Blog Posts - Crisp Nation

Mini Cheddars - Lime & Chilli (MEXICAN PARTY)

21/4/2020

NEW FROM MINI CHEDDARS! It's the Mexican party range. We all know the Mexican's know how to party and damn do they make some good food, so this is a great spring/summer flavour to bring out. Each one has a different of spice - i'm starting at the bottom with "Fresco" level.

I have to be honest - i'm not usually a fan of lime flavoured crisps, the sour tang just doesn't hit my tastes buds well - I steer in the opposite direction of Doritos "Hint of lime" crisps...

But I am really pleasantly surprised - the lime is not overpowering and whilst definitely lime, reminds me more of the tang you'd get from Worcester sauce or pickled onion flavour. It's perfectly paired with a hint of chilli but grounded by the classic cheddar staple. A welcome treat, can't wait to try the rest!

8/10

Capital Crisps - Ripe Tomato

6/4/2020

Here we have a new brand of crisps to hit the UK, and they certainly look different.
They bare more similarity to cheese crackers than crisps, but they're super light & flaky so definitely couldn't hold a dollop of Humous.

In my opinion they are TOO light, and could do with double the thickness to give a satisfying crunch - where as these leave lots to be desired.

In terms of flavours - the whole range is based upon Capital cities. Ripe Tomato being the flavour of ROME. The flavouring here is almost floral, as lightly seasoned as their crunch is lacking. It's not the sweet tomatoey flavouring we're used to getting from our beloved Prawn Cocktail. I'm interested to see what the rest of the range might have to offer, but these i'm afraid don't hit the mark.

3/10

Walkers - XXL Chicken & Chorizo (MAX DOUBLE CRUNCH)

4/2/2020

Next up in Walkers' Double Crunch range - XXL Chicken & Chorizo.

Don't really understand how you can name a flavour with XXL?? but hey!

I have to say the flavour is pretty non-descript! You get a definite aftertaste of chicken flavouring (I always found this a bit sickly with Walkers) I'm just not tasting the intense smoky tang of Chorizo here.. it's more paprika than Chorizo (which should really have a bit of chili in it).

Not offended, but not bowled over.

5/10

Walkers - Bold BBQ Ribs (MAX double crunch)

4/2/2020

Walkers MAX double crunch claim to have Maximum possible crunch - deep ridges and twice cooked.

I do love a good crunch and i'm starting off with a flavour i'm expecting to like - BBQ Ribs.

Woah! Well they certainly weren't kidding around about the crunch! It sounds like a wall is being knocked down in Crisp Nation HQ! These are almost dangerous they're so crunchy. Many times have I scraped the tender roof of my mouth in an insatiable frenzy of Wheat Crunchy gorging - and I believe these could have the same effect if i'm not careful.

The flavour almost plays a sideline to the extremity of this mouth workout. That said, it's a nice flavour - smoky and sweet. Not overpowering, but not underwhelming. These are some satisfying crisps to wrap your noshers around.

8/10

Pringles - Peking Duck with Hoisin Sauce (RICE FUSION)

29/1/2020

Another offering from the rice fusion range, this one is supposed to evoke crisp duck pancakes, slathered in Hoisin sauce, and you know what - they’re not half bad.

As usual, Pringles flavour distribution across each crisp is spot on, I’m getting both rich and sweet notes from the duck and the sauce respectively and they’re making me want to jog off to china town for a dessert of fritters.
However, again as usual with Pringles - you don’t want to make your way through too much of one can and they should definitely be shared.

Otherwise the sickly sweetness will get the better of you. If you’re a fan of Hoisin - have these at your next gathering.

Happy new year of the rat!
6.5/10

Doritos - Flamin' Hot Tangy Cheese

29/1/2020

Saucy new number from Doritos.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from these. Would they be Monster Munch Flaming Hot, which is entirely bearable in spice levels and very flavoursome, or, would they delve into the fiery world of American Doritos, which pride themselves on a chilli flavouring so toxic you’ll be blowing smoke rings for days?

Well, the instant reaction clearly tells a tale of American insanity.

If you enjoyed the Roulette Doritos that came out a while back and were totally ok with biting the bullet with a spicy one, then these are for you.
A fiery hot chilli permeates through the tangy cheese - and they are not kidding about the heat.

Signing off to go and down a pint of milk.

7/10 if you love da spice

Mackie’s - Whisky & Haggis

10/9/2019

🥃
Found in Scotland 󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

This is the first ridge cut crisps I’ve tried from mackies, they’re not overly crunchy as some ridged crisps can be but still enough crunch to get me by.

I’ll be honest- As much as I wish I could drink Whisky, the classy drink of choice for a refined citizen, I am unfortunately lacking the taste buds to appreciate it.

That said, it has not turned me off these pretty intense crisps. The overwhelming flavour for me is a real strong Haggis-ey pepper. I love a good black pepper crisp so this is going down well. Crisp connoisseurs with an aversion to pepper will definitely find these hard to eat. Funnily enough there’s officially no black pepper in the ingredients so I’m going to have to assume it’s coming from the “spice” flavouring. The Whisky flavour comes in the form of barley and yeast but without the sour kickback that I so experience with a sip of whisky.

These, while a novelty are actually quite palatable and worth a try.

7/10

Pringles - Rice Fusion - Indian Tandoori Chicken Masala

28/5/2019

Next up in the Rice Fusion range is a classic Indian dish, the Tandoori Chicken Masala.

And my is it making me want a curry. Again, the flavouring is intense, aromatic, authentic and on point, with an Indian peppery-hot kick to it. Cayenne to be precise. It's the tomato that's really shining through here though, with a richness that makes the Masala what it should be.

I can't say I'm noticing any difference in texture with these rice offerings, they still have a good crunch. Which is obviously a relief.

Bound to be a crowd-pleaser, would need to be shared given the rich flavour.

8/10

Pringles - Rice Fusion - Malaysian Red Curry

28/5/2019

A welcome new addition to the Pringles family.
They've been made with rice flavour, so they're basically a health food... right?

Their new range has got some pretty interesting flavours, and frankly, these ones make me want to hop on a flight straight to Kuala Lumpur. There's a good amount of spices playing around here - turmeric, pepper, cumin, coriander, ginger, cardamom, fenugreek, cinnamon and cloves. Phew!

The flavour feels authentic, like something I've had in a South East Asian restaurant at some point in the past - it's smokey, intense, exotic, but with a sweetness underlying it all that's teasing the tastebuds. It's definitely not a 'hot' curry, more aromatic. And I'm here for it.

8/10

McCoy's - Nacho Cheese (MUCHOS)

28/2/2019

Next up in the MUCHOS range from McCoy's and i'm starting to have flashbacks to a similar crisp from the past - Phileas Fogg's tortilla rolls had a similar feel to their crunch.

Nacho cheese is a flavour that should be so simple, but it seems is so easily floored. Too light on flavouring and there's no point, too intense and it's sickly as hell. I believe McCoy's have really pulled out their best cheese mixture on this one. A mature but creamy cheese flavouring with a good tang on the tongue, I imagine these would pair well with a nice tomtatoey salsa dip.

Nom nom nom.

9/10