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 #76 Walkers Deep Ridged Mature Cheddar & Onion

The summer, a great time of year for most countries, the weather is great, people are in a good mood and you get to sit on the beach toasting yourself to a nice crisp. Unless of course you live in Ireland where the only type of crisp we get is in a pack and made from potatoes(sometimes). But sure that's probably why we love crisps so much and also who wants to eat crisps when it's sunny? No, we definitely have the perfect weather for year round crisp munching.

Anyway this summer I've eaten loads of crisps from all over the world and this particular pack is from our neighbours in the UK. Probably the second best makers of crisps. It's part of Walkers new Deep Ridged selection promising us ridges twice as deep. Lovely but how deep can ridges get? Well the answer is very deep, if I wasn't a fully grown large man I'd probably fall into them. The ridges actually add a heavy crunch to the crisp which has quite a light texture. They also manage to pack in the flavour, especially the mature cheddar, it's as if you've brushed your teeth with a block of old cheese. Tasty.

Overall these are a much welcome addition to the Walkers brand of crisps and also come in Flame Grilled Steak and Salt & Malt Vinegar. I'm happy with that selection no messing around with odd flavours this time, well done Walkers. Now it's sunny(ish) time for a BBQ. BYE!

Deano.

Packet #57 - Walkers Meaty Flavour Potato Crisps

January can be a tough month. Everyone is broke after Christmas and everywhere you look people are throwing health and fitness in your face. Well here at the blog we’ve a top tip, instead of spending money on expensive olive oil or rapeseed oil why not use crisps as a healthy, cheap alternative. Anyway enough of the health tips, on to the positives of January. Crisps. New crisps. Walkers to be precise. They’re called What’s the flavour? Walkers have launched three new flavours and are asking people to guess what they are. The particular bag I tried was covered in question marks and known only as Meaty Flavour Potato Crisps. Exciting!

So the blogs first bag of mystery crisps had me puzzled for a while. Lots of tantalising flavours were flying about filling my nostrils with strong meaty type spiciness. At first it was a familiar flavour, one which I knew I had tried before but exactly what that flavour was escaped me. I was thinking spicy chicken or some kind of meat ravaged pizza. Whatever it was I liked it. They’re kind of sweet but with a little kick of spice and that elusive mystery meat... The texture and crunch of the crisps are much the same as previous Walkers which works well for a nice post lunch munch and will please consistency lovers.

Overall a very enjoyable experience. I liked the fact the packet was plain with just a sticker on it with a few mysterious question marks. If it were me I'd release crisps in bags like these all the time. Every time you went to buy crisps it would be a massive lucky dip! Watch out marketing teams of the world. Anywho I look forward to trying the other flavours Walkers have on offer when they're out (Mark ate the other two). 

Deano.

P.S. I figured out what they remind me of, Hunky Dory Buffalo Flavour.