Product Review: Pringles Pumpkin Pie Spice

These were given to me today by a co-worker who knows my affinity for unusual potato chips.  I'm pretty sure she is at least part elf, as she is very short, and wants to put maple syrup on everything.

I definitely taste the pumpkin pie spice right away, nutmeg and a little cinnamon.  The potato and salt hit my tongue on the finish.  After eating on this canister sporadically throughout the day, I have reached this conclusion:  I don't like them.

To be fair, I just don't like mixing sweet and salty very much.  I don't like kettle corn style popcorn, for example.  I like my chips to be salty.  I'm also not a pumpkin pie enthusiast either. 

My wife really likes them, so I guess it is subjective.  If you like sweet and salty mixed, or if you really like pumpkin pie, these are good for you.  Not for me.

Rating: 3 out of 5 ghosts. 

Shameless Self Promotion

I got my first bass guitar when I was sixteen years old.  My best friend Adam Randall had been learning to play acoustic six-string guitar the year before.  As soon as I could play a little, I called him up and said, "Wanna jam?" Ever since then we have played music together in some form or another. Dozens of songs, and 4 independently released albums.

What's my point?  Well, we're working on a new album and looking for financial help via www.kickstarter.com. Think of it as a way to pre-order a great indie folk-rock album, as well as supporting a talented local Florida artist.  Watch this and enjoy!

(note: if the video below is not working, click HERE.)

Product Review: Hot Potatoes's Spicy Bloody Mary Potato Chips

Take a minute and read this description that is inscribed on the side of the bag: Spicy Bloody Mary Potato Chips.  Notice the word "HOT," so big and bold.  Sounds exciting, doesn't it?  Unfortunately, just like the kickin' jalapeno ranch chips from Ruffles, the flavor did not live up to the hype.

These are kettle chips, so they are super crunchy and shaped in a variety of lumpy, swirly curls.  The flavor is a mild tomato taste, which my wife says tastes like V8 juice.  (I've never tried V8 because I don't like tomatoes, but I don't mind the flavor of these chips.)  After that, there was a very mild spicy afterburn.  Very, very mild.  And therein lies the problem.

Based on the bold wording and fiery colors of the package, I was expecting my tongue to burst into flames, or something equally as dramatic.  However, the flavors that were there were just barely there.  These chips aren't bad.  If I had just tried them without expecting 'HOT SPICY BLOODY MARY,' I would have liked them more.  I am just a victim of false expectations, I suppose.

Rating: 3 out of 5 ghosts.

Song of the Day: Sun Kil Moon "Carry Me, Ohio"

After receiving some complaints about the lack of music on my blog, I've decided to add a song that I've recently become obsessed with: Sun Kil Moon's "Carry Me, Ohio."  Please... enjoy!

(BTW, this is audio only)

Product vs Product: Sweet Heat Battle!

VS

 You are in for a special treat, folks!  Because I was given two similar themed bags of chips, I decided to do the first ever product versus product battle royale!  Prepare for... SWEET HEAT BATTLE!!!!!!!!!  Sylvia's Restaurant Honey Jalapeno Chips vs Cape Cod Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno Kettle Chips.

Round 1: Texture.  Sylvia's chips were light and crispy.  The Cape Cod chips are "kettle cooked," which are thicker and crunchier than your standard chips.  I'm a fan of kettle chips, so this round goes to Cape Cod.

Round 2: Flavor.  Both of these chips had a decent afterburn from the jalapeno.  The main difference is found in the sweet aspect.  Sylvia's chips have a surprisingly strong flavor of honey, which, also surprisingly, paired extremely well with the spiciness of the jalapeno.  Cape Cod, however, really had no overt sweetness to it, just that faint, mild sweetness most kettle chips have.  This round goes to Sylvia's hands down.

Winner:  Sylvia's Restaurant Honey Jalapeno Chips by a landslide!  So good.

Product Review: Wise Cheez Waffies

This is the first time since I started this blog that a snack actually made me recoil in disgust.  The bag has the audacity to display the phrase "deliciously crispy."  Lies.  LIES!!!

The "cheese sandwich" consists of two sweet, waffle flavored chips with a quarter-inch thick layer of artificial, neon orange "cheez" in between them.  (see below)

The "cheez" is just plain gross.  The texture of it made my stomach turn.  On top of that, the flavor was just so super-tangy and artificial... I'm actually shuddering at the memory.

The "cheez" failed, but the waffle chips themselves were actually pretty tasty.  Very light and thin, with a sweet, sugary flavor. They should just sell the chips by themselves.

If you are willing to take the time to scrape off 95% of the orange abomination, this might be tolerable.  Might.  Unfortunately, I am not willing in the slightest.

Rating: 1 out of 5 ghosts.

Product Review: Herr's Old Bay Potato Chips

This is a pretty straightforward offering from the good folks at Herr's.  Potato chips seasoned with Old Bay seasoning.  Boom.  The challenge for me here is how to describe the flavor of Old Bay to somebody who has never tasted it.

There are a lot of strong flavors going on in each chip.  Vegetable (tomato), citrus, vinegar, and paprika definitely stand out, as well the standard saltiness found in all potato chips.

The first 3 or 4 handfuls tasted really good.  However, after that, the flavoring became so strong that it began to taste unpleasant.  My wife experienced the same thing.  I wound up taking the rest of the bag to work, and my coworkers all said the same thing.  I guess there really can be too much of a good thing.

I have a friend who puts Old Bay seasoning on everything.  If you are that guy, then you need to try these chips.  Otherwise, I recommend you eat these in moderation. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 ghosts.