You Just Got Pringled!

What’s that? You say it’s about time for a new taste test?  I couldn’t agree more!

Rather than go for sweets like this time, or this time, I dug deep into the salty category. Think crunchy. Think crispy. Think potato(ish) chips.

I’m speaking, of course, of Pringles.

Now, I can already see you turning your nose up at the crisp that isn’t legally allowed to call itself a chip because it’s only 42% potato. Oh, what a misunderstood snack!

I think there’s something beautifully precise about their uniform shape and the way they line up in a stack. I like the irony of organized junk food.

Plus, Pringles don’t fraternize with your average low-rent bag of chips, all hap-hazard and broken with that weird stubby green one that you're never sure whether to eat or whether to write a letter to the company's CEO and report a tainted bag (or is that just me?).

NO!  Pringles are too good for that. Which is why they stand tall on the shelf in the high-priced nuts neighborhood.  Fancy.

Here’s my top 3 reasons to give them a pop:

• You have to love Mr. Julius Pringle in all his olden-timey barbershop mustache glory.
• The guy who invented the Pringle asked to be buried in a can, and he got his wish in 2008.
• The brand recently sold for $2.35B – that’s a lot of chips (or crisps, as it were)!

So, as I was saying, we tried a TON of Pringles. And by a ton, I mean 18 canisters. Didn’t know there were that many flavors? Neither did we. So, obviously, a blind test was in order to see who’s taste buds could tell the difference between BBQ, Sweet BBQ, and Cheddar BBQ.

Not as easy as it sounds.

My sister-in-law had the good sense to stay out of this one, but my brother and I went head-to-head, armed with nothing but our wits and a gallon of water...

Here’s how the 18 flavors tasted (we could have had 20 -- if not for the elusive Bacon Ranch and Mozzarella Stick!):

1. Original: 2 correct guesses (if we didn’t get this layup, we would have quit)
2. Sour Cream & Onion: 2 correct
3. Cheddar Cheese: 2 correct (helps that these are bright orange)
4. BBQ: 1 correct, 1 mistaken for Pizza
5. Jalapeno: 1 correct, 1 mistaken for Mexican Layered Dip
6. Pizza: 1 mistaken for Buffalo Wing, 1 mistaken for Cajun
7. Ranch: 2 correct
8. Loaded Baked Potato: 1 correct, 1 mistaken for Cheddar BBQ
9. Salt & Vinegar: 2 correct
10. Honey Mustard: 2 correct (and can I just say, yum?)
11. Buffalo Wing: 1 correct, 1 mistaken for Cajun
12. Dill Pickle: 2 correct (and tastes like your sneaker would after a long run)
13. Cajun: 1 mistaken for Sweet BBQ, 1 mistaken for Onion Blossom
14. Sweet BBQ: 1 mistaken for Pizza, 1 mistaken for Mexican Layered Dip
15. White Cheddar Popcorn: 1 correct, 1 mistaken for Loaded Baked Potato
16. Mexican Layered Dip: 1 mistaken for Jalapeno, 1 mistaken for Sweet BBQ
17. Onion Blossom: 1 correct, 1 mistaken for White Cheddar Popcorn
18. Cheddar BBQ: 1 correct, 1 mistaken for plain BBQ

By the end, we had a thirst that a thousand gallons of waters could not quench, and we had Pringles Claw from stuffing our hands in the tube. And I’m not sure who they think they’re fooling with that cap.

Let’s be honest: 1 can = 1 serving.

So who’s palate was the most particular? I'm only semi-ashamed it admit it was mine -- with 13 correct guesses. My brother got 8.  I think he was congested.  But the real winner here is Julius Pringle. I spent like $45 bucks on chips that are only 42% potato!

While we discovered a few new favorites (I'm talking to YOU Honey Mustard and White Cheddar Popcorn), I’m rather thankful we didn’t have access to the international flavors. The Prawn Cocktail and meaty Roast Turkey flavors popular in the UK, or Seaweed with its “natural ocean flavor” and Old American Circus (aka Funky Mustard) eaten in Asia just sound plain gross.

But if old Julius feels like taking a dip in a pot of chocolate, I’d be all over that!  Just sayin.

poll by twiigs.com

 
tags: food, polls