Meet the Creator of the Greenest Gourmet Popcorn You Will Ever Eat!

We are proud to announce Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn as one of our eight 2022 ChooseVeg partners! Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn is a multigenerational family business, serving up gourmet vegan popcorn in mouthwatering flavors, with an inspiring mission.

“Allow the peaks and valleys to fuel you in your journey.”

With roots in Los Angeles, California, and headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn has delighted communities coast to coast with this unique, healthy snack.

Azzizah Malik—Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn creator, CEO, and mastermind—shared her dreams and the ideas behind her brand in an exclusive interview with us.

What inspired you to bring healthy plant-based foods to your community? 

My vision is to produce an in-between-meals grub that tastes heavenly and fuels your body at the same time. Promoting a healthy lifestyle without abandoning one of America’s first and most loved treats, popcorn. 

Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn is a true family affair! Tell us about the other important team members that help create this tasty treat. 

My dream has always been establishing a multigenerational business. I’ve had my dad on board as project manager, my daughter as my assistant, my mother as accountant, and my brother as production manager. I’m really big on family success and togetherness. 

You have shared that you are “on a mission to improve the health of your customers with the power of super plants.” How has eating plant-based foods impacted your health and your family’s? 

I personally became a vegan in my early 20s (when veganism wasn’t as cool as it is today). Understanding the importance and implementing a plant-based diet has assisted me in reversing insulin resistance, weight loss, and improving my overall sense of well-being.

Your popcorn was recently included in gift baskets for Emmy nominees. Congrats! What is another big goal that you have for your brand?

I want to facilitate a community assisting people in transitioning into a healthier lifestyle by focusing on better snack options. Whatever may come from that, we’re all for it. 

What suggestions do you have for those considering plant-based eating? 

ChooseVeg says it best: “The road to a better you starts with what’s on your plate.” I believe in a full overall health approach. The change must first start by changing one’s mindset and the willingness to practice discipline. 

What is your experience with the connection between human rights and plant-based eating? 

I started Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn out of necessity while living in a food desert in Los Angeles without many healthy snack options. I believe that improving one’s health is the basic right of every human being, regardless of their financial status. We’re constantly finding ways to cut costs in an effort to sell our valuable treat at an affordable price. We also donate to charities and local food banks throughout the year. Everyone deserves and has the right to be healthy. 

Do you have any advice for other Black women entrepreneurs trying to find success? 

Black women have been the most overlooked and undermined group for so long. It’s not simple. Allow the peaks and valleys to fuel you in your journey. Establish a strong and trustworthy team that respects your visions. Don’t forget to celebrate yourself and your accomplishments even if you have to do it alone. Believe in yourself and always keep the momentum going. 

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If you thought popcorn was just for movie nights and football games, then your mind will “pop” when you try Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn! Find your favorite flavor of Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn and stay updated on their community endeavors on their Instagram. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter to discover more incredible plant-based brands! 

In 2021, our ChooseVeg Partners program spotlighted seven Black-owned businesses that are disrupting the food system, building influential brands, and producing delicious vegan foods. This year, we are featuring founders who are queer, Black, Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander to celebrate the powerful impact these communities are making for farmed animals through innovative vegan foods. Keep an eye out for “behind the brand” interviews and tasty food giveaways with our 2022 ChooseVeg partners, like Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn!