Product: Boulder Canyon Jalapeño Cheddar Kettle Chips – $1.70+
Preface to this blog…I am a spice-seeker. I love a bit of heat in my food. Especially when something is made for a little extra fire. I don’t want burn. I want spice. There is a difference.
Last year while in Los Angeles, my friends and I were out snack shopping before a night of drinks, music, and goofiness. Being the only gluten-free girl in the group, we tried to find things that even I could have. And one of the chip varieties we grabbed from the grocery store…was Boulder Canyon. It wasn’t this flavor…but that was my introduction to this brand. The bag was clearly labeled gluten-free…which I appreciated. And…all but two of their flavors are gluten-free. Each bag is clearly labeled so there is no confusion.
Let’s hear it for labeling! WOOHOO!
Imagine my joy, then, when I was out at the store in town and spotted Boulder Canyon Kettle Chips on the shelf. While we have had these in the area for awhile…what really caught my attention was the flavor: Jalapeño Cheddar.
Now…I am a sucker for anything that is labeled jalapeño. That is issuing a spice-worthy challenge, my dear friends. So, you better believe these found their way into my shopping basket and were out the door with me when I checked out. I was so excited about trying them. But…as always, they tend to have to wait until I use up other products first.
But their time to shine has finally arrived.
I measured out 28 ounces (about 14 chips) of these fantastic kettle chips to take to work with me for my afternoon muchies. Like clockwork…at 3:00 p.m. I was totally stoked about popping the lid off my dish I brought them in. I carefully selected my first chip, took a breath, and then took a bite.
What I expected was the sweetness of a kettle chip. That I got. I got a little bit of salty from the chip and the cheddar cheese. But what I didn’t get was the heat. Here we have a chip that is clearly flavored with jalapeño…and I don’t even get an inkling of it. No slight burn at the end of the bite. No spice. Nothing. It just tastes like…a chip.
Apparently the jalapeño powder and red pepper was a little light in this batch. No spice…no heat…no nothing. Lots of crunch and a bit of cheese.
Not a complete disappointment though…the chips are good. Packed with flavor (minus the spice) and really crunchy and good. I loved how they weren’t too salty and were not greasy. That’s a huge thing with me. I just feel that if something is advertised as having that jalapeño kick…it really should leave your throat with a little spicy tingle. Or…maybe that’s just me.
As for nutrition…these are chips…so…yean. One serving is only 150 calories, with 8 grams of fat. Not great…but not bad. Not in the grand scheme of things. They are low in sodium though, which isn’t always the case when it comes to potato chips. Just remember…keep to a serving size and don’t down the entire bag. I mean…these are good, but…be snack smart. Especially when it comes to chips.
So, the spice let me down, but the chips themselves are actually quite good. If you aren’t a fan of spice, then you won’t have to fear these. My roommate, who is a wimp when it comes to spicy foods ate this without a problem. Loved that it didn’t have any heat or burn to it. So, if you are a lover of flavor but heat-meek…these might be the ideal chip for you. And you’ll impress your friends by telling them the chips you are crunching on…are jalapeño flavor.
I don’t count Boulder Canyon out. I have had massive luck with other flavors from their line (which I haven’t blogged about because they were actually my roomie’s snack…not mine). And these are actually quite good in and of themselves. So…I would buy them again. And maybe spice them up with a dip of some sort.
Happy munching!
The Celiathlete 