Lays launched the “Do Us a Flavor” campaign in 2012 to celebrate their 75th anniversary. Fans were asked to send in their dream ideas for a chip flavor and the three finalists went into production for a limited time before a winner was declared. Last year’s finalists included Sriracha, Chicken and Waffles, and the eventual — and much-debated — victor, Cheesy Garlic Bread.
This year’s follow-up competition has been expanded to four limited-edition, fan-developed favors: Cappuccino, Mango Salsa, Wasabi Ginger, and Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese. The four finalists are available for purchase through October 18 and Lays encourages testers to vote for their favorite on at dousaflavor.com, where you can also read the riveting stories behind each flavor’s inspiration. (Spoiler: It’s not that riveting.)
We never say “no” to quirky snack foods at Boston.com, so we decided to pop open a few bags and give them a try. Below are our thoughts.
Mango Salsa:
Sara: I’ve had Yorkshire Pudding flavored chips and Lamb and Mint flavored chips so I thought I could handle anything, but these were all just horrible. Mango salsa tasted like Trix. This was a sad day. I’m going home now.
Shannon: I agree with what Sara said. Mango salsa tasted like it was dusted with old fruity pebbles or some other stale children’s cereal. Weird after taste.
Rattey: I saved the Mango for last. Mistake. Trix NAILS it. I was trying to think of what they tasted like. I had such high hopes because I love mango salsa. I was highly disappointed, and yes… they taste exactly like Trix. I once felt really sad after I ate a peanut butter hamburger. Like actually melancholic. I think it was chemical. Lesson: don’t mix meat and peanut butter.
Wasabi Ginger
Sanjay: My favorite of the batch. Had a salty taste and a really good after taste. Didn’t knock your sinuses out like normal wasabi.
Zeninjor: Ugh, where to begin. I should have known I wouldn’t like the wasabi ginger because I hate wasabi. I love ginger though.
Denali: The Wasabi Ginger chips taste like you took a packet of ramen noodle seasoning and poured it over the classic lays. That’s totally something I would do though so Wasabi Ginger has my vote.
Cappuccino
Ryan: Cappuccino tastes like the inside of a Dunkin’ Donuts. [OP: screaming]
Shannon: Yes. But not in a good way.. like the dirt on the floor of a Dunkin.
Angela: No one said it better than Ryan about the Cappuccino chips. They were cereal-esque and tasted like the fake cappuccino that I used to get out of a Cumberland Farms machine in high school.
Laura: Cappuccino tastes as brackish as it looks.
Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese
Denali: This is the only flavor I reached for seconds. I don’t know if that’s because they’re good or if I’m just really hungry, but I definitely didn’t reach for seconds of Cappuccino.
Shannon: Same here, it was mostly cheesy and a little smoky. Pretty good, but still not mac and cheese.
Rattey: Wait, what? There was a Bacon Mac & Cheese one? Where the hell was I?
Zeninjor: I was hit with an overwhelming bacon flavor then an overwhelming cheese flavor. It was just ok.
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Source
I bought the Wasabi and Cappuccino chips tonight cause I'm a sucker. They didn't have the Bacon Mac and Cheese. : [