Crisp Showdown: The Salted Snack Taste Test That Divided Britain
📷 Image source: i.guim.co.uk
The Great Crisp Conundrum
Why Salted Crisps Are More Than Just a Snack
Felicity Cloake, The Guardian’s resident food wizard, recently embarked on a quest that’s both mundane and deeply personal: finding the best supermarket salted crisps. It’s a topic that sparks heated debates in pubs, office kitchens, and group chats across the UK. Because let’s face it, crisps aren’t just a snack—they’re a cultural touchstone.
Cloake’s taste test wasn’t just about crunch or salt levels. It was a forensic dissection of texture, flavor balance, and that elusive 'moreish' quality. She sampled crisps from Tesco, Waitrose, M&S, and even the budget-friendly Lidl, proving that when it comes to salted crisps, price doesn’t always predict perfection.
The Surprise Winner
An Underdog Takes the Crown
The standout? Waitrose’s Essential Thin & Crispy Salted Crisps. At just 90p a bag, they outperformed pricier rivals with their 'light, golden perfection' and 'ideal salt distribution.' Cloake’s verdict: 'Serve me these with an aperitivo immediately.' It’s a win for the everyman—proof that luxury branding doesn’t always deliver where it counts.
Meanwhile, M&S’s Classic Crinkle Cut, usually a darling of the snack aisle, landed in the middle of the pack. 'Too thick, too stodgy,' Cloake noted, a blow to those who swear by the iconic green packet.
The Budget Dark Horse
Lidl’s Snack Renaissance
Lidl’s Deluxe Sea Salted Hand Cooked Crisps punched well above their weight, earning praise for their 'robust potato flavor' and 'satisfying crunch.' At £1.09, they’re a steal—and a reminder that discount supermarkets are no longer just for bargain hunters. Lidl has been quietly upping its gourmet game, and this crisp is Exhibit A.
But not all budget options fared well. Tesco’s Everyday Value Crisps were dismissed as 'pale and underwhelming,' a stark reminder that sometimes, you get what you pay for.
The Crunch Factor
Why Texture Matters More Than You Think
Cloake’s test revealed a universal truth: texture can make or break a crisp. The best contenders had a delicate balance—thin enough to shatter satisfyingly, but sturdy enough to withstand a dip. The worst offenders were either 'cardboard-like' (Tesco’s Finest) or 'aggressively crunchy' (Co-op’s Irresistible Sea Salted).
It’s a lesson for crisp manufacturers: Brits don’t just want salt. They want drama in every bite.
The Cultural Stakes
Crisps as a National Obsession
This isn’t just about snacks. It’s about identity. The UK spends over £1.5 billion on crisps annually, and the salted variety remains the undisputed king. Cloake’s test taps into a deeper question: what does the perfect crisp say about us?
Are we Waitrose purists, Lidl pragmatists, or M&S loyalists clinging to nostalgia? The comments section erupted with partisan fury—proof that in a divided Britain, crisps might be the last thing we all care about.
The Verdict
What to Grab (and What to Avoid)
If you’re heading to the shops, here’s the tl;dr: Grab Waitrose’s Essential for a cheap thrill, Lidl’s Deluxe for a gourmet experience on a budget, and avoid Tesco’s Value unless you’re fueling a toddler’s birthday party.
But the real takeaway? Crisps are serious business. And next time someone scoffs at your 'overthinking' snack choices, remind them: Felicity Cloake did it first.
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