Paqui – Jalapeno Tropical

Most people know Paqui for it’s infamous one chip challenge. Personally I haven’t the wherewithal to try that, but I have tried many of their other flavours and I must admit I do enjoy their take on the classic tortilla chip formula. They tend to be a bit more premium priced, but I do feel like the higher price tag is worth the bump in quality.

Upon opening the bag, I am met with a very pleasant sweet smell that is somewhat pineapple, but also like peppers and onions. These are a fairly decent heat level that you would expect from jalapeno – it’s not too hot but you can feel the heat build and it leaves a spicy sensation in the back of your throat and on your tongue. Not enough that would make you reach for a drink or anything of that sort though.

The flavour is really nice though, as the heat is backdrop to a sweet and salty flavour. It reminds me of an onion based powder with some pepper for some heat and a distinct sweetness which gives it a “tropical” feel if that makes sense. At one point I was reminded of an instant ramen noodle packet. Sort of reminds me of when you grill a pineapple. The flavour is overall quite well done and I find myself scarfing down quite a few in quick succession. The heat definitely builds up but it definitely adds another layer to the flavour that helps elevate it. It’s essentially a different take on the whole sweet chili flavour, with a bit more a tropical feel to it.

The chip itself is what I would consider a light touch – it’s not too firm or crunchy like a good restaurant style chip, but it is closer to that then something softer like Doritos. It’s solid enough to be able to hold a tiny bit of dip or salsa, but not enough to end up cutting the roof of your mouth or anything like that. I personally prefer a thicker chip, but I can see this style appealing to a wider audience than the hardened thick cruncher that I am.

These are another hit for Paqui and I’ve already gone through another bag with some coworkers, so safe to say everyone is a big fan of these. The spice is pretty mild for a wimp like me, and even my even wimpier coworker found these to be mild enough to enjoy without entering a coughing fit, so these I feel safe suggesting to everyone. A nice combination of savoury and sweet, with just the slightest hint of kick. Fun for the whole family!