Fries: we tried ten brands (and they all lacked salt)

First, a few considerations.

1) After comparing different types of crisps in their different types of packaging, the following recommendation should be given to consumers: always prefer large bags.

The reason? Apart from the fact that it is more practical in terms of price, the truth is that in the smaller packages one imagines that due to a handling problem the fries tend to fragment too much and the quantity of product ground becomes important.

2) Another commonality I’ve found in the different types of fries I’ve tried is that they don’t have a good level of salt. In their quest to avoid the corresponding “High Sodium” black stamp, nearly all fail to find their one and only dressing.

The best thing I think would be to open the file and just put more salt on it, bearing the cost of postage for the stamp. Overall, with more or less salt, bagged potato chips will never exactly be healthy food.

3) Finally, I want to clarify that this time I focused only on bagged chips, which had no other ingredients than potatoes, different types of oil and salt, and whose format weighed about 200 grams. There are ten different varieties, mostly available in supermarkets and stores across much of the country.

Why didn’t I play with the pot fries? Because in addition to being made with dehydrated potatoes, they contain a lot of seasonings and thickeners which, in the end, give them a totally different texture and flavor and a far cry from that of bagged chips.

Having said all of the above, here are the results.

I dare say that these potatoes, unknown to me until now and an exclusive product of Líder supermarkets, were the best I have tried in recent times. A pleasant surprise.

With more salt than average, although still a little lacking, they are very crispy and tasty. This allows them to be chewed and savored for a long time, which is what they want and appreciate the most with a product like this. For the same reason, I would accompany them with a tonic vodka. (It has the High Calorie seal).

Before starting this test, I remembered them as the best bagged potato chips on the market. However, trying them carefully, with the rest of the brands and varieties for comparison, they seemed to me to have good flavor and color, although they were lacking in salt and lacking in crispiness which I kept memory.

Still, it’s a good chip, with above-average quality. Ideal to accompany something light, like a Corona beer. (It has the high calorie and high saturated fat stamps).

Too soft in the mouth, Lay’s Plain Fries have practically no taste, too yellow to appear natural. Not very crunchy and not very salty, its mouth is not entirely bad.

However, before you even start chewing them, they begin to lose their structure until they fall apart with virtually no movement of the jaws.

You should eat them with a cheap beer and also accompany them with some green olives or something firm, to give the moment the consistency they don’t have. (It has the High Calorie seal).

Hard, pale and crunchy. Also, very tasty. Since they so adamantly state they have sea salt, one would expect a more enthusiastic salting. Although they don’t feel bland, they could clearly use a little more salt.

Nevertheless, among all the brands tested, these potatoes stand out for their consistency and flavor. With an Escudo beer, they will surely combine wonderfully. (Has the High Calorie Seal).

Good in flavor but less crispy than its rustic sea salt version, they work or rather conform to what you might call “a good fried potato”.

Although, of course, it follows the trend of lack of salt and has quite pale yellow tones, not very homemade. With a glass of pisco, they might brighten up a bit. (Has the High Calorie Seal).

A pleasant surprise. Uneven in color and close to light brown, they have a good consistency, are quite crunchy and have a pleasant flavor.

But again, the difference between supposed sea salt -which in this case comes from Cáhuil- and ordinary salt is not noticeable. Still, it’s a good chip, enough to go with a Black Label whiskey. or two. (Has a high calorie patch).

A disappointment any way you look at them. Beyond the little salt, sin committed by all the potatoes tested, these Lay’s “American cut” lack flavor and even texture: their classic wavy cut is rather visual, since it is barely felt in the mouth before collapsing completely.

The colour? Suspicious yellow. I could only justify them by imagining them at lunch, with a canned Coca Cola, when in several blocks around there is no offer other than a few vending machines. (Has the High Calorie Seal).

We already know the Tika, a snack different from the others. It is made with native potatoes from Chiloé, more colorful and fine than the other samples in this comparison, but no less tasty for that.

Its level of crispiness is acceptable, but again its lack of salt is noticeable. They are supposed to be healthier than others, as they only use sunflower oil and no other additives. For the same reason, I would accompany them with a freshly squeezed orange juice. They are ideal to give to children at a party and not feel so guilty. (It has a High Calorie stamp).

Large, slightly crisp and false medium yellow; however, mom’s fries are a bit saltier than average and that’s nice.

Good flavor and good consistency, they seem ideal to accompany a piscola and throw in the party. (Has the High Calorie Seal).

They are Cencosud own brand fries, pleasantly surprising because they have a lot of taste, salt and crispiness.

Although he does not fight other similar ones —like the Selection—, in any case, he remains at a good level. And while we’re at it, they might be up to the task of partnering up with a Negroni. (Has the High Calorie Seal).

*Prices for products in this item are updated as of June 27, 2023. Values ​​and availability may change.