Lay's recently announced four new test flavors for their Do Us a Flavor campaign appearing on shelves at the end of the month. Some may remember that they launched a similar campaign last year, between Sriracha, Chicken and Waffles and Cheesy Garlic Bread. While it's been heavily debated, Cheese Garlic Bread came across as the winner (I was rooting for Chicken and Waffles). Now it looks like Lay's is at it again, this time with three four new flavors: Mango Salsa, Wasabi Ginger, Bacon Mac & Cheese and Cappuccino.
The flavors were chosen through a meticulous process of elimination and popularity before making it to the development phases. So definitely not out of a hat, people. The winner will receive either $1 million or one percent of their winning flavors sales, depending on whichever is higher. Solid, right?
We were sent a bag of each to the FOODBEAST office. The staff tried each flavor and rated each of them.
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Mango Salsa
Created by Julia Stanley-Metz who recognizes her husband Rick for the inspiration -- a man who loves to cook with exotic flavors and ingredients. Julia also makes fresh mango salsa for her family straight from the garden, which brought upon the Mango Salsa chip. Mango Salsa sounded awesome awesome in my head, but I was pretty not into it. Maybe because I associate Mango's with sweet and juicy.
Marc:
TOO WEIRD. It's like mango juice in chip form, not about that life.
Elie:
Not a fan of the taste, but I can respect them trying it.
Charisma:
WHY.
Dominique:
It tastes like someone just squeezed mango juice over it. Doesn't blend at all.
RATING: 4/10
NOTES: The chips tastes both like mangos and salsa. Just not as compatible as an actual salsa.
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Cappuccino
Suggested by Chad Scott, currently working on his Ph.D., the Cappuccino flavor was inspired by his local barista's concoctions. The Cappuccino chip starts off pretty sweet with a clash of saltiness to it. Really liked this. Was prepared for an over seasoned chip with tons of coffee flavor that would make me choke. Instead, I was pretty surprised with how nicely the sweet and salt balance worked. Though a little too much on the sweet side.
Marc:
More of a dessert chip, possible best with vanilla bean ice cream.
Elie:
I'm kind of down. One of those chips that works in taste, but keeps getting cock-blocked by your mind trying to figure out what's going on.
Charisma:
Tasted like a thin churro then when the aftertaste hits, it's all south.
Dominique:
Okay as long as you remind yourself it's a dessert chip.
RATING: 8/10
NOTES: Cappuccino tastes pretty close. Provided you enjoy your cappuccinos a little on the sweet side.
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Bacon Mac & Cheese
Full-time Ohio firefighter matt Allen makes "family meals" at the firehouse whenever there's training. His signature dish is bacon mac and cheese, which was a huge hit among his fellow fighters of fire. I delight in bacon as much as the next guy, maybe not Marc, but I just wasn't into this. That being said, this will probably be America's #1 choice. Just wait.
Marc:
I could not care less about bacon anything anymore. Sorry.
Elie:
This one was actually the most palatable of the bunch, but it's such a drowned and uninspired flavor combo I had to put it at the bottom of the list.
Charisma:
So much potential but ended up with a lackluster flavor. I hate to say it but, "Needs more bacon."
Dominique:
Just tastes like a cheese chip. Needs moar bacon.
RATING: 6/10
NOTES: Tastes more like cheese powder that has a bacon flavor. Not nearly as close to real bacon mac and cheese.
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Wasabi Ginger
Created by Meneko Spigner McBeth, who loved sushi since she was a little girl learning how to make handmade rolls from her grandmother. Her taste for spicy foods like wasabi inspired the Wasabi Ginger flavor. I don't throw the world "Love" around too much, but yeah. Tasted exactly how it sounded and maybe even a little better. Definitely ate a few more than I should have.
Marc:
This makes the most sense to me.
Elie:
Functionally the best chip of the four. I could eat an entire bag, surprised this hasn't been created before.
Charisma:
Mouth Heaven.
Dominique:
If this doesn't get chosen, I'm moving out of the US.
RATING: 10/10
NOTES: Tastes like the best parts of both wasabi and ginger. Though not too heavy on the wasabi side, but enough to give you a taste.
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So there you have it. Wasabi Ginger is the FOODBEAST staff's #1 pick. Keep an eye out for all four Lay's Do Us a Flavor contenders when they hit shelves July 28.
