The Chip Report

Do you guys remember back when Lay's unveiled the "Do Us A Flavor" 10 Semi finalists. IDK, if yall remember me saying that this flavor sounded so good that it should be a permanent flavor... but I did and I guess Walmart felt similarly. Right now, as a tie in to the "Do Us A Flavor" competition (That's stupid and weird btw Lay's), you can find the "Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Popper" flavor exclusively at Walmart. I don't know how limited the run of it will be, but it is a bag being carried by Walmart outside of the competition, so it could stay a store exclusive. That's weird, but I think Walmart got a good deal. These are a sure fire seller regardless of what they taste like.

So... if you want to try these, climb over the mountain of homeless people outside and make your way down the stinky aisles of Walmart to hunt these down. Who knows how much longer you'll be able to.

Happy Hunting!

BRUH. THESE ARE NASTY BRUH.

EW. I'm still coughing.
IDK what it is, but these got some funky dusty taste to them.
The pita chip is cooked well enough. Tastes like a well cooked pita chip... not too thick or too greasy (which I hate). But the seasoning is just funky. There was a LOT of hummus dipping going on with these.
I think it's the red pepper seasoning, it just has this dusty, lightly cheesy flavor. (Actually, that makes sense, Red Pepper is used in a lot of cheese substitutes to give them a more cheese like flavor). You get sweetness from the tomato. And spice coming through, again from the pepper. Ya, I guess my complaint with these is that slightly cheesy flavor, because it catches you off guard. The sweet tomato and spice would probably be really nice if not overpowered by that other note.  These just don't do it for me at all, I really didn't enjoy them. I put them out at a party, and they weren't really enjoyed by my guests either. So... MEH.

But what do you think? Have you had these before? Did you like them? What do you think of Lay's/Walkers making Pita Chips? Let us know in the comments below.

Sabritas Mexico is running a promotion right now, very similar to the "Flavor Swap" one Lay's USA launched in the first half of the year... the "Intercambio de Sabor" (aka Change of Flavor) promo pits 2 classic Sabritas Flavors against 2 new Flavors to see which chip fans prefer. The first face-off is between classic "Flamin' Hot" and the new "Ali Chili" which is flavored with Chile Manzano and inspired by Egypt. The second battle is between classic "Adobadas" and the new "Aci Thai" which is flavored with Chile Acidulce and inspired by Thailand. I'm guessing "Acidulce" means "Thai Sweet Chili"; which is a pretty popular chip flavor everywhere except here in the States. The Manzano or Apple Chili is a pepper that is similar to a Serrano in terms of heat. The new flavors did not fair well against the classics here in the US, and I doubt they will beat the classics in Mexico either... so consider these 2 new limited edition flavors and pick them up while you can!

PS. I can't understand how I almost missed this... CHECK OUT THE PACKAGING! The Egyptian inspired one bares the Chipsy Egypt logo, while the Thai one bares the Lay's Thailand logo. This is how the bags are being sold in Mexico. They are worth hunting down just for that novelty. Happy Hunting!!

Lay's Romania has some relatively new chips happening... the Lay's Strong collection. I would compare these to the Walker's MAX line in the UK, they are Ruffles chips with Stronger, Bolder seasonings.
The 3 flavors that have been released at launch are "Piri Piri" Pepper, "Hot Paprika", and "Wasabi". So if you love yourself some spice, make a pit stop in Romania and grab a bag!

Lay's USA debuted their newest batch of flavors just in time for the Super Bowl last Sunday, and this flavor here was made for it. It's perfect for a Sunny California day Barbecuing and throwing back Beers.
This is "Fiery Roasted Habanero" a flavor, being matched against the classic "Flamin Hot". Check it: I hate "Flamin Hot", I don't understand it as a flavor. It is full blown nuclear and reminds me of licking batteries. "Fiery Roasted Habanero" on the other hand, may be the best spicy flavor I've ever tried. Really. It's a Red Pepper and Tomato based flavor that is super tasty, and then after a moment, a creep of Habanero goes across your tongue until your whole mouth feels the heat. And to me, it never got overwhelming. It was Hot, for sure, but nothing someone with moderate heat tolerance couldn't endure.
The Lay's USA Potatoes have come a long way in the last few years, and the quality now is pretty good (not great, but good). So while the potato doesn't pack in a ton of flavor, it is still a good mass produced chip, and the awesome seasoning in this bag makes up for that. Overall, I think if you are a fan of heat, you have to give this bag a shot. The friends I shared this with, were all "Flamin Hot" mega fans, and they all agreed this bag blows "Flamin Hot" out of the water. Among 5 people the bag was gone in 10 minutes.
So, what do you think? Have you tried this flavor yet? Are you a heat fan? Will you be devastated to lose Flamin Hot, even if this flavor is better? Share your thoughts in the comments below :)

Walkers in the UK has also launched the Market Deli line I talked about the other day from Holland. They've got 3 of the same flavors "Balsamic Vinegar of Modena", "Flame Grilled Spanish Chorizo with Roasted Onion", and "Wiltshire Cured Ham, Mature Cheddar and Farmhouse Chutney". Plus 2 more flavors "Cornish Mature Cheddar" and "Anglesey Sea Salt". As I said before, the sophistication of the flavors makes these really exciting and unique in the world of Lay's.

Another differentiation between the UK range and Netherlands is the expansion into Pita Chips and Tortilla Chips. Even though I don't really mention these usually, I might as well cover the expanded range. The Pita Chips are available in "Roasted Garlic and Mediterranean Herbs"and "Sweet Roasted Red Pepper with English Tomato". The Tortilla Chips are flavored as "Roasted Red Chilli with Mediterranean Sundried Tomato" and "Anglesey Sea Salt with Cracked Black Pepper".

Real Talk: These are beautiful and I want them. That is all.

(Apparently this line came out first, and that's why it's a more comprehensive line than the Dutch one)


 Last little Bonus is that the Sensations line has added a new potato chip flavor in their "Gently Infused Lime with Thai Spices" flavor. Sounds literally perfect. Lime and spice go great together. The Sensations line has always been that more sophisticated line of Potato chip flavors from Lay's/ Walkers. And even with the new Market Deli collection, it still will be an elevated flavor experience from the run-of-the-mill chips. So this new flavor seems to just be a continuation of that experience.

Here's my first review of the bags that came out of Canada's most recent "Do Us A Flavour" contest. I'm starting off with "WAVY Jalapeño Mac N' Cheese" as this is the bag that has already been announced the winner and is still available across Canada. This bag was SO weird to me. When you pop it open the smell that hit you is DEFINITELY Bacon Mac N' Cheese... I was so confused. It smelled Bacon-y, Meaty, Cheesy, and Vinegary. I passed the bag around and asked; and everyone who tasted this with me agreed there was a mysteriously unexplainable meat smell. Beyond the smell, diving into the bag you see orange-y yellow Wavy chips that are cooked well. The flavor is Cheesy with a hint of spice. You get some subtle Jalapeño , but it reads more like a black pepper flavor that washes over the whole of your tongue. There is some sort of acidic brightness coming through, but I couldn't tell what it was. It didn't seem like Jalapeño. The overall flavor was muddied. Yes it had cheese and acid, but I wouldn't call this bag an accurate representation of Jalapeño x Mac & Cheese. The bag seemed like it was still in the testing phase or something, with it's meaty smell, and it's odd spicing and acidity. If you want to try it and see if you agree, the bag should be available for the next year on Canadian shelves. I was able to buy these online, so I'm sure you can find them with a little hunting. When you do, let us know your impressions in the comments section.

Lay's Canada has come out and chosen it's victor. Randall Litman, who came up with the "Wavy Jalepeno Mac N Cheese" flavor has won, his new flavor will stay on shelves in Canada for at least the next year and he wins a nice prize of $50,000 CAD Plus 1% of bag sales. Fantastic! Congrats Randall! This flavor sounds great to me, and I've just been able to pick up a bag and give it a taste.. so review coming soon.
If you are in Canada, definitely give this bag a taste, OR track down the other Do Us A Flavour contestants and give them a taste quickly before they are gone for good.

The Lay's Universe is getting a ton of use out of Lionel Messi, lol. Not only is he a spokesman for Lay's here in the US (you know you saw that adorable commercial with the old man sneaking a chip from Messi's bag during the World Cup, it was on like every 2 minutes), but the commercials have been reused in multiple countries (some poorly edit the bag to be red instead of the signature Yellow, and then they edit it to show a local celebrity with him, it's hilarious). Messi has also been all over Lay's Spain's bags and website for the last year or so. And Russia has this exact same picture of Messi on their "Mystery" flavored bags. Finally though, Messi's appearance actually ties into a collection of Soccer inspired flavors; justifying plastering arguably the greatest living soccer player on their bags. The 3 flavors are "Cheesy Jalepeno", "Apple Chilli", and "Tangy Herb". Chip fans can vote on their favorite of the 3 and are entered in for a chance to win a trip to see Messi 'play live'.
Pretty good use of his star power if you ask me.
However, in my opinion, NOT A ONE of these flavors actually sound good. I'm slightly intrigued by Apple Chilli... but really... how is that even a thing? I know India likes some 'loud' flavors, but these flavors are screaming. India does take a bit of this into account though... as they make all their chips in "Ruffles" form. "Ruffles" do stand up to much more flavor, so they're probably a'ight.

So, would you call these Soccer inspired flavors? Or does it look like a chance to hock some chips in the name of Messi? Would you go out of your way to try one of these? Have you tried em?
Let us know down below...

With South Africa releasing the "pOpped" line and the UK releasing their own "pOps" line... I figured it was time to talk about our newly repackaged line of Lay's "Air pOps" and what the heck an Air Popped Chip actually is.

So to begin, here's the glamour shots...

The UK's Walkers' line called "pOps" featuring "Prawn Cocktail", "Melted Cheese & Crispy Bacon", "Original", and "Sour Cream & Onion".
And lastly, the lovely new packaging on the US's "air pOps", which come in "Sour Cream & Onion, "Original", "Barbeque", and "Salt & Vinegar".

So, what are air-popped chips and why are these collections pOpping up everywhere?
Air-popped chips are made in the EXACT same way rice cakes are made. Instead of grains of rice; lumps of potato flakes and starch are hydrated, pressurized, heated, depressurized, and then they fuse together. Presto! No need to fry, or bake, or anything. And while that leaves you with a chip that is 50% less fattening when compared to traditional chips, it also leaves you with a chip that strangely tastes exactly like a rice cake. And honestly, when compared to other reduced fat options, there are definitely tastier alternatives out there.
So, why are they so popular? In 2007, "Popchips" hit the market and quickly became a major competitor in the US potato chip market. The company had great packaging, loads of advertising, celebrity endorsers, and a healthier product. Not to mention a range that includes at least 7 flavors, 3 tortilla chips offerings, and some veggie chips. The company single-handedly created a niche market within chips. Brands like "Popcorners"and "Special K" followed the puffed chip fad, and it eventually led to Lay's introducing their own "air pOps". "air pOps" has done well, with the line even expanding to include another flavor. So it's no surprise that the line is appearing in countries like the Netherlands, the UK, and South Africa now.

But, is this a genuine potato chip? In my opinion, much like Pringles (or Lay's Stax) uses potato flakes and starch to manufacture their chips that aren't really chips; air-popped chips are not really chips. They are a potato snack alternative. BUT while Pringles and Stax at least pack tons of potato flavor, Popchips and Air pOps taste exactly like the name suggests... AIR.
To me, the flavor is the most important thing, and these air-popped chips are not even in the same league as traditional chips when it comes to flavor. Let's keep it REAL, if you are eating puffed up potato chips with little nutritional value and loads of sodium to save a few calories, then your eating habits are already FKD up. You are NOT going to lose weight eating salted potato puffs. Sorry. (#SorryNotSorry). Potato chips are a treat, a treat that should be eaten in moderation. When it's time for my treat, on the occasion that I'm going to indulge in potato chips, I want them to taste AWESOME. I don't want to eat chips that remind me of the real chips that I'm not eating. And I paid for too much school to be fooled into thinking that if I eat a bag of fake chips every day at lunch, that it will equate to the wonderful occasional joy of eating real potato chips.

With the wealth of Chip-info (or Chipfo, if you will) out in the Universe, sometimes I miss things. I could make excuses (like that I broke my computer last Christmas and it had all my bookmarks and quote "research" on it)... but I won't ;p
Instead, I have created a new Post heading; "OK Here's Some Late News"! "OK Here's Some Late News" will basically be all the chip lines that I haven't talked about because they've been around for a while and haven't added new chips, or in the case of today's article, the new chips came out around Christmas (coincidence??) and I just flat out missed it. I want to always be able to share the most up to date, recent news... but if something gets past me, I still want you guys to know about it, even if it is late. So, hopefully, "OK Here's Some Late News" won't be too common of an article here at The Chip Report, but it's something I think we will need from time to time.

So now that you two have met....
let's get to the show.

Margarita looks like they are the only country doing a third round in their World Cup tie-in contest, but they've saved some strong contenders for Round 3.

The international flavors keep coming as the World Cup approaches! The Netherlands is making the most of the situation by offering up 3 limited time flavors inspired by Australia, Spain, and Chile. First off is "Ozzie BBQ" which is described as the Unique Grilled taste from Down Under. Then Spain's "Aioli Olé" for the Garlic Aioli lovers out there. And finally, Chile's "Chilly Chili" a slightly spicy mix of Peppers and a not so slightly overdone pun. "We Vreten Ze Op" translates to "We Eat Them Up" or "We Devour Them Up" and is just a label given to the limited collection of flavors. But that Lion sure does remind me of the Simba Lion from South Africa... am I right?

Lovely... Now how can I track them down??

Lay's Netherlands is getting into the Popchips game with their own air-popped line of chips. The line is launching now with just 2 flavors; "Paprika" and "Crispy Bacon & Cheese"... Both of which sound DELICIOUS! If you haven't tried air-popped chips yet they kind of tasted like inflated Catholic church crackers with seasoning on top. Should be interesting to see if these do well in Europe and make their way here to the States, but honestly, it would be tough to compete against Popchips over here. Anywho... keep the hunt alive... good luck!

 Lay's Peru has announced the 3 finalists in their current Create-a-Flavor contest; Un Sabor Para Ganar.
The 3 Flavors announced are "Con Toques De Oregano Y Queso", "Aji Peruano", and "A La Parrilla". Peruvians can go on Lay's Website in Peru and vote for their favorite starting today, and the winner will be available on shelves for a year. The finalists chosen were able to go online earlier this year and create their flavor and also had the fun opportunity to choose the bag color too.

 Alexander came up with "A La Parilla". "A La Parrilla" means 'On The Grill' or 'Grilled' or 'Barbecue', and I'm guessing by the picture we are talking about Beef. This bag is made a bit more unique by being "Ondas" which is Peru's version of "Ruffles".
 Maria's creation is "Con Toques De Oregano Y Queso" which means "Touch of Oregano and Cheese". That sounds tremendous! Yum! I love Oregano! Maria says she thought of it because her kids love the smell of melted cheese and oregano on Pizza night. Listen, I don't know a single person on earth who doesn't love that smell. I hope, for the sake of Peru that this tastes as good as it sounds. MMM.
Lastly we have Cesar's concoction "Aji Peruano". Peruvian Aji are Peppers native to Peru. Lay's Peru does actually already make this flavor in their "Peruanísimas" line, a line of chips made with native potatoes, in this case yellow, but sometimes blue, etc. That line is devoted to native Peruvian flavors and ingredients. But it looks like Cesar's flavor will bring that inspiration to the standard Lay's line.

Right now in Guatemala, Original flavor Lay's come with a packet of Tajin seasoning. Tajin is a seasoning from Mexico, it's made up of dried Chile peppers, dehydrated lime, and salt. It has a tangy flavor, and here in California people love to eat it on fruit (I often find it packaged inside my pre-sliced Mango containers with a fresh slice of lime).
The cool thing about this is that we can replicate it here in US, so if you are up for it, grab a bag of plain "Original" Lay's, and you can find Tajin at most shops that carry Mexican food. Just open the bag, season, and shake!

Have you already had this combo? Did you just now try it? Let us know how you like it in the comments below!

These aren't chips, so I don't know how I feel about them, but they are New and currently available in Belgium. They are Oven baked Biscuits and come in 2 flavors, Tomato & Spring Onion, and Paprika & Mediterranean Herbs. They've got 40% less fat than other comparable biscuits, because they are baked. I love crackers and these actually sound DELICIOUS (mmm with some nice cheese, om nom nom). But it's interesting they are under the Lay's brand. Not too far of a reach though, so who knows, if they do well in Belgium maybe we can get them here in the states ;p

Two New Flavors!!! The lucky kids in India just got French Salt & Cracked Pepper AND Chile Limon, a double release. So Jealous. They are fairly straight forward, Chile Limon is a flavor we have here in the states and also I've seen it in a lot of middle eastern countries. Here in the States, its one of my faves, its spicy and sour but in the end it is all balanced out and tastes great on chips. Salt and Pepper is also fairly straight forward, most countries have some type of Salt and Pepper chip. We have it offered here in the States in the Kettle Cooked range. I don't love the US variety because to me it was all pepper and no salt, but I can't say that India's would have that problem. It's nice to see India is always willing to have a huge line of different products, they seem to always be expanding. Congrats India! PS, as always in India, Lay's come standard as Ruffles. They will always be Ruffle-cut unless they say otherwise. Just a tip incase you are looking to hunt these down :)

Have you ever been snacking on potato chips and wished you had a sommolier in your pocket to guide you on which wine to best pair it with? ME TOO!
Now Lay's Netherlands has taken the stress out of wine pairing your chips by creating this fun and useful guide! This guide pairs the 5 flavors of baked Lay's available in The Netherlands with complimentary wines.
These will probably be comparable to the baked offerings in whatever country you live in also, but because the potato flavor is so different between Baked and Fried I couldn't really tell you if they would pair well with regular Lay's.
So here is what they came up with...

-Barbecue flavored Baked Lay's pair well with Solid Reds such as Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon
-Cheese and Onion flavored Baked Lay's pair well with Round and Full Whites such as Alsace or Chardonnay
-Bell Pepper flavored Baked Lay's pair well with Fragrant Whites such as Pinot Grigio or Viognier
-Plain Salted Baked Lay's pair well with Crispy, Fresh Whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Rueda
-Mediteranean Herbs flavored Baked Lay's pair well with Dry Rosés such as Languedoc or Navarra

Have you ever paired Wine and Potato Chips? Let us know what combo worked for you in the comments below!