Packet #114 - Cheezy Corn Crunch - Spicy Buffalo Wings

 

Evidence shows that many years ago our ancestors used to chase down wild animals and eat them! Then we decided to stay in one spot and began farming - comfier gaffs and better food. After that… towns, villages and cities formed around farms (easier for trading) and before we knew where we were things got serious and we had magnificent empires! These days we absolutely love big economic trading blocks eg Europe buying and selling things with North America for example. 

Within all this hustle and bustle people like to travel around the world in search of economic opportunities and have a nice safe place to live. 

Some people even like to travel to Ireland in search of such opportunities and it’s within this vast mixing bowl of human life that myself and my two year old son ended up in an Asian supermarket on Moore Street looking for some unusual crisps to review. 

As we stared in wonder at the variety of crisps on display from foreign lands we plucked down a bag of Cheezy Corn Crunch - Spicy Buffalo Wings. 

The design of the bag is intriguing, who is the person on the bag? What are they looking at? Do they feel happy that they’ve eaten Cheezy Corn Crunch - Spicy Buffalo Wings? Or do they feel sad? Maybe this review will shed some light on their situation. 

Opening the bag I obviously had to have a big whiff to get an idea of what was in store. No smell. What? No smell of note. In fact the only the only smell they did have was almost… like paint? Not the most promising start I have to admit. But fearlessly I munched on. The crisps themselves look exactly like Nik Naks, small knobbly looking things. The taste is extreme. Definitely a strong chicken vibe, and not in a good way - kind of like eating a raw oxo cube and they’re spicy! A high 4/5 in the spicy levels. I’m actually not sure these crisps are any good. I’d recommend steering clear. 

Mark. 

Packet #113 - Snackrite Cheese Puffs

I’ll admit it, I’m not a Cheese expert. But I do know that it comes in four varieties. Blocks, slices, grated and melted. However, undeterred by the constraints of cheese the boffins at Snackrite have put their food science hats on their noggins, studied the complexities and nuances of Wotsits, Cheetos and Tayto’s Cheesatees and came up with “Cheese Puffs”.  

When I opened the bag I was expecting the same reassuring extreme cheese smell you get from Wotsists & co. And yet… no extreme cheese smell? 🤔

Not to worry. They look the exact same. And have the same texture. You eat them and they practically evaporate upon munch, remarkable. But I’m here for extreme cheese and I’m just not getting extreme cheese. Yeah there’s a hint, but there’s not the reassuring extremity in cheese flavour I’ve gotten used to down the years (I really like the extreme cheese flavour). 

Overall, Snackrite Cheese Puffs don’t quite hit the high taste standards set by the big players in the market which is a shame because everything else works like it should. 

Mark. 

Packet #112: Tayto Occasions Amarillo Chilli

 

A posh Crisp always promises a lot. Don't get me wrong, I have high expectations when I open any packet of Crisps. But posh Crisps promise a transformative experience. For example, these Tayto Crisps are for "Occassions" when you want to pretend to be in "Amarillo" eating "Chilli". Ooooooh.

Although I'm familiar with the song, I'm not going to pretend I didn't have to Google where Amarillo is. Did these Crisps transport me to a Texan city with a mayor called Ginger and a museum about horses? Read on to find out.

The black packaging and slightly heavier than normal foil makes these feel like a notions Crisp. And that can be a good thing, if you're in a certain mood.

Crack open the packet and you're greeted with a slightly exotic waft. Not overly chilli smelling, but definitely spiced.

Dig one of these golden discs out of the bag and you'll spot the tiny air bubbles of a well fried Crisp. A good sign for the impending texture test…

...And yes, they deliver on that front too. Very satisfyingly crunchy. Exactly what you'd expect from a posh Crisp.

Tastewise, they are quite sweet at first crunch. Even sweeter than Walker's Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli, and they have "sweet" in the name. The spiciness in this Crisp is one that is subtle at the start, but does build to quite a powerful spiciness at the end.

I don't think I felt like I was in Amarillo by the end of the bag, but then again I've never been to Texas.

Would I buy them again? I'm not so sure. I prefer a little less of a sweetness in my Crisp, if I'm being honest. But perhaps if I needed to impress a Texan, they'd be just the ticket.

Christine.

Packet #111: Manhattan Cheese & Onion

 

Crisp fans, I'm back. After taking some time off from reviewing to have severe nausea for six months and then THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY IN NORTH EAST DUBLIN, I'm back in the Crisp saddle.

And what better way to celebrate than with a classic Crisp I don't think* we've EVER reviewed. Yes, it's the cult classic Manhattan Cheese & Onion.

Now, this Crisp is traditionally found in the pub. The pub Crisp experience was sadly not available to many for so long. But now many of you are beginning to settle into pub life again, it's a great time to talk Manhattan Crisps.

First up, the packaging is ICONIC. I challenge you all to find a more stylish packet. 

Now pop open the bag and take a sniff. There is a clear potato waft and the C&O scent takes somewhat a backseat. Possibly good for a social Crisp experience?

This texture is a little thicker than the average Tayto, but not as thick as a posh Crisp, if you know what I mean. So it's got that crunch you want without disrupting nearby conversations or waking sleeping babies.

Taste-wise, it's an interesting bag. There are some Crisps that are a little light on flavour and some that are little flavour bombs. If you like the odd C&O super hit, these are for you. The seasoning itself is nicely balanced. Not overly oniony, not overly cheesey, just delicious. 

Ideal with a glass of Guinness on a Sunday evening or, as I'm currently eating them, at 9:40am while my tiny and gorgeous son is napping. 

Christine. 

*Sorry Mark and Deano if I'm wrong about this.

Packet 110: Mackie’s of Scotland Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper

Everyone’s routines are upended during this unprecedented time we find ourselves in. For example, I now only stock up on Crisps once a week instead of heading into the shop on a whim. I have to schedule my Crisping intake like never before.

That’s why I was so delighted to have been given this packet of Mackie’s of Scotland Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper Crisps by top Crisp friends Rachel and Ian.

Rachel and Ian, who are also very accomplished internet bingo players, pulled a blinder when they pulled this bag of Crisps off the shelf.

When I first saw they were a posh Crisp with the meatiest of meat flavours, I thought they’d definitely not be for me. But upon further inspection of the packet, this flavour is in fact suitable for vegetarians AND vegans. Colour me impressed.

I have little idea of what haggis is supposed to taste like, but I know I like the taste of these Crisps.

They are very peppery – spicy in a Szechuan-style way. It’s the kind of spicy sensation that keeps tingling minutes after you take your final mouthful. At the same time, they’re quite rich, sort of festive and slightly sweet.

The Crisp itself is a fairly standard structure, not too thick and certainly not too thin. Each Crisp, big or small, benefits from the evenly distributed yet bold flavour throughout.

They are a strong, bold Crisp. Not for the lighthearted. However, that’s what I look for in a Crisp. This the best new flavour I’ve had in absolutely ages.

Christine.

Packet #109: Lays Thai Taste Shrimp Tom Yum Flavour

I picked these up for day 2 of the slow boat to Luang Prabang, a 9 hour boat journey so snacks are essential.

I had seen this flavour in shops  before but I’d been burned with the very disappointing seaweed flavour I’d tried so I’d been dragging my heels and my expectations were low.

I’ve never been happier to admit I was wrong.

They were a revelation! Slowly revealing the bouquet of flavours with each delicious bite. First the prawn, then the lemongrass, then the chilli...it was all there. A crisp to be savoured rather than devoured, and packing a very pleasing punch that lingers in your mouth after you’ve finished but will linger even longer in my memory.

I’d go as far as to say that, outside of the generally acknowledged standard crisp flavours, they’re the nicest tasting crisp I’ve ever had.

I only hope they’re readily salted available throughout the rest of SE Asia. Any crisp aficionados visiting the area in the future should make this their first port of call.

Seán

Packet #108: Seabrook Lattice Cheese & Onion

I have to hand it to the innovative packaging designers at Seabrook. They’ve come up with an opening method that I have never seen in my three decades of Crips consumption.

They have bridged the gap between personal hygiene products and food items with an exciting hybrid: the Crisp packet that opens like Wet Wipes.

Wow.

What’s next? A toilet roll filled with popcorn? A toothpaste tube of peanuts? I don’t know what Seabrook has up their sleeves next, but I’m excited to find out.

When I saw this “Peel & Share” bag of Seabrook Lattice Cheese & Onion while browsing the middle aisle in Aldi, I knew I had to have it. This wouldn’t be one of those novelty middle aisle purchases that fill you with regret afterwards, would it? No. Crisps would never let me down.

With an amount of self-restraint that was as impressive as it was unexpected, I didn’t peel open the bag until the next day.

I paired this packet with a hungry husband and a slightly burnt (or “chargrilled”) wrap. I refrained from taking a bite until I was mid-way through the wrap, but my Crisp eating partner dove straight in.

Looking from afar, I could see the Crisps were indeed, lattice shaped. I think this form was achieved after mushing up a load of potatoes and reshaping them into a lattice, as opposed to some sort of careful cutting technique.

Having said that, there are some Crisps still with their skins on, which leads me to believe that I could be mistaken about the mushed up potato method...

Not all the lattices were neat and perfect – some of the Crisps looked more like a regular crinkle cut. No matter, I like a crinkle cut.

They are relatively light to the touch, and their consistency is momentarily crispy. Then they turn into the kind of mush that gets stuck in the back of your teeth.

Flavourwise, it’s all about the cheese here. Not a regular cheddar type flavour. It’s more like a synthetic cheese taste. Think Wotsit. Even after several mouthfuls, there isn’t a trace of onion to be found.

Did the Wet Wipe-alike packaging put me off these Crisps? No. Would I buy them again? Probably not. They’re kind of like a Frisp with a Wotsit flavour and to be quite honest, that’s not the Crisp for me.

Christine.

Packet #107: Tayto Beef Stew

These limited edition Tayto are the talk of the town. Last week I reviewed Bacon & Cabbage and today I had three choices. Cook dinner, clean up the pile of clothes mounting up in my hallway or eat a pack of Tayto Beef Stew.

A wise UN worker and Crisp fan once told me that just before you cook dinner is a great time for a package of Crisps. With that in mind, I decided to bridge the dinner gap with this innovative bag. Just don't ask about the clothes...

Usually when I’m reviewing a Crisp, I take a good look at the packet and smell them first. Not this time. I ripped open the pack and took a big bite.

The first thing that hits you is the strong beef taste. And that’s alright by me because I like a beef Crips. Hula Hoops, McCoy’s, they’re all staples in my Crisping diet. So I’m delighted to try another flavour.

Do you know what though? Beef isn’t the only flavour going on here. There’s a slight sweet vegetabley tang to them. I think there could be a hint of onion and perhaps even tomato. I dunno exactly what it is, but I like it.

Right, I suppose now I should give them a smell. They smell like a straight up beef Crisp. Grand. Although I’d say they could be the kind of Crisp that lingers on your breath and on your person in general for a while after you eat them.

The consistency in this bag of Crisps is all over the place, flavourwise. Some are really punchy, while some seem to be looked over entirely by the flavour shaker. I’m the sort of person who likes a surprise really strong Crisp, so I don’t mind this at all. In fact, I welcome it. But if you prize uniformity of Crisp flavour, maybe this isn’t a packet for you.

Now for the question on everyone’s mind. Are Tayto Beef Stew better than Tayto Bacon & Cabbage?

In a word, yes.

Christine

Packet #106: Tayto Bacon & Cabbage

Oh Tayto. You are the unrivalled Crisp king in Ireland (no offence King). Your Crisps are legendary. Even British celebrities that I follow on Instagram sometimes talk about your products.

Some might wonder if you should bother trying to innovate. Your classic flavours are almost universally lauded. So stepping into a new Crisp ring is risky.

But does that risk pay off?

After a decisive Instagram Crisp off, where upwards of 20 Blog About Crisps fans voted, the public demanded that I review your new Bacon & Cabbage flavour.

Challege accepted.

I pop open the packet at an optimum time for Crisp eating. Twenty past 12 on a Friday. They are my pre-lunch amuse-bouche.

As I stick my snout into the foil wrapper for a sniff, I notice something unusual for a limited edition Crisp. There is not much of a scent.

Practically speaking, that’s a good sign. It always feels weird when you can smell a Crisp offer your fingertips hours after you eat it. But from a potential taste point of view, it has me worried.

The Crisps themselves have little flecks of green on them, much like a Sour Cream & Onion Crisp might sport.

They don’t look to be tiny flecks of cabbage though. That would be obviously quite strange, although I have to say I’d appreciate the authenticity.

They have the consistency of a regular Tayto C&O or S&V, which you would expect.

Taste-wise, these are a fine Crisp.They are salty and although not overpowering, they are flavoursome. I was expecting something reminiscent of a Smokey Bacon, but that’s not what I found.

The flavour is relatively delicate, but if you close your eyes and really focus on what’s developing on your palette, the salt does give way to a mild cabbage type flavour profile. But you have to REALLY concentrate. You wouldn’t pick them out in a blind tasting.

Full disclosure, I haven’t eaten a plate of Bacon & Cabbage in at least 15 years. So I’m not really in a place to fully judge if they are true to the dish.

They are, however, a nice Crisp.

Did I enjoy them? Yes. Would I eat a pack if they were given to me? Sure. Would I buy them again? Maybe.

If you’re into bacon, cabbage or novelty Crisps, you should probably give these a whirl.

Christine.

Packet #105: M&S Chicken Katsu Curry Ridge Cut Crisps

The last time I had a Chicken Katsu Curry I was a meat-eating teenager wearing very baggy jeans in Celtic Tiger Dublin.

Things have changed since then in more ways than one. When I saw this wasp-esque packet of Crisps in town the other day, I couldn't help but indulge in a spot of nostalgia.

On opening the packet, I got a strong whiff of curry. But not a 3-in-1 style curry. It was more of a posh Thai takeaway sort of scent.

The Crisps in the packet were remarkably in tact. A lot of large Crisps, which always leads to a challenging yet satisfying eat.

I really enjoyed the texture of the Crisp. It's very sturdy and very crunchy. It's almost like a Frisp that's been double cooked or perhaps condensed. I don't think it's necessary a winner for everyone. For those with a weak jaw, the extra work might get tiresome. But if you're into a crunch, then you're in luck.

The flavour leaves a little to be desired. In my (albeit limited) experience of Chicken Katsu Curry, the dish is a basic brown gloop with a strong curry taste. This is more like a spiced coconut sauce type taste. And couldn't get any chicken favour at all. I think the Crisp Creatives at M&S aimed for a posh flavour, but it ended up a bit sickly.

I even considered not finishing the packet straight away.

However, because I enjoyed the texture so much, I'd be open to experimenting with another Crisp from the range with a different flavour.

Christine.

Packet #104 - Walkers Max Strong Jalapeño and Cheese

A pack of crisps can often be like a promotion/relegation playoff. So much hope, so much anticipation. Will it be packed full of flavour, deliver a good crunch and leave you wanting more? Or will it be limp, lifeless and forgettable? Success and you're in the big leagues, failure and you're out.

Now Walkers would often be a bit of a yo-yo pack in my eyes. Sometimes they pull it out of the bag but often they leave you questioning your love of crisps. That's why it was a huge risk picking up this share bag of Walkers Max Strong Jalapeño AND Cheese especially after Christine's magnificent review of another flavour. But sometimes dear reader, just sometimes, it's worth taking that risk. You can hear the crunch instantly, it's loud and consistent, just like any good defender. The next thing you notice is the power of the cheese hitting you in the face like a strikers wayward shot, neatly followed up with a fiery finish of jalapeño. They finished the job with consistency and before I knew it the bag was over and this pack was in the big leagues.

I guess what we can take from this is that we shouldn't judge a pack by it's cover. We should be bold and brave and dive two handed at even the most outrageous looking packs of crisps. Don't be afraid, eat more crisps.

Deano.

Packet #103: El Valle Sabor Huevo Frito

Do you ever get up in the morning craving crispy fried eggs? That homely sulphuric taste, doused in oil and salt is a joy to many people, even people who don't like Crisps.

If you both like Crisps AND fried eggs but don't feel like cooking, we have the solution for you. And that solution is: El Valle Sabor Huevo Frito. For English speakers, the variety is helpfully translated as Fried Egg Taste Chips.

The white packet is reminiscent of egg whites and it has classy gold and black accents. The serving suggestion on the packet appears to be a handful of this Crisps served alongside a fried egg on a slate. And the foil on the inside of the packet is gold instead of the classic silver, which is another elegant touch.

In order to get the true flavour of these adventurous Spanish Crisps, I ate them solo and straight out of the packet.

The first thing that hits you is the smell. A definite and distinct fried egg smell. Anyone who's been in a cafe on a Sunday morning will be familiar with this particular waft. So far, so egg.

When you take one of these Crisps in your hand, you'll immediately feel oil and quite large chunks of salt. That's a good sign in my book.

They have a dense, weighty consistency. These babies are definitely a posh Crisp with a loud crunch to match.

Most of these Crisps are fairly large in size and held their shape well in the suitcase of my Mother In Law, who brought this packet back from Spain for me to try. She is a very generous Mother In Law, who clearly could have a fine career in the Crisp transportation logistics business.

So we have near top marks for size, density and presentation. But what about taste? You will be astounded to know that these taste EXACTLY LIKE FRIED EGGS. It's incredible. On first bite, they are reminiscent of the crispy bits on the edge of the fried egg whites. But then, when you move on to your subsequent handfuls, it develops into a somewhat yolky taste. It really is amazing.

Whoever made these Crisps is a genius.

Christine.

Packet #102: Ruffles Double Crunch Zesty Cheddar

Today is Thanksgiving! It is a day where, I'm told, people put marshmallows in their dinner in the United States of America. WHAT A DAY.

To celebrate this big USA day, I decided to treat myself to a packet of Ruffles Double Crunch Zesty Cheddar.

The bag of Crisps, or "Chips" as they say in America, is very American looking in its design. It looks very "High School" or "Baseball" or something.

The packet also promises "RRRidges" and "2x The Crunch Compared to Ruffles Original Potato Chips".

The first thing that you notice when you open the bag is a very, very bad smell. A terrible smell. It's difficult to describe. Maybe a bit like fermenting corn mixed with rotting mayonnaise. They could be the worst smelling Crisp I've eaten all year.

Surprisingly, the taste is actually pretty good. It has more depth than a regular cheese Crisp and the Zesty Cheddar flavour is complemented by a selection of spices and a large whack of garlic.

The texture is TOP NOTCH. I don't know if these really have exactly double the crunch of Ruffles Original Potato Chips because I've never had them, but they are definitely very crunchy. A thick, substantial crunch. It feels like two Hunky Dorys smushed together.

This leads to a really loud crunch. And there are few things more satisfying than a really loud crunch of a Crisp.

They are also orange in appearance, which has been the unofficial colour of America for the past two years or so. A very fitting shade for the times we live in.

I don't know if I'd choose to eat another packet of these Crisps anytime soon. They leave a very unpleasant smell on your fingers and your breath. But there are also somewhat pleasing.

In conclusion, if you like a cheese Crisp and you have a heavy cold, or just a poor sense of smell, give these Crisps a crunch.

Christine.

Packet #101 - Walkers Poppables Sweet Chilli

It's too late to have lunch. It's too early to have dinner. And you're waiting for a bus. What do you do?

Well, this dilemma came upon me only today and I decided to do the only thing that felt right.

I opened up a bag of Walkers Poppables Sweet Chilli.

These Crisps are WILD. When I saw the picture on the front of the packet, I was skeptical. How could these Crisps hold their shape? Especially considering they survived a journey to and from The Plex, Coolock, I didn't quite think it was possible.

But it was. Incredibly, almost every single Crisp inside the bag was intact. They're like dense Waffles moulded into the shape of an American "football".

Speaking of Waffles, these potato-based snacks have a very similiar texture to their Irish bacon counterparts. They're definitely a little more solid though, which I suppose is necessary from an engineering point of view in order to ensure the structure of each Crisp is secure. And they don't stick in your teeth for too long, which is a nice plus.

The flavour is also very intriguing. The bag says Sweet Chilli, but in my opinion it's closer to that of a spicy Skip. Inoffensive and not overly powerful. Maybe it would be more accurate if they called this Spiced Prawn flavour? I've never tasted a prawn, but I'm guessing if paired with a spice, it would taste a bit like this Crisp.

In conclusion, I would recommend this Crisp. A thrilling shape, impressive uniformity throughout the bag and a flavour you don't come across every day. Unless you eat a lot of Skips.

Christine.

Packet #100 - Walkers Max Strong Hot Chicken Wings

100 Crisp reviews is a lot. So for this Crisp reviewing landmark, we thought we'd go all out. We'd go for a bold, hard-hitting Crisp that promises to shake things up.

After the moderate success of our last Crinkle Cut review (Keogh's Irish Cheddar and Red Onion), we decided to continue with this seemingly insatiable Crisp trend. That's why we decided to sample Walkers Max Strong Hot Chicken Wings Crisps.

Well, when we say we decided to sample them, we actually just got them for free off a guy selling cartons of water at a festival. He only had one flavour of Crisps in his shack and we accepted them gladly.

But maybe the fact that he was giving them away for free should've indicated the sad truth about these Crisps. They are kind of horrible. And when I say kind of, I mean REALLY HORRIBLE.

In my opinion, chicken flavour Crisps are usually more miss than hit. You might think that as a vegetarian reviewer I'm biased against all meat flavoured Crisps. On the contrary, dear reader. My favourite Crisps are usually meat flavoured. Smokey Bacon, BBQ Beef and Flaming Steak all rank highly in my esteem. But I don't think I've ever met a chicken flavour Crisp that I liked. Well except Chickatees. They're lovely.

Anyway, I really thought that these Hot Chicken Wing Crisps would be the ones to change my mind. I love hot wing sauce. I like the fact that they are rated on the packet as a two flames out of three flames level of spiciness. And the crinkle cut format is always fun to eat. At least that's what I thought before I ate these crisps.

If you look carefully at the packet you'll see the tagline "Perfect With Beer". As friend of A Blog About Crisps, human rights fan and reveller Niall put it: "We had beer. They were not perfect.".

He's right. There is nothing perfect about these Crisps. They weren't even spicy. They didn't have the vinegary tang that you get off a good hot sauce. They just tasted a bit musty. Kind of like old soy sauce or something. Maybe vaguely herby. Weird anyway.

The texture was actually grand. A good thick Crisp with a bit of bite. But because the flavour was so unpleasing, I couldn't even stick with them for the satisfying crunch.

I'm not sure if this has ever happened before, but I didn't even finish the Crisps. I just gave them to an unsuspecting festival goer and went on my way.

So no. I wouldn't recommend these Crisps. But I am intrigued by the rest of the Max Strong range, so maybe I'll give the other flavours a bash at some point.

Christine.

Packet # 99 - Keogh’s Crinkle Cut Irish Cheddar And Red Onion

At A Blog About Crisps, we’ve been eating Keogh’s Crisps for well over seven years. That’s a long time, but do you know what, reader? We're not sick of them yet.

Occasionally, the brand bring out seasonal favourites – like the patriotic Shamrock & Sour Cream – but that's not the only the revolutionary Crisp they have in their Crisp stable.

Let’s get down to it. What’s so special about these Crisps? First off, they are a posh Crisp but they’re also crinkle cut. That means you get all the firmness of a posh Crisp with all the exciting textural experience that a crinkle cut crisp delivers. Imagine if Hunky Dory’s were denser, crunchier and perhaps 10% thicker. That’s the texture-profile of this crisp.

And now, on to the flavour. I’ll be honest. When I saw cheese and onion on the packet, I thought I’d like them. But I didn’t think they’d be anything new. I thought maybe they’d be like the regular Keogh’s Dubliner Irish Cheese & Onion. A nice Crisp that’s like a more flavourful version of a non-posh C&O Crisp.

Keogh’s Crinkle Cut Irish Cheddar And Red Onion Crisps are not like that at all. They are MUCH CHEESIER than the average cheese and onion Crisp. To tell you the truth, it threw me a little. But I was also sneakily eating these Crisps under the table at an upmarket drinking establishment, so it was fairly easy to throw me.

I was too freaked to finish the rest of the bag in the pub so I took the end home. And even from the comfort of my own couch, the cheese still blew me away. It’s almost more parmesany than cheddary. Delicious, but probably not for a casual C&O eater. These are designed for hardcore cheese lovers.

I’m not sure what the difference is between red onion and normal onion, but I could definitely taste a bit of onion off of these crisps. But it’s mainly cheese.

With reports of extremely cheesy crisps in Africa, I wonder is there some sort of trans-continental cheese Crisp craze going on?

But I digress. Overall, these are great Crisps. Bold and brave in both flavour and texture, these are best suited to cheese aficionados and adventurous Crisp fans.

Christine.

Packet #98 - Lay's Cheese Gratin & Caramelized Onion

The crisp selection in Zambia is middling. Whichever way you look at it, you’ll rarely be satisfied. Fighting with expiry dates, intactness of product and correct-flavour-to-cure-what-ails-ye-ness is usually a battle lost. These oily little stink bombs however hit the spot.

The packet screams ‘Sunday dinner with the family' but the contents are exteemely ‘solo Tuesday with the fear’. The cheesy powder clinging on for dear life to each and every morsel in the pack is potent and stops just short of jumping the shark. The crunch is destructively satisfying and the ensuing mulch a treat.

Are kettle chips posh? Indisputably. Are Kettle chips delish? Occasionally. These lads definitely score a point for the attempt at elegance in crisps, even if they are more over-seasoned than your average spice-bag.

I wouldn't involve these in any way if you have any sort of smooch or career-based appointments in the coming hours. If you’re entertaining a old pal or an indifferent family member, crack em open.

I did finish the bag. It was def too much cheese. Still, class crisps.

Niall.

Packet #97 - Lay's "乐趣 美国经典香精"

What can you say about China that's not been said already? Shall we talk about their tremendous Olympic team? How's about their unique work ethic and discipline that's seen China become such an economic power house across the globe? Or! What about their focus on family values and immense respect for the elderly?  All worthy for discussion, but as I'm sure you're aware nobodies every REALLY talked about Lay's "乐趣  美国经典香精" Crisps. So let's.

Packet #96 - M&S Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar Hand Cooked Crisps

I was at a party on Saturday evening. My friend Dutchy handed me a packet of crisps and demanded I review them.

I wanted to do a good job, so I didn’t try them that night at the party. I didn’t even open them when I was hungover the following day. No. I waited until this very Friday The perfect time to try a new packet of crisps.

These are a mix between a posh crisp and a standard crisp. Not quite thick enough to be a craft crisp, but definitely more bite than one of the regular crisps.

The flavour is delicious – very salty with a just a touch more than a hint of vinegar. Not enough vinegar to make your tongue do that weird thing that happens when you have a very vinegary crisp.

When you get to the bottom of the bag, there are lots of little crisps that are extra flavoursome and extra crunchy. It’s a bit like the extra crispy morsels at the end of a bag of chips – a delightful surprise.

Perhaps these little delights were a result of Dutch and myself carrying around the crisps in our bags at the party for so long, or perhaps the crisps were designed that way. Whatever the reason, the outcome was very pleasing.

Any criticisms? They were slightly oily. Perhaps this allows the flavourings to stick onto the crisps better. In that case, a slightly oily crisp is fine by me.

Thank you Marks, Spencer and Dutchy. These crisps were the highlight of my Friday morning.

Christine

Packet #95 - Bénenuts 3D's Bugles

Moulin Rouge, football and bugles all have one thing in common. That's right, LOUD NOISES. And if there's one thing we like here at the blog it's LOUD NOISES. In fact sometimes we have competitions to see who can make the loudest noise. So when my eyes came across this bag of 3D's Bugles in a busy side street of Paris I roared the immortal catchphrase of Kriss Akabusi, AWOOGA! Victory was surely mine.

How wrong I was. Not only could you not play this particular type of bugle but they were almost inedible. It was as if some one curled up tiny pieces of cardboard and packaged them as crisps. Imagine eating a mix of sawdust and shredded wheat and you're nearly there. The one positive I will give the gang at Bénenuts is that there's an almighty crunch when you bit into their bugle. This was the reason I didn't stop eating after the first handful. In fact I got so carried away with the crunch that soon there was a cement like paste forming in my mouth. Fortunately I was surrounded by refreshments and was soon back making a racket again.

I'm pretty sure this is the only bag of crisps I have never finished. This has to be a sign. A sign that they are a terrible crisp and to avoided at all costs. Unless you like eating things similar to sawdust, then go for it. You've got my support.

Deano