Reader Food Panel ; New Pringles flavors surprising

No one guessed they were Pringles.

The diminutive little potato crisps are reminiscent of their stacking cousins, but Pringles Select chips have their own personality. Tasters were all over the map with their reviews of the crisps, including: Parmesan Garlic and Sun Dried Tomato potato chips, the Szechuan Barbecue rice crisps and Cinnamon Sweet Potato crisps.

The clear favorite of the bunch was the Szechuan Barbecue. Tasters gave them four and a half stars for taste.

“Bright, complex oriental spice – a pleasant surprise,” said Andy Hoye.

Vicki Deschaine is buying them for her next road trip, “Nice crunch, perfect spice and very tasty. I’d buy these.”

And Donald Clegg agreed the chips stood out in the ever-crowded chip aisle. “Very crunchy, nicely seasoned with a strong hit of garlic. These are a keeper, for sure,” he said.

The runner-up for flavor was the Parmesan Garlic potato crisps, which earned three and a half stars from the panel. A few complained that the price of the snack was a bit steep.

“Flavor is very subtle … (The chips are) crisp and bite-sized. Overpriced!” said Larry Inman.

Deschaine will have two kinds of the chips on that trip, she said, “A little Parmesan cheese taste – great with a nice Merlot. I’m buying these.”

Several tasters said they had trouble identifying the flavor of the Sun Dried Tomato crisps. The chips earned a three-star rating.

“I like the size and texture: smaller than regular chips. Never would have guessed tomato,” Oranen said.

Tina Johnson thought the chips might work well with a dip, since the flavor was ambiguous. “Rather nondescript, but that’s OK. … These are sturdy enough to handle any dip,” she said.

The biggest surprise of the night for tasters was the subtle sweet flavor of the Cinnamon Sweet Potato crisps.

Marilyn Moore wasn’t a big fan of any of the chips, but she was especially unimpressed with the sweet potato variety. “Cinnamon chips are not for me. What will they think of next?” she asked.

Clegg thought they had a few redeeming qualities but still didn’t plan to rush out and buy any. “If you’re after a dessert chip, these are actually pretty good, but I don’t think the world really needs it,” he said.

Pringles Select Szechuan Barbecue

Price: $2.99 per 8-ounce bag

Nutrition per serving: 140 calories, 8 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated, 51 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 16 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 220 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “ “ 1/4

Value: “ “ “

Comments:

“Unique spicy flavor. Crispy and tasty. I like these.” – Larry Inman

“One bite, that’s all! The salt was too much for me. Forced some chips down and went for the water.” – Marilyn Moore

“Very crunchy, nicely seasoned with a strong hit of garlic. These are a keeper, for sure.” – Donald Clegg

Pringles Select Cinnamon Sweet Potato

Price: $2.99 per 8-ounce bag

Nutrition per serving: 150 calories, 9 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated, 54 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 16 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 15 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “

Value: “ “ “

Comments:

“Chips aren’t supposed to be sweet. No thanks.” – Vicki Deschaine

“Cinnamon belongs on applesauce, graham crackers and toast. Not on my snack crackers! Period.” – Larry Inman

“If you’re after a dessert chip, these are actually pretty good, but I don’t think the world really needs it.” – Donald Clegg

Pringles Select Parmesan Garlic

Price: $2.99 per 8-ounce bag

Nutrition per serving: 140 calories, 9 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated, 58 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 15 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 180 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “ 1/2

Value: “ “ “

Comments:

“Crispy, salty. I love these.” – Marcia Oranen

“The perfect size to indulge forever – but pricey.” – Andy Hoye

“Can’t identify the flavor … Crunchy and salty, but not much flavor. I want my calories to taste good.” – Nancy Robinson

Pringles Select Sun Dried Tomato

Price: $2.99 per 8-ounce bag

Nutrition per serving: 140 calories, 9 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated, 58 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 15 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber,

Taste: “ “ “

Value: “ “ “

Comments:

“Nummy bite size treats. Betcha can’t eat just one. (Till you find out how much they cost.)” – Larry Inman

“Subtle taste of tomato is a plus.” – Andy Hoye

“Nice and crunchy, but odd-tasting.” – Skip Hubbard

“Probably has some fancy name to get you to buy these, or maybe the artwork on the container.” – Marilyn Moore