Here we have Paqui - Haunted Ghost Pepper, all the way from Austen, Texas.

Ghost pepper is widely regarded as one of the hottest chilli peppers in existence, something I'm not taking lightly with the prospect of putting them in my mouth. I have a glass of milk at the ready.

The diagram on the back tells us these are not just kinda hot, hot, super hot but "freakin hot".

​The things I do for the love of crisp nation..

The crisp looks like a nice, rustic, crunchy tortilla chip and unusually for american chilli flavours - the flavouring on the crisp doesn't look toxic (deceiving?) My eyes have watered, my nostrils are burning and my chest emits a hefty cough - they weren't kidding, but I go in for another all the same. It feels like if there were ever a virus of some kind inside a human - this would the tonic to ridding it. It's explosive. Saying that i haven't lost all taste sensations so it's a worthwhile hit. This adventurous taste reveller battles on.. I mean these are not for the weak of heart but the flavour is actually pretty good should you venture that far. I've had a good few mouthfuls and it's time for the milk as my vision starts to blur. I dip my tongue into the glass and leave it there, bathing in the cooling milk hoping it'll be over. MILK WAS A BAD CHOICE. Yoghurt has been thrust into my shaking hands.. yes! Yoghurt is king. It's totally worked! Wow.. Oh no I've done something bad, very bad - I've poked my eye with a crisp covered finger.. the pain is real, my face is under a tap washing out my swollen eye.. It's over. It was worth it.

8/10

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Found in New York.

Holy Moly - this are some seriously large corn puffs! Like a wotsit except double the thickness and 5 times the length! 

A big old finger of a cheese puff.. in fact since it's halloween today.. I've taken a picture of them as my fingers. You're welcome.

These are.. intense! I love Sriracha but it is quite the punch and especially so in these crisps. Sriracha lovers will love these.. for other people - it might be best to stick to the normal cheddar puffs. Underneath the chilli hit you can tell that it's a really good quality cheese flavouring and a good light crunchy puff. 

But Chilli haters.. BEEEWWAAARRREEEE

7/10

Found in New York.


I'm always on the lookout when in the U S of A for New Orleans' very own Zapps- I first tried and fell in love with these in New Orleans itself and was delighted to stumble across this limited edition pack in a Brooklyn corner shop.


The flavour at first glance makes me think of the spicy- cheese doritos dip that I used to love so much (before they changed the recipe and became gross) you can still find that dip here- only it's made by Tostitos (it's highly recommended).


The crisp itself is what to expect from Zapps, a real wholesome kettle crunch from a curly crisp. Not too greasy, and the right amount of seasoning throughout the pack.


The flavouring unfortunately has not hit the spot.. it really leaves a lot to be desired. It's subtle but a little sickly, a hint of chili and a hint of creaminess and that's all. Not the end of the world, but I expected a lot better.


4/10

​Found in Las Vegas.

We get the off pack of cheetos here in the UK, but you'd be amazed by the variety of cheese puffs you can get in the US.. it really is insane and Cheetos lead the way.

Here we have one of their classics but something tells me it's not going to be the flamin hot I know and love in monster munch...

Wow! Opening the pack I'm blinded by the the volcanic glow of these insane crisps.. I have not saturated the picture my friends - this is how they look!

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And also - they're humungous! Usually when I see puffs this size - I think of the polystyrene- like crisps you get from a cheap offy. Luckily they've kept their crunch on these.

But the flavour is what I was expecting - a vinegary chemical spice mixed with cheese. Safe to say I won't be finishing this packet!

​1/10

Found in New York.

Cold drink at the ready, i'm taking on these fire engulfed babies from across the pond.

The crisp I can instantly see is too thin and in need of crunch - they're super bright red - this is going to hurt. I attack the first one and i'm correct they need more crunch... and owwwww they're burning. The first 10 seconds are actually really good. A lovely spice with a really solid paprika flavouring. After the 10 seconds are up, the real heat starts to hit. Serious afterburn.

They're definitely not for the faint of heart but what a full flavour, spice lovers will really enjoy these. I'll allow the thinness because of the great flavour.

Yum!


8/10

"Because We Give a Chip!"

Found in New York, New York.

And what a slogan! Deep river snacks hit the kettle cooked market hard, and hard is exactly what they are. these crisp give excellent crunch. 

It's great when you come across a crisp that has such amazing crunch without being caked in oil. These are dry enough, without being over dry. The flavour is super oniony and super sweet.

So might say a little too sweet, but on this Autumnal day cooped up inside - these are going down a treat. A large bag of these would probably make me yak, but what a great crunch from this snack-attack.

7/10

Found in Nawlins.


Daaaamn these have some SERIOUS crunch!!! A great kettle, thick with gnashing goodness.

The spicy Cajun flavour is just perfect. I sampled many a chilli sauce when in Louisiana and these live up to those standards, a great tang and a deep heat that doesn't overly burn or bring a tear to the eye but leaves a great paprika flavour in your crisp hole.




8/10

Another Zapp's from New Orleans and yet again I'm majorly impressed.

These are a limited but very welcome edition to the range. An intense onion flavouring with a really nice sweetness to it that is in no way sickly (that's hard to pull off).

Again - a perfect crunch and i'm really digging Zapp's. I'd go as far as to say that Zapp's are one of my favourite brands of US crispmakers!

8/10

While I didn't come any alligators on my wintery trip to New Orleans... I did come across some pretty amazing Gator-gators! These are super crunchy potato crisps with an amazing intense dill flavouring. 

Exactly as I was hoping from these. Wickedly tangy & sour. 




8/10