Lay's Tapatio Salsa Picante Limon Potato ChipsReview
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Nutrition
Bag Calories Fat Saturated Salt Sugars
28g 160 10g 1.5g 140mg 1g
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Verdict
Bag
Judging by some of the latest designs from smaller companies, it appears that Lay's are allowed to design for the whole Chips & Crisps industry. As seen with so many, there is a giant logo, a photographic image of a few Chips, and the flavoring or seasoning - In this case, a lime with the Tapatio logo and central character image. The advantage Lay's have over their rivals is of course the most recognisable brand on the market. Even their overseas companies have the same logo, but with their brand name on the red banner. Lay's could actually have a plain, flavor color coded bag with the name of the flavor and their logo, and sell no fewer bags of Chips. However, this is far from innovative packaging. It is actually as basic as it can be while still remaining modern and evocative. Fortunately, not all smaller companies take Lay's lead. It is therefore to them, that we have to look for exciting and interesting bag designs.
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Crunch
These Chips were well soaked with oil, so they had become more brittle than some regular Chips. This in turn led to a good, crispy crunch. They melted a little too quickly in the mouth, but there was certainly a crispy snap to the Chips.
Texture
A nicely air filed bag provided a majority holding of complete and whole Chips. As with any bag of regular thinly cut Chips, it is always nice to see fewer broken bag constituents than you might expect. There was not much in the way of oil bubbling surface texture, apart from some random small vesicles here and there. There was also a thick rub of orange seasoning.
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Taste
A Nose Plunge Test revealed a peppery, hot sauce aroma. Lay's have done more than most to tap into the American Hispanic market, not to mention the potential of cross-border sales. They have introduced a number of Limon related flavors over the years and this is another. Tapatio is a successful hot sauce manufacturer, so it is presumed that they were in agreement with the flavor when the food science folk at Lay's presented it to them. So, who are we to argue? However, Lime? A sour flavoring mixed with oily hot saucy potato. It seemed a tad over-ruling in the partnership to us. Tapatio may have been happy with that, but it was not to our satisfaction. Any combo pairing should balance. Neither should rule the other (especially if it's Lime!)