Cape Cod Robust Russet

At first glance, you might think you have a bad batch of chips as they come out a obviously dark brown color. But this is actually the natural color of the robust russet potato when cooked, as it has a higher sugar content than your standard chips. But fear not, as it takes nothing away from these fantastic chips.

The taste is relatively unique, with a slightly raw, earthy taste to them. And they are complimented nicely by the salt that has been added to them. This is a very nice chip to try, and is something I could seeing being used to introduce somebody to the more exotic chips that are out there.

The crunch on these chips is fantastic, and exactly what I expect from a kettle cooked chip. Every bite generates a hard crunch, but not enough to make the chip overly brittle.

I’m not sure if it is the robust russet they use for the chip or not, but the chip is unusually dry. In fact, it took me a little bit to find the grease that was there.

Overall, the Cape Cod Robust Russet chip is a fantastic chip, on par with some of the best chips out there that I have had. From the unique taste, the fantastic crunch, this chip is a winner. And if you are wanting a chip to use as a gateway to some of the more exotic chips that are out there, then this is a great chip to start with.

popchips sea salt and vinegar

If you saw my previous comment on ThrallMind’s post about the popchips Salt and Pepper chips, then you saw that popchips was nice enough to send us some of their chips to try. And of course, you know about my love for salt and vinegar chips. So of course, I had to try the popchips sea salt and vinegar chips.

When I opened the bag, the smell of salt and vinegar hit me and made me immediately want to start eating away. The taste of the chips has the bite I was looking for in the vinegar, and the slight sweetness of the sea salt. However, while the flavor is strong and pleasant, it lacks that little bit of saltiness the makes you want to reach for another chip.

The crunch on these, like the other popchips I have tried, are fantastic. And because they are air popped, the grease is non-existent. Even the bits of flavor that would usually stick to your fingers doesn’t exist.

Overall, I have been impressed with the popchip products I have tried, and look forward to trying the rest of their flavors. Definitely a brand of chip I will look for the next time I am out.

Kettle Brand Sea Salt and Vinegar

Once again, my love for salt and vinegar has over taken me, and I dive into yet another bag. This time however, without the same results.

The bag contains a very distinct and powerful vinegar smell when opened. While not surprising to find this, the strength of the smell was. After biting into the first chip, it became evident that it was not just the smell of vinegar that was overpowering, but also the taste. Unfortunately, when it comes to salt and vinegar chips, an overpowering vinegar taste is too much. And while the vinegar taste is too much, the salt that is desperately needed to counter it is missing as well.

As with all Kettle Brand potato chips, these are kettle cooked for extra crunch. Or at least, I think they are. While I always like the crunch of a kettle cooked chip, these seemed lacking on almost every respect. In fact, I would think that this were just a thick cut potato chip, fried like any other, if not for the Kettle Brand on the outside of the bag.

Overall, I would say a slightly disappointing effort that well missed the mark in both taste, and crunch, which is disappointing for a chip by Kettle Brand. Hopefully their other chips will fare better.

Flat Earth Garlic and Herb

Well this is something a little different this time. I decided to move a little off the beaten path and move from potato chips, to a veggie chip. One of the first things I noticed was the little blurb on the package stating “1/2 serving real veggies in each ounce.” I’m not sure how much is a good thing, but figured I eat so many damn potato chips, that anything healthy I can add can’t be all together bad.

And of course, I had to see exactly what the ingredients are in these things. Rice Flour, Potato Flakes and Dried Vegetable Blend of Pumpkin, Tomato Paste and Onion look make up the majority of the chip, and where I have to believe it gets its vegetable servings from.

At first sniff, the herb is surprisingly strong and inviting. The taste has just the smallest hints of garlic, with the sweetness of the herb. A very pleasant taste, that seems to be unique to these chips. But while the taste is pleasant, after a few chips, it becomes bland and stale.

As much as I wanted to like these chips, there just wasn’t anything to make them memorable to me. And with every chip, I liked them less and less.

While the crunch of these is not bad, it isn’t on par for the crunch I would expect from even the most common of chip.

If looking for a healthier alternative to your traditional potato chip, then definitely give these chips a try, but I suggest you either try them in small doses, or you use them with a dip, although that would just remove the benefit of eating them to begin with.

PooreBrothersJalapeno

My second bag of Poore Brothers while I am still in Denver, and I decided to take it up a notch and try something just a little bit spicier, and go with their Jalapeno chips. After tasting their fantastic Salt & Vinegar chips, I had great hopes for what they might bring to these chips. Unfortunately, perhaps those chips set the bar too high, but these chips failed to live up to my expectations.

While the taste has the distinct bite and taste of jalapeno chips that you would come to expect, it also shocked me by having a very salty taste to them as well. While the jalapeno taste is there, it is overpowered by the saltiness, and drags the chip down. With every chip, the taste gets more distinct and more powerful, but unfortunately, so does the salt.

The grease was slightly greater than the grease in the Salt and Vinegar, with a noticeable layer inside the bag. Not enough to make me not want to eat them, but enough to take notice. The crunch was even a little off from what was expected and not on par with the Salt & Vinegar I reviewed earlier.

The heat on this is very mild. I would place it at 2 for the slight bite I feel on my tongue as I eat them.

Overall, while they are a pleasant chip, they fail in the execution by not having a distinct jalapeno flavor, and for being very salty.

Popchips - Salt and Pepper

I first noticed Popchips when I went to Dragon*Con. Since I review Potato Chips, I had no choice (well, I did, but I love chips. What can I say?) but to buy and try them. I brought the bag to the register, sat down on a bench, and opened the bag. Slowly and excitedly I reached in and pulled out a chip. The chip itself was very light and airy and speckled with little bits of pepper. As always, I smelled it first. Not too overpowering. You definitely knew it was a pepper chip. Finally, I took a bite. The first thing I noticed is the chip had an amazing crunch. It wasn’t hard and crumbly, or soft and soggy. It was more like it had a “snap.” Awesome. The second thing I noticed was the flavour. The black pepper and salt. It flowed through my mouth like a delicious wave. It wasn’t so much flavour that I felt overwhelmed as with some chips. It was done just right. The perfect harmony of salt and pepper. The third thing that hit me was the chip itself. It didn’t have a greasy aftertaste, or any bad aftertaste at all. It was just right. It left the pepper taste in my mouth to complement each additional chip, making it that much more yummy. Expect more reviews for Popchips in the future and keep an eye on ‘em. You wont be disappointed.

Poor Brothers Old English Salt And Vinegar

I stumbled on the Poore Brothers brand of potato chips while shopping at a Walgreens in the Denver area. And me, being a sucker for different chips, and lover of Salt & Vinegar, just could not let the chance to try another chip go to waste.

Once the bag is opened, the first wiff is the bite of the vinegar on the chips. Not overpowering, but lets you know what you are getting in to with the chip. The first taste immediately hits you with the slight saltiness of the chip, and the tangy bite of the vinegar. These two seem to be, dare I say, perfectly balanced, to make you want another. And another. And another. Lay’s may challenge to “Eat Just One”, but in this instance, every bite of these Poore Brothers chips invites you to have another.

The crunch is exactly where you would expect it to be, especially with a kettle cooked chip. A firm, satisfying, crisp crunch, that lets you know that you are biting into a chip you will remember, and that makes you want another. The greasiness is almost as perfect as the rest of the chip, but it in no way takes away from the chip.

Overall, this is perhaps, the best Salt & Vinegar chip I have eaten. Period.

Cheerio!

New Doritos Collisions

Doritos has recently introduced a new Doritos Collisions flavor called Cheesy Enchilada and Sour Cream. According to Doritos, these complimentary flavors were top picks in recent teen panels.

The Cheesy Enchilada and Sour Cream Collisions will join the ranks of Pizza Cravers and Ranch, and Zesty Taco and Chipolte Ranch Collisions.

Let me know if you start seeing these in your stores!

Lays Kettle Cooked Creamy Queso & Salsa

What’s not to love about the combination of queso and salsa?  Apparently the people at Lays thought the same thing, and decided to throw this combination of flavors together.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel like they have put much thought into it, except to add the cheddar cheese flavor and the salsa flavor to a chip and call it a day.  There is a slight cheese taste with a small salsa kick which isn’t that bad actually.  However, instead of a unique flavor, you get the combination of two different flavors that just doesn’t quite do the flavors justice, and is making that kick that should make it stand out.

The crunch is what is to be expected from a lays kettle cooked chip, and the amount of grease is on par with their other kettle cooked chips.  While I have noticed that the smaller brands due tend to have a better crunch, these chips offer a respectable amount of pleasant crunch.

Overall, while a very nice taste and perfectly acceptable chip for those looking for something a little different, Lays dropped the ball on this one and what they could of offered us.

Last year’s number one SuperBowl commercial was a fan made advertisement for Doritos.

[youtube AAoEfSHkc9U]

This year, Dorito’s is taking it up a notch, by not only offering cash money (yeah, yeah) if your video gets ranked in the top three of the SuperBowl commercials this year, but an additional $1 million if the Doritos commercials sweep the top three spots.  Just for being selected as a finalist will net you SuperBowl tickets and $25,000, while place in the top three will net you an additional $400,000 for third, $600,000 for second, and cool (ranch) $1,000,000 for first.

Check out the official website at CrashTheSuperBowl.com.

Dorito’s Press Release