Few things go together as well as tortilla chips and salsa. However, the wrong chip can ruin the party. With so many options available in the supermarket aisle, which chips should you pick? In this blog post, we will explore a taste test conducted by Cook's Country, featuring eight widely available brands of tortilla chips. We will evaluate them based on their flavor, texture, and performance with dips like salsa and guacamole.
The Taste Test Participants
Joining the taste test was Brian Roof, the executive editor for culinary travel at Cook's Country and host of "On the Road with Brian Roof." Brian shared his preferences for tortilla chips, emphasizing the importance of a thicker chip with good corn flavor and the ability to control salt levels.
The Chips Tested
The following brands were included in the taste test:
- Mission Tortilla Rounds
- Wana's Tortilla Chips (also known as One Tonio's)
- On the Border Cafe Style Tortilla Chips
- Kad Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips
- Santitas Tortilla Chips
- Tortillas Superior Dipping Chips
- Late July Organic Sea Salt Restaurant Style Chips
- Tostitos Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips
Evaluation Criteria
The chips were evaluated based on:
- Flavor
- Texture
- Sturdiness (especially during the guacamole drag test)
- Saltiness
The Results
Mission Tortilla Rounds
- Description: Round chips with a sturdy texture.
- Taster Feedback: Ranked in the top third; described as perfectly salted but some felt they could use a bit more salt. Overall, tasters found them average but not exciting.
Wana's Tortilla Chips
- Description: Small, yellow triangle chips.
- Taster Feedback: Well-seasoned with a strong corn flavor, but some noted a slight oily aftertaste. Overall, they were not as exciting as hoped.
On the Border Cafe Style Tortilla Chips
- Description: Large, restaurant-style chips.
- Taster Feedback: Tender and crispy with good flavor. Some tasters found them too big but appreciated the control over chip size for dipping.
Kad Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips
- Description: Flaky and delicate with a good corn flavor.
- Taster Feedback: Praised for their perfect saltiness and balance. Tasters enjoyed the sturdy texture and overall flavor.
Santitas Tortilla Chips
- Description: Thin and crisp with a hearty texture.
- Taster Feedback: Found to be sturdy and performed well during the guacamole drag test. Tasters rated them as a straightforward chip.
Tortillas Superior Dipping Chips
- Description: Thin and crisp, reminiscent of chips served in good Mexican restaurants.
- Taster Feedback: Rated in the top third for their flavor and texture, with ample salt.
Late July Organic Sea Salt Restaurant Style Chips
- Description: Thin and crispy with a focus on organic ingredients.
- Taster Feedback: Rated the lowest due to a bland, oily flavor. Described by one taster as akin to dipping cardboard in salsa.
Tostitos Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips
- Description: A mainstream favorite known for its crunch and texture.
- Taster Feedback: Ranked number one among tasters for its flavor and performance with salsa. Described as a crowd-pleasing chip that no one would object to.
Conclusion
After a thorough taste test, the results were clear. Tostitos Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips emerged as the top choice, praised for their flavor, texture, and overall performance with dips. Other notable mentions included On the Border and Kad chips, while Late July's organic option was rated the lowest.
When it comes to tortilla chips, Tostitos stands out as a reliable option for your next gathering, ensuring that your salsa and guacamole experience is nothing short of delightful.
