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)

Now I'm not even sure what a Cassava is but I am assuming it is in the root vegetable group with potatos and carrots. I'm also not too sure about the type of crisp a cassava can produce however I would say these particular crisps dont quite have the crunch and crumble of a potato chip. Perhaps the cassava is a denser brother of the more popular potato. In saying that, of all the cassava chips I have come across, none of them are in foil packaging. And we all know foil packaging unequivically locks in the freshness. So it could be that from factory to shelf the freshness is comprimised in the plastic packaging, leaving us with a slightly stale crisp. Of course of this is mere theory and I may be completely wrong. In any event, I do quite enjoy this fried root vegetable cousin. The pack in the this review is Cofresh Chilli Cassava Chips and let me tell you, they pack a punch. One of the hottest crisps I have tried. Only a few crisps in and there is a gentle burn on the tongue. Some sloppy handling and you could have flaming lips! Not for the faint of heart or the chilli novice. Being an avid spicy crisp eater myself, I enjoy this heat. A few hand fulls and you have a properly burning mouth, saliva glands going like dogs to freshly marked power pole!  Cofresh definitely have their neich in the crisp world and I urge and CHALLENGE you to try them. They do also have a milder chilli lemon flavour but dont wimp out! ⋆⋆⋆⋆

Zweifel Secrets - Jamaica Hot Chips (Swiss)

While on location in Berlin, I happened to stumble upon these crisps from Swiss manufacturer Zweifel. Jamaica Hot Chips are from their Secrets range. They have made a decent crisp however, for the average punter, the name could potentially be quite misleading. As I have done in the passed, I will spare you the confusion by letting you know that these are not hot chips in the traditional sense. They are in fact crisps that are hot and spicy like a Jamaican stripper replacing the head gasket on her 58'Buick Special in the relentless Caribbean sun. Jamaica Hot Chips are a decently thick crinkle cut crisp, with a peculiar flavour which grows on you through out the packet, but never too overwhelming. The most important factor, unlike some previous brands attempts, Zweifel have actually created a spicy crisp deserving the label of 'Hot'. After inhaling a quick few mouthfuls I've received the warm chili buzz I enjoy so much. Not the crunchiest crisp I have ever tried but I would not hold this against them. Overall I believe Zweifel have done very well. If I hadn't just reviewed Real Handcooked Jalapeno I would say Jamaica Hot Chips are the best chili crisps I have tried in Europe! ⋆⋆⋆⋆

Real Handcooked - Jalapeno Pepper (UK)

While my good friend Jared, was still in London. I decided to take him out to Greenwich, to visit the Meantime Brewery Bar. If I were to become a Beer Connoisseur, Meantime Lagers and Ale's would come back with a 5 Star rating of their own. London's finest Brewery and Bar, itself is a fine spot to enjoy a cold pint in the sun. Standing at the bar I just happened to glance over and see, with all it's glory, my white whale, a selection of Real Handcooked crisps! To say I was excited was an understatement. The planets had aligned, I was drinking Meantime Pale Ale, eating Real Handcooked crisps. It was better than cocaine and sex! In saying this, I do have the option of Real Handcooked Sweet Chili in the vending machine at work, which are the best Sweet Chili crisps I had found. However, Jalapeno Pepper?! These are not easy to find! Real Handcooked make 'kettle' style crisps, think cut with a superb crunch! They leave the skin on the potatoes so it gives them a somewhat organic feel. The Jalapeno flavour is strong. Strong enough to test the chili novice yet gentle enough to avoid a burning ring hole the next day. I love a spicy crisp so thus far I have never really been satisfied but the warm burn in the back of the throat after a few quick handfuls was a welcome sensation. Reminded me of the old Chilli Kettle chips days, back in Australia. Made of natural flavour and spices Real has really thrown down the gauntlet to the other crisps manufacturers! A triumphant ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Warburtons Baked Pitta Chips - Sea Salt & Black Pepper (UK)

Possibly the old bread firm's first foray in to the snack world, never the less I believe it has been a great success, and why wouldn't it be! Once you try the Pitta Chips I think you will agree. They look like a triangle of one side of a Pitta pocket, smooth on the outside, rough on the inside. The have a great biscuity crunch and don't seem overly oily. The Sea Salt & Black Pepper is not full on at all but one is also not disappointed with the lack of flavour. To be honest they are only a few shades over bland but I believe that's all they need to be. Which is why they are probably not the finest selection for a quick snack on the go. These chips would really come in to their own copulating a home made guacamole or lemony houmous. In other words, A fine vessel to get delicious dips into your mouth! ⋆⋆⋆½