Ever since my review of Monster Munch - Pickled onion, I
have had a backlash from the Monster Munch aficionados. Don't expect me to just
roll over and admit that I was wrong to discredit the family favourite. I stand
by my comments and maintain the view that the flavour is great but the crisps
themselves are a joke... there, I said it! I guess I have never been a fan of a
maize snack, particularly when there is a serious potato or corn option
available. It is for this reason, when I spotted Walkers - Pickled Onion at a
Finsbury Park off-licence, I knew I had to review them to further demonstrate
my point. I must say, I do prefer the thicker cut cauldron cooked variety of
potato crisps and this packet is just your regular thin cut crisp. In saying
that, there are a lot of thinly cut crisp manufacturers around but I believe
Walkers do it best. They have managed to create a finely cut crisp that does
not compromise on crunch. Like a teenage gymnast turned high school PE teacher,
Walkers Pickled Onion are sour with a vinegary tang and they don’t spare on the
salt. Yet they are light and one could eat them until your mouth is full of
ulcers, your teeth fall out and your heartburn becomes and all out heart
attack! A quality crisp and I would like to see them a lot more regularly. ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Eating crisps is not something to be taken lightly.
Walkers - Pickled Onion (UK)
Ever since my review of Monster Munch - Pickled onion, I
have had a backlash from the Monster Munch aficionados. Don't expect me to just
roll over and admit that I was wrong to discredit the family favourite. I stand
by my comments and maintain the view that the flavour is great but the crisps
themselves are a joke... there, I said it! I guess I have never been a fan of a
maize snack, particularly when there is a serious potato or corn option
available. It is for this reason, when I spotted Walkers - Pickled Onion at a
Finsbury Park off-licence, I knew I had to review them to further demonstrate
my point. I must say, I do prefer the thicker cut cauldron cooked variety of
potato crisps and this packet is just your regular thin cut crisp. In saying
that, there are a lot of thinly cut crisp manufacturers around but I believe
Walkers do it best. They have managed to create a finely cut crisp that does
not compromise on crunch. Like a teenage gymnast turned high school PE teacher,
Walkers Pickled Onion are sour with a vinegary tang and they don’t spare on the
salt. Yet they are light and one could eat them until your mouth is full of
ulcers, your teeth fall out and your heartburn becomes and all out heart
attack! A quality crisp and I would like to see them a lot more regularly. ⋆⋆⋆⋆Salty Dog - Jalapeño & Coriander (UK)
Now, I know you're thinking, "This guy is always doing jalapeño/chilli
crisps" and you would be right. Trouble is, I can't help it. When the
options are laid out on the table, I will go for the hot crisps almost every
time. This is different; this flavour is Jalapeño & Coriander. Now,
again, I know what you thinking, “I don’t like coriander” and believe me, you’re
in good company. I mean, I don’t, hate coriander. It’s ok, but it’s no basil.
However, in this packet, with the slightest hint of black pepper, the coriander
is subtle. As if to say “be gentle.... it’s my first time”. The jalapeño
flavour is poignant but without testing your scoville scale. Salty Dog bring a satisfyingly
crunchy crisps to the table and live up to their name, creating a saltier than
your average crisp. The thing that I love about them the most is that they are
an independent brand doing some great things and this dog could definitely hold
it'Kettle Chips Wave Cut - Salt & Vinegar (UK)
Now, whether you're in the UK or Australia, I believe we are all aware of what Kettle chips are. Kettle are the 'Don's' of the cauldron cooked crisp. All of these other brands doing the cauldron cooked crisp; Walkers Sensations, Tyrrells, are really only aiming for the bench mark left by these heavyweights of the crisp world. As usual, I am excited about these crisps. I am excited for two reasons;
1) Even on the packet, it's says chips. Not crisps. Since moving to the UK, I have been practically band from the use of the word chips in reference to potato crisps. It appears to be a topic that the British feel very strongly about and I can assure you, they are very quick to correct anyone caught misusing their mother tongue.
2) These chips are Salt & Vinegar! Not Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar. Not Cider Vinegar & Rock Salt. Not Rice Wine Vinegar & Pink Himalayan Crystal Salt! As I have stated in the past, original is always the best. These chips are also 'Wave Cut', which we can safely assume is another name for crinkle cut chips and I am more than impressed with Kettle's foray into the crinkle cut variety. I believe the crinkle adds to the crunch, of which Kettle may be the finest exemplars.The flavour is spot on. Salty but not too salty. Vinegary but not too vinegary. In summary; A real Triumph. ⋆⋆⋆⋆½
San Carlo - Piú gusto, Lime e pepe rosa (Italy)
On a recent trip around the Mediterranean, I wrote this blog entry while in Naples. Along my journey, I tried quite a few different types of crisps but none had
really deserved a review. I only felt compelled to voice my opinion and
overall disappointment. And this pack is no different. Rather, more an
example of all of the thinly sliced, inferior crunch, tasteless crisps that
this weary traveler has been forced to grow accustom too. Perhaps I've been spoiled by the delicious, thick cut, crunchy crisps of the UK for too long now and perhaps said
delicious crisps of the UK are the reason for the growing rate of
childhood obesity. Although Naples does seem to have it's fair share of
heavy set street urchins. One young lady that caught my gaze at a Sorrento beach seemed to have no trouble getting about with no bikini top on
regardless of her tiny breasts and protruding gut. There is no more proud people of their own spare tyres than the Neapolitans. Of course the
apparent obesity epidemic currently sweeping Naples may actually be down
to the delicious pizza, which disproves the theory that one can never
have to much of a good thing. Fortunately for the Italians, their pizza is a more than suitable substitute for their unsatisfying crisps. ⋆
Blair's Death Rrain - Habanero Pepper (US)
I am particularly excited about these crisps. This is an independent brand that mainly produces hot sauces but has recently plied their hand in the crisp world. Over the course of my tenure as a crisp critic/blogger, It's become a side project of mine to find the spiciest crisps on the
market. On a recent trip with my good mother, up to Scotland, we stopped in at York (Lovely Town. If you have not been, I highly recommend). During our pit stop in York, I happened upon some crisps by the name of Blair's Death Rain; Habanero Pepper. The man that sold them to me actually warned me about the heat of these crisps, suggesting I may not be able to finish the entire bag. To which my proud mother replied "Oh, he will!". Blair's Death Rain; Habanero Pepper are cauldron cooked similar to that of a kettle crisp. Now I am not hear piss in your pocket. These crisps are HOT! Even
smelling inside the bag could burn the hair in your nostrils! Like your Uncle at a wedding, mistaking the Wasabi for Guacamole, I was in a spot of bother. The 43g
pack did not last long but the end result was watering eyes, running
nose and intense lingering spice on the tongue and lips. I sometimes find
myself licking the flavour of some other, lesser chilli crisps. With Blair's Death Rain; Habanero, that
would be like walking over hot coals with your face. Not only were they the hottest crisp I have ever eaten, they were also the crunchiest. Aside from the heat they also have a lovely smokey flavour. A fine all effort from Death Rain and I hear they have an even Hotter flavour named "Jolokia Pepper". Intriguing! ⋆⋆⋆⋆½
Cofresh - Chilli Cassava Chips (UK)
Zweifel Secrets - Jamaica Hot Chips (Swiss)
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