23 February, 2009

Walkers "Do us a flavour" taste test

"Builders Breakfast" vs "Crispy Duck and Hoisin"
Walkers "Do us a flavour" promotion
I spotted these the other day (they didn't seem to have any of the other flavours in the shop) but actually these were probably the two I was most excited about anyway...the first one I tried was the "Builders Breakfast", I was expecting a taste a bit like the old "Sausage and Tomato" Golden Wonder, but - oh boy - have things moved on! The first thing that hits you as you pop one of these babies in your mouth is the salt which (within a second or two) gently rounds out into a flavour reminiscent of very crispy bacon, this lingers pleasantly, then suddenly transforms into a very full smooth egg yolk taste, this overpowers the bacon (which is almost lost) and finally, just a very tiny hint of tomato tickles the middle of the tongue...it is *extraordinary* to experience the layers of flavour present...so, so clever! The only downside (and I have no idea how they achieved the egg taste) but two hours after finishing the bag I was still experiencing (gradually decreasing) wafts of egg yolk taste on the sides of my tongue (even though I had drunk about half a litre of water in the intervening period)...regardless, if this flavour doesn't make it, it will be a crime against snack food...!

The second flavour I tried was "Crispy Duck & Hoisin" (which, if it tasted anything like the real thing, would be my automatic winner), however, it was a disappointment (compared to the previous one), first off, the smell when you open the bag is unpleasant and overpowering (not ideal) and I got a great big wiff...the crisps themselves actually taste predominantly of spring onion and cucumber seeds (which lingers all the way until the swallow), the unmistakable taste of Hoisin sort of wanders in and out a bit during the chewing process (never really asserting itself), but it is definitely present, and (I'm sorry to report) the duck is conspicuous for it's complete absence...the crispy skin doubly so...

So, out of these two (at least) - there emerges one clear victor - It's "Builders Breakfast" by a knockout in the first round...

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chilli & Chocolate is DISGUSTING, the winner hands down is Onion Bhaji - we did a taste test a couple of weeks ago at work ;-)

Nicola said...

I agree Onion Bhaji is the best. Havn't worked up the courage to try Chilli and Chocolate yet.

Absolute Beginner said...

Not liking the sound of the egg... might have to give them a miss. But do like the sound of chilli and chocolate!

Unknown said...

Gosh, sounds like I need to get my hands on some Onion Bhaji ones!

I have to repeat myself though, if builders breakfast ceases to exist I will be extremely sad... :(
I've already been and voted for them!

boohoo said...

Ahh we've been meaning to get some of these bags and haven't got round to it yet. The way you describe them makes me think I won't like them... I don't like overly pungeant food ;)

Anonymous said...

We enjoyed the sheer poetry of your description of Builder's Breakfast,however our jaded palets reacted in a diametrically opposite way to yours.The Builder's Breakfast was dull in the extreem-no taste of bacon or egg just blandness(perhaps we only had the toast in our packet).The flavour to vote for is Cajun Squirrel,delicious,inventive,the only drawback being there is no actual meat content...

Unknown said...

Thank you Anon, but that does sound a little like a malfunctioning palate there, either that or the flavour machine was broken when they made that packet!

If evidence were needed - Heston Blumenthal said his favorite was the Builders Breakfast (you see a video of him when you vote)...so I can't be miles off the mark...

Ys, it's not overpowering, but the flavours are surprisingly complex...

I think it's clear I have to try some of the other flavours...! ;)

Unknown said...

Okay, got the Onion Bhaji and Squirrel ones in my rucksack...will sample those tomorrow and report back...

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, breadfast ones are wicked!

kipperfrog said...

Fish & Chips is the best flavour in my opinion!

Unknown said...

What???! Bring a bag along tomorrow you! I haven't tried them yet, crikey, this crisp thing is turning into a minefield!