The most important vote of the year
We are not talking the election of the new US president. We are not talking the possibility of a general election in the UK before 2009 is out. We are talking the vote to find the nation's favourite new crisp flavour from Walkers http://www.walkers.co.uk/
Yes, I am trying to lose weight but seriously I could not let something as important as choosing a new flavour to be on general sale go by without trying and voting for myself. . Yes I eat far too much sweet stuff for my own good but I am a savoury girl really. And as for cashew nuts with black pepper - don't expect me to share, OK?
I can remember my exact location on first tasting Walkers crisps. I was aged 4 or less and was sitting on the front step of the house of a girl who lived down the road from me at the time (whose name I have now forgotten). We didn't play together much but it was summer and we were sitting on the front step and her Mum gave us a pack of ready salted to share. I have never had crisps before (Mum & Dad obviously thought I could be sheltered from them). I thought they were heaven and ran home to tell Mum all about these wonderful things. Even though I was young I remember her looking at Dad and saying that I might be allowed some occasionally. I knew it was a conspiracy.
As for flavours I still prefer ready salted - although salt and black pepper is a close second (usually pricey crisps though). Then salt and vinegar. Somebody (was it Brannigan's?) brought out a roast beef and mustard flavour some years ago which I loved because it was really just english mustard flavour - and I love english mustard. You don't see those anymore, do you? Very occasionally I'll have prawn cocktail flavour (that has no resemblance to the flavour of prawn cocktail) but like Seabrooks the best for this flavour.
I hearby give my feelings on the new possibilities given by Walkers. In order of preference.
Onion Bhaji
Far and away the best and I have been and voted. It tastes like what it claims to be and in a blind testing would be identifiable I feel.
Crispy duck and hoisin sauce
It did just about taste of this but I had to concentrate hard to get the flavour. Don't know that I would have picked it up in blind tasting. Felt it could have been stronger. Having said this I had a horrible aftertaste of additives/flavourings for the rest of the afternoon, so probably wouldn't have wanted it any stronger. Wouldn't buy this again.
Builder's breakfast
These had a definite porky taste, and possibly the slight tang of tomato ketchup but it wouldn't be a flavour I'd want to buy.
Cajun squirrel
Well yes - cajun spice flavour. These were fine but I'm not a cajun flavour fan, so wouldn't buy these either. On pure taste (guessing if blind tasting) these would probably be 3rd.
Fish & Chips
These tasted of vinegar and smelt slightly of fish. Could not taste anything other than vinegar - and I'd buy salt and vinegar if I wanted that. Waste of time.
Chilli and chocolate
Now I know there are very expensive chocolates that contain chilli and they are a delicacy. But I do not do chilli in any form whatsoever. I have a miniscule chilli tolerance level. However, even if this was not the case, I don't think there is any way you can justify chocolate being a flavour for a savoury snack. It is just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I managed two crisps of this flavour before binning the packet. Seriously FOUL.
Anyone else tried them?
Yes, I am trying to lose weight but seriously I could not let something as important as choosing a new flavour to be on general sale go by without trying and voting for myself. . Yes I eat far too much sweet stuff for my own good but I am a savoury girl really. And as for cashew nuts with black pepper - don't expect me to share, OK?
I can remember my exact location on first tasting Walkers crisps. I was aged 4 or less and was sitting on the front step of the house of a girl who lived down the road from me at the time (whose name I have now forgotten). We didn't play together much but it was summer and we were sitting on the front step and her Mum gave us a pack of ready salted to share. I have never had crisps before (Mum & Dad obviously thought I could be sheltered from them). I thought they were heaven and ran home to tell Mum all about these wonderful things. Even though I was young I remember her looking at Dad and saying that I might be allowed some occasionally. I knew it was a conspiracy.
As for flavours I still prefer ready salted - although salt and black pepper is a close second (usually pricey crisps though). Then salt and vinegar. Somebody (was it Brannigan's?) brought out a roast beef and mustard flavour some years ago which I loved because it was really just english mustard flavour - and I love english mustard. You don't see those anymore, do you? Very occasionally I'll have prawn cocktail flavour (that has no resemblance to the flavour of prawn cocktail) but like Seabrooks the best for this flavour.
I hearby give my feelings on the new possibilities given by Walkers. In order of preference.
Onion Bhaji
Far and away the best and I have been and voted. It tastes like what it claims to be and in a blind testing would be identifiable I feel.
Crispy duck and hoisin sauce
It did just about taste of this but I had to concentrate hard to get the flavour. Don't know that I would have picked it up in blind tasting. Felt it could have been stronger. Having said this I had a horrible aftertaste of additives/flavourings for the rest of the afternoon, so probably wouldn't have wanted it any stronger. Wouldn't buy this again.
Builder's breakfast
These had a definite porky taste, and possibly the slight tang of tomato ketchup but it wouldn't be a flavour I'd want to buy.
Cajun squirrel
Well yes - cajun spice flavour. These were fine but I'm not a cajun flavour fan, so wouldn't buy these either. On pure taste (guessing if blind tasting) these would probably be 3rd.
Fish & Chips
These tasted of vinegar and smelt slightly of fish. Could not taste anything other than vinegar - and I'd buy salt and vinegar if I wanted that. Waste of time.
Chilli and chocolate
Now I know there are very expensive chocolates that contain chilli and they are a delicacy. But I do not do chilli in any form whatsoever. I have a miniscule chilli tolerance level. However, even if this was not the case, I don't think there is any way you can justify chocolate being a flavour for a savoury snack. It is just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I managed two crisps of this flavour before binning the packet. Seriously FOUL.
Anyone else tried them?