Take a look!

Classic and tasy and too cute not to share!

Have you tried the new Dutch Gourmet line by Old Dutch Foods? Delicious! They have some fun funky flavors (like honey dijon or cooked ribs), but I like the classic Sea Salt flavor best. It’s perfect for dipping, it’s thicker than your average chip and it’s just lightly salted.

They’re gluten free, which is great! I have fairly high cholesterol (shocked, I know! A chip blogger with high cholesterol!), so I’m always keen to chips that are low sodium, low cholesterol, and low saturated fats and this chip fits all three!

I don’t know why, but I’ve found that the Canadian branch of Old Dutch offers a wider variety of flavors, some may even say “exotic flavors” like the “exotic” ketchup chip – which is delicious. Dutch Gourmet seems to be slowly testing the American waters here with their cooked ribs and szechwan flavors. I hope to see more and more of these flavors branch into our chips.

Dip recommendation for Dutch Gourmet Sea Salt: French Onion Dip

Food Should Taste Good’s Lime Tortilla Chips

I’ve tried other products by “Food Should Taste Good” and have enjoyed their products. That being said, I’m not sure what it means when the bottom of the bag says ‘Tortilla chips (it’s a cracker too!)” How can it be a tortilla chip/cracker?

These chips are thick, much thicker than your normal tortilla chip, which makes them great for dipping, especially in humus. I found the lime to be barely noticeable and the salt to be  less than enjoyable. Is this because they use “real lime juice?” I doubt it, but when I squeeze limes onto my chips at Chipotle, you cannot miss that fresh zesty flavor that these lack.

My friend Jessica said it best, “I like the Olive Chips, I like the Multigrain Chips, but I do not like these.”

My quest for the answer began and I was not going to settle for a Wikipedia answer.

Chef George Crum (Inventor of the potato chip)

According to an article by Karen Hochman at THE NIBBLE: The classic treat, known as the potato chip was born a generation after the French Fry…circa 1853. An old diner in Saratoga, New York sent his food back to the kitchen complaining that the fried potatoes were not sliced thin enough and were too soggy.

Chef George Crum prepared a thinner batches that were immediately returned to the kitchen for not being right. Eventually Crum had it and sliced the potatoes “wafer-thing,” fried them to a crisp, over-salted and boiled. Thinking he had overdone it (no gentleman would dare to pick up food with his fingers at the dining table – that’s what forks are for!), they were too crisp. Much to Crum’s surprise the diner loved them. Others began the classic, “I’ll have what he’s having” line and the “crunch potato slices” became a hit, known as “Saratoga Chips.” The chip evolution began.

I prefer my chips to be a little thinner cut and crispier. When you microwave them, they make them a little softer and smidge mushy. If they had a little more salt, I would like them a little more but still these were not my favorite.

My sample group was not thrilled with the microwaving process.

Sampler 1: “They remind me of lukewarm restaurant kettle chips…but less salty.”

Sampler 2: “I wish they had another flavor other than lightly salted. I know their suppose to be sea salt, but where is it?”

As Taquitos.net described them: “There are lots of potato chips that taste great, even with no special microwave gimmick. These, however, were pretty average, with or without it.”

I wouldn’t necessarily classify Hippie Chips a potato chip tasting treat, because they are puffed potatoes with hemp seed. But, Rock n’ Roll Gourmet sent me a fun variety pack full of flavors, shapes and textures.

My favorites were their “Sweet Emotions” and “Sweet Sensations” which were either a Cinnamon Joy or a Chocolate Passion covered puffs, maybe because it is a nice little break from the constant salty snacking that I tend to do everyday. Both were flavors are shaped into little hearts.

I like the White Room Cheddar flavor quite a bit as well. They’re salty, cheesy and fluffy. You do feel a little healthier eating them.

The Woodstock Ranch were not my favorite. Although I love ranch dressing on my salads, I’m not big on having it on my chips. The flavor left an awkward tangy flavor lingering, but nothing a little bit of water couldn’t wash down.

I didn’t use to like kettle corn but it has been growing on me over the years. Rock n’ Roll’s Kettle Korn are as good as any other brand. However, for those who are not kettle corn lovers (like my parents) these are not for you. It has the nice sweet and salty flavor which I enjoy, but sometimes the sweet out weighs the salty.

I would recommend these “chips” but would lean more towards the sweeter flavors. If I’m eating chips, I typically want something with a little more crunch and salty flavors, but these are a fun alternative snack that will definitely keep you feeling “hip” while you snack.

Oh my! Look at the junk food everywhere!

I ate my first bag of Garden Salsa SunChips so fast (along with the help of my colleagues) that I forgot to take a photo of it to share! We just couldn’t stop! The salty, crispy, spicy flavor had me hooked.

This flavor reminds me a lot of the Harvest Cheddar, but there is just a hint of spice in it as well. It is suppose to taste like tomatoes, peppers and any other vegetable that goes into a mild salsa. It’s pretty close. It does taste a lot like salsa and a little cheese. Although SunChips can go stale pretty quick, the ripples and the crunch always leave you satisfied.

The thing that really makes SunChips different and stand out is the use of wheat, not potato. There is 18 grams of wheat per serving (that is about the same as a slice of wheat bread) which is healthier for you and provides whole grains that your body needs. I’m not saying they are a good supplement to replace other whole grain foods, but it is a perk.

I give SunChips a kudos for now having “more compostable bags” – following the “Go Green” trend – that are easier to decompose at trash sites or in your own compost. In 2010 they plan to introduce a full-compostable chip bag.

On Twitter?

Follow @SunChips for updates on the brand, the flavors, the bags.

If you want updates from this blog, I am also on Twitter: @ChipDipper