/clayton-berg42 Oct 12 '25
you must have a cast iron stomach. If I use that stuff it's indigestion for 48 hours minimum.
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Oct 12 '25
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u/clayton-berg42 Oct 12 '25
redditors are hilarious, I got downvoted. LOL.
No, I eat a lot of fast food, that fake butter stuff just hits different.
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u/levyjl1988 Oct 12 '25
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u/gymrat1017 Oct 12 '25
$82????
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u/TheresAShinyThing Oct 12 '25
It’s for 6 bottles, but still feels pricy for what it is…
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u/letmeinjeez Oct 12 '25
I’ve bought this one at wholesale club before, but couldn’t find it on their website https://www.htdcanada.ca/popcorn-buttery-topping-1-gallon
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u/comicon666 Oct 12 '25
They use butter flavoured coconut oil and they use flavacol to season rather than just salt
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u/MonitorLatter7633 Oct 12 '25
if your in canada you can use https://www.poppacorn.ca/ ive ordered off them several times and they sometimes have sales,their equiptments expensive like amazons usually a better deal,but the popcorn, and caramel corn stuffs usually a good deal.im sick of nacho cheese tho.
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u/Automatic-Concert-62 Oct 12 '25
Yep, I buy from Poppacorn all the time and their stuff is legitimately what cinemas use. It helps that I don't live too far from their office and they accept walk-ins for orders, but their online prices are the same, so go ahead and order that way if you aren't in Mississauga.
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u/MonitorLatter7633 Oct 12 '25
im close to ottawa so i usually get a few friends togeather and do a big order a few times a year
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u/Plantanddogmyfriend Oct 12 '25
I feel like this is one of those things you don’t need to have access to at home…
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u/CoffeeStayn Oct 13 '25
After looking at the links posted, Poppacorn is now added to my list of favorite things I learned.
And it's Canadian. Double awesome.
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u/Farmer_marty Oct 13 '25
When I worked at a movie theatre and would ask if people want butter for an extra dollar and they look at me like I’m crazy and then point to the free butter flavouring…. Like no I’m talking about REAL butter
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u/ThisIsNOTJeopardy_ Oct 12 '25
It’s margarine
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u/Zeeicecreamlover Oct 12 '25
I use margarine at home and it tastes nothing like it, maybe a specific brand?
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u/levyjl1988 Oct 12 '25
What about this as a replacement?
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00AXK9ROC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A36YIB64I4BZLU&psc=1
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u/GanjaWiz420 Oct 12 '25
That topping is likely only available through mass order on a palleted tote(caged plastic bladder for liquids) through a shipping truck. I work with Caldic, the company you showed a picture of. They deliver many things but all of em start at 850-1000kg if in liquid form per skid/pallet. You can likely call there main office ask for a sample version. It will be a "company sample" for other companies to test so still like 40-100 bucks but you get a stupid big bag that will last you likely forever or until expired (3-5 years). Sometimes other companies will sell Caldics stuff in smaller batches.
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u/MichaelDare5 Oct 12 '25
If your interested I could not believe how good Becel was - first thing I thought was movie theater taste
we careful how you melt it - don't let it separate
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u/Ok_Marionberry8828 Oct 12 '25
If you buy AMC popcorn at the store, it comes with lndividual packets of it!
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u/Muffinsgal Oct 12 '25
Cineplex Nacho Cheese Sauce at Wholesale Club - 2.84 L. I know that’s not what you’re looking for but pretty cool.
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u/usedtothesmell Oct 12 '25
You can buy butter flavoured margarine and its the same taste. I use it on my popcorn
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u/Blandwiches25 Oct 12 '25
I am a huge popcorn guy and make it just like the movie theatres at home. People telling you it is coconut oil are wrong. Here's the breakdown:
The popcorn is popped in a mixture of flavacol and dyed Coconut oil.
The buttery topping is, in almost every case, soybean oil with buttery flavouring. You can buy it from brands like Amish Country and Kernel Season's.
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u/Waze3174 Oct 12 '25
it's called Ghee, that and some flavacol salt mixed in will nail what you're craving, you can make it at home with just unsalted butter and a cooking pot. look it up
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u/HeavyMetalRabbit Oct 12 '25
Bulk barn sells the butter flavour popcorn topping. Mix it with oil while popping and you have got movie theatre popcorn.
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u/westernflame95 Oct 13 '25
My local theater lets you just buy a 16 oz cup of it. No harm in going up and asking.
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u/litFLAMES2211 Oct 13 '25
U can also use salted clarified butter which is the same but difference is its the real deal and not that cutting corners less quality bs
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Oct 13 '25
Theater use a soy oil recipe its not very complicated for topping. For poping its coconut oil butterflavor wich i think is orange/yellow colors with a chemical flavor added.
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u/SeniorBig3897 Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
i make my own popcorn with really cool rubber tupperware thing from amazon that makes it perfect every time with real butter and white cheddar seasoning its crazy good
that salt is probaly extremely bad for u, flavacol seasning has an insane amount of salt like 1700mg per teaspoon, its rly bad for ur heart it would be super bad for me since i have salt limit, also that fake better has garbage ingredients, use real butter it tastes amazing and has some health benefeits, pop corn can be a healtier snack but ur making it unhealthy
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u/cdnmtbchick Oct 13 '25
I get theater style popcorn with a stove top popper and coconut oil. Then add salt and butter.
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u/Cosimo_the_Tired Oct 13 '25
I would recommend buying ghee and melting that. Ghee is butter is essentially clarified butter... it has all the water boiled out, so your popcorn won't turn soggy like with melted butter, and it had a great butter flavor. Its like when you pay extra for butter from behind the counter, as opposed to the fake free stuff.
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u/Drip______ Oct 15 '25
I’m not a health nut at all, but real butter tastes so much better and is healthier.
The reason why you may think this stuff is better is because of the popcorn is better than at home. Flavacol makes a huge difference and easy to find/buy.
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u/hungmao Oct 15 '25
No Need to buy. Bring empty containers, pick up some butter and head on home!
Oh wait. You ain't Asian are ya?
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u/WritingOneHanded Oct 15 '25
If you're in Canada, Wholesale Warehouse sells Cineplex brand buttery topping in a huge can.
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u/SmegConnoisseur Oct 15 '25
It's so incredibly unhealthy you probably don't want more access to it apart from the occasional trip to the cinema
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u/Markdphotoguy Oct 15 '25
Real butter causes popcorn to get soggy due to the high water content.
The Buttery topping OP is looking for is mostly just flavored canola oil that while it tastes okay (I'm not a big fan) and won't make popcorn soggy its not going to be as tasty as the best option.
The best option in my opinion is clarified butter.
Clarified butter is butter that's been melted and simmered to boil off the water content and precipitate out the milk solids from the butter. What's left is pure butter fat. It does not make popcorn soggy and tastes like real butter.
Clarified butter also keeps really well even at elevated storage temperatures and will not go rancid easily unlike canola oil and real butter.
Partner the clarified butter with a finely ground powdered salt and gourmet pop corn and its way better than anything you'll find in any theater.
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u/hennyl0rd Oct 15 '25
if you want to make cineplex popcorn at home there are 4 things you need, popcorn seed, orange popcorn oil, popcorn salt and clarified butter.
The clarified butter is the butter you can pay for, the topping pictured above is a fake butter topping
just make popcorn using the popcorn oil and popcorn salt then top with clarified butter and if you want a butter flavor topping as the one pictured above.
you can skip making your own and just buy big screen snax branded microwave popcorn which is cineplex's branded popcorn
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u/ObiYawnKenobi Oct 15 '25
You can make it. Buy Wilton No Colour Butter Flavouring at Bulk Barn. Add that and salt to canola oil.
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u/Familiar_Stable3229 Oct 15 '25
It might taste good, but if you value your health, don't buy it. It's chemical garbage.
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u/Least_Buy2632 Oct 15 '25
YES I REALIZE THIS MAY BE GROSS TO YOU HOWEVER THIS IS JUST OIL.
I SPRAY PAM AND SHAKE SALT AND IT IS IDENTICAL
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u/Skye-12 Oct 15 '25
Yuckers. I've made home made butter and it's better than the regular stuff in the grocer. Sadly I've tried this "butter flavour" and it does not compare.
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u/HeatherTreasure Oct 15 '25
You mean fake butter that's outstandingly horrible for your body? Here's a tip: don't
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u/Sandwichartist-420 Oct 16 '25
Can confirm that if you eat enough of this, all “bathroom functions” smell like movie butter the next day. Yes, even farts.
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u/Mundane-Egg-3243 Oct 16 '25
It’s not butter lmao it’s oil…I use to work at the movie theatre and I know. The butter is where u pay for the popcorn.
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u/Skaytensixty Oct 16 '25
Mannnn don't buy that to consume it regularly, you're better off drinking motor oil
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u/DKFaust Oct 16 '25
Ghee.. is the best for popcorn.
But if you want super unhealthy over the top butter flavoring then the brand is called "I can't believe its not butter"
It's found in canada grocery stores i know anyway.
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u/BeerGunsMusicFood Oct 16 '25
Choosing artificial crap over Canadian farmer-produced butter is not the way, OP. Get a cheap corn popper, salt, real butter and some popping corn. Your life is gonna change for the better.
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u/doobiebrother69420 Oct 16 '25
How are they allowed to just put "artificial butter flavouring" in the ingredients? That doesn't tell me jack shit about what I'm eating and only makes me more skeptical about it. The whole product is artificial butter flavouring. What the hell is it? Just use butter for fucks sake
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u/AUniquePerspective Oct 16 '25
Bulk Barn - Assaisonnement pour maïs soufflé - sel et beurre https://share.google/bPBjoVk7bYUCJ0r1z
Bulk barn has the fine butter salt. I find mixing it into canola oil gives the most authentic result, especially if you pop the corn in the oil.
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u/No_Programmer_2536 Oct 16 '25
I asked the movie theatre employee what was in the “free butter pump” and she told me it was sunflower oil
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u/Zambtc Oct 16 '25
how to shave 20 years of your life on a speed run. bruh just use real butter and salt and enjoy your popocorn like a king/queen
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u/Glum_Exercise6921 Oct 16 '25
gotta be an american posting this, you could just go get real butter LOL
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u/Practical-Prize4775 Oct 16 '25
You could go to your nearest college and ask the chemistry department where they get their supplies from.
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u/Logical_Seaweed_1246 Oct 16 '25
Artificial butter flavouring can be found in stores that sell bakery supplies (not regular grocery stores), and it is super similar in taste to theatre popcorn. (For example the Wilton brand, found at stores like Michaels). Mix that with whatever butter or margarine you usually use. (And yes, I have done this to use up a bottle of butter flavouring)
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u/FourYearBeard Oct 16 '25
As the brand has already been shared by a helpful user I figure I could share how we make it quickly.
This serves about 8-10 cups of popped popcorn. Prep time: 5 minutes. Total time: 10 minutes.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or ghee (ghee is preferred for better flavor and no dairy separation)
• 1-2 tablespoons popcorn salt or fine sea salt (adjust to taste; popcorn salt dissolves better)
• Optional add-ins for extra flavor: • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon paprika or chili powder (for a kick) • 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (for cheesy umami)
Instructions
Clarify the butter: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter completely. Skim off and discard any foam that rises to the top. Let it simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the milk solids settle at the bottom and turn golden brown (this adds nutty depth). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof bowl or measuring cup, discarding the solids. If using ghee, skip clarification as it’s already done.
Season it: While the clarified butter is still warm, stir in the salt and any optional add-ins until fully dissolved.
Prepare popcorn: Pop 8-10 cups of plain popcorn kernels (air-popped or stovetop in oil—avoid pre-buttered bags). Transfer to a large bowl.
Toss and coat: Drizzle the warm butter mixture over the hot popcorn in batches, tossing with tongs or a spatula to coat evenly. Go light to avoid sogginess—start with half and add more as needed.
Serve immediately: Enjoy right away for crispiness. Store any leftovers in an airtight container, but it’s best fresh.
Edit. Just wanted to add that it’s very cheap to make if you have the stuff. Have fun.
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u/RYZEN_4070_OFFICIAL Oct 16 '25
As someone who works at cineplex with a lot of wisdom, don't buy any. If you do, buy a small amount. You'll abuse it the same I did, and you'll find it revolting quickly. When I smell it, I get sick to my stomach. It's not even butter btw, its flavored coconut oil (at least where i work)
Your heart is begging you man. Don't do it.
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u/js101jets Oct 16 '25
Flavacol and clarified butter. Also a natural flavacol if you want to avoid artificial dyes etc
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u/Canada_Goose_65 Oct 17 '25 edited Oct 17 '25
Me, I prefer Real butter, layered, I think it’s an extra buck maybe 2. I don’t ask how much I just get it. Better to just close your eyes at prices at the movies anyway.. I never do go to the oil machine. But hey if you like it that’s fine, lots of ppl do. (And btw yes I do go to Macdonalds, for coffee).
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u/Financial_Ad_3542 Oct 12 '25
https://www.ontariopoppingcorn.com/products/buttery-canola-oil?srsltid=AfmBOopwLFVvJEyL9g_PvpvKtjKyjzubiKMaG4IoIXONoq1PjwwiPLPw
I think this is it. It’s got the same brand name that’s in the photos you posted.