Product: RiceWorks Parmesan & Sundried Tomato Brown Rice Crisps – $3.29+
Every afternoon while at work, I usually treat myself to a nice salty-sort of snack. Normally it’s snack crackers, a granola bar, or some gluten-free chips. This past week, I was up to a new product that I pulled from my pantry of assorted gluten-free goodies that I bought while they were on sale. And the next up was one that I was eager to try since I picked them up at the store.
RiceWorks Gourmet Brown Rice Crisps. These chips are all 100% gluten-free. They have even been tested by the company, who insists they ue good manufacturing practices in their plant and with their suppliers. While the plants are not dedicated gluten-free, the lines that are used to manufacture these chips are.
With that sort of an endorsement by the company itself, I was definitely willing to give these chips a fair shake. After all…I love the flavors in the package I found at the store.
I mean…Parmesan & Sundried Tomato. Yeah. Delicious, right? I love both of those things…so combine them and it’s sure to be a gluten-free gourmet chip party in my mouth, yes?
Well…that’s what I thought.
Under the impression that this flavor would sweep me away to the Mediterranean with its flavor combination and excite my palate in ways the Mediterranean probably only could…I was eagerly waiting for 3:00 p.m. to strike so I could break into my snack at the office. When it came around, I snagged my container, which contained a full portion (28 grams – or about 10 chips) and popped it open.
One bite.
And disappointment. While I didn’t actually believe my taste buds would go on a Mediterranean journey, what I did expect was a flavor-packed chip, full of flavor and crunch and…yumminess.
But what I got…reminded me more of stale Doritos.
Sad, but true.
When I go to bite into a “brown rice crisp,” I expect there to be mega crunch. Like gobbling down Doritos. They should have this crunch and then the wow-factor of flavor. While I do taste the Parmesan flavor, it isn’t as prominent as I would have thought. Especially as it is billed in the largest letters on the bag. I was underwhelmed with them. And when I have a snack at the office, I totally don’t want to be underwhelmed.
The plus side is, the serving (about 10 chips) is only 140 calories and pack only 6 grams of fat. That being said, most other gluten-free chips on the market provide a bigger serving with the same nutritional value. So…I don’t know if this is really of any benefit.
So, unfortunately, I’m not thinking RiceWorks will find their way back into my pantry any time soon. But, there was only one way to find out. And while I started off excited, my tasting experience only lead to disappointment.
It’s too bad. They had such promise for a healthier gluten-free option for chips.
The Celiathlete 