We will repeat the same write-up for our California Chips bag design reviews because we haven't got anything good to say. The company have re-designed their packaging from a striking bright yellow bag with an equally sunny and bright company logo, to a picture of an old barbecue with a few Chips at the bottom of the image. We like the color coded top and bottom, but that is all, and in this case the top bar clashes with the hot coals. As we do not have anything more positive to say, we will stop there.
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Crunch
We go over the Chips or Crisps debate at length on this website, and these California Chips are a great advertisement for the UK name. They were 'Crisp' to the bite. Too thin in parts to provide a solid crunch - the crispy snap was more noticeable. That isn't a criticism, it just takes a handful to notice any sort of crunch.
Texture
A mix of shapes and sizes, many with potato skin edges, which you should find in a bag of 'All Natural Chips'. There were some extra large bubbles on the surface, which probably explained how there were a few more than necessary broken Chips in the bag. Without wishing to sound too sciency; the hot oil separates a sliced potato into two thinner sides during expansion which weakens the tensile strength. The seasoning and finger residue seemed a little overly greasy and hands were left a bit mucky.
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Taste
The Nose Plunge Test revealed a delicate barbecue aroma when the bag was opened. There was a sweet, somewhat tangy flavor to the Chips, but it wasn't a striking or stand out flavor. Again, California Chips seem to add a caveat with the flavor naming - Honey BBQ provides the eater with only one searchable flavor - Honey. Bee juice was not exactly brimming, but we would be satisfied with just agreeing it was sweet. As for 'BBQ', not so much.