Takis – Xplosion Zesty Nacho Cheese
Multiple times have I mentioned that we here in the frigid North get shafted when it comes to snacks. I mean, I get that the US market is bigger, so they get more variety and options when it comes to, well, everything. It may seem weird to some that this would even be an issue, but when you are brainwashed by television and movies made primarily in the US, you end up feeling left out and often curious at the references made in those shows. For me, this is doubly true for snacks. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I would hear the mention of Takis, only to realize yet again that they aren’t available in Canada. It wasn’t until sometime in 2018 that Barcel decided to sell them in Canada, and I got my first taste. Before, I would rationalize my inability to procure them as a case of over-hype by the media.
In a way I think it’s good that it didn’t hit our shelves until 2018, because chances are if they existed when I was a kid, I would be one fat, fat kid. When I think of childhood obesity in the US, I think of these snacks. There was a period where all I ate was Takis, but then I realized I was eating too many of them and had to go cold turkey for a while. I like them that much. But like most other snacks, they come in a large variety, and today I’m going to be reviewing the less spicy one. I haven’t had these in almost a year, so let’s see if I still have an unhealthy relationship with these, or I’ve grown and moved on as a person.
You’d think that something as simple as a rolled tortilla chip would be a pretty obvious idea, but it doesn’t seem to have really been done by anyone else. I know Doritos tried to compete with their own version, but I don’t see them as much, so I can’t say if they’re successful or not. I like to think that if more companies are jumping on a bandwagon, there’s probably a good reason. I just can’t tell if it’s a cost or process issue, a sales issue or something else. Either way, I’m perfectly happy with what this Mexican snack company is doing.
While I can’t really say that these are any less messy or greasy than a typical tortilla chip, I can tell you that there’s something convenient about eating chips in stick form. Maybe it’s just me, but I find it both easier and more satisfying. I’ve always tended to prefer thicker chips, and tortilla chips tend to have more of a hearty crunch for me than potato chips that tend to be more flaky and crispy. The beauty of these is that they are folded in on themselves, multiplying that thick tortilla crunch to great satisfaction. Biting into these, you can see from the cross section that these are actually rolled tortillas that are then fried, and not just stick shaped tortilla mash.
The flavour of these is quite intense. While I personally prefer seasoning in flavour to be a little lighter, I can see how people would really enjoy these. These would go much better with a nice cold drink nearby, as I found myself quite thirsty after just a few. These aren’t spicy at all, but after a handful or two you will notice some slight burning. I’m still undecided on whether that’s from the intensity of the seasoning, or actually spices are added in. The cheesy flavour is really quite zesty, and does hit you in the taste-buds like an “xplosion”.
As far as Takis flavours go, this one wouldn’t be my favourite, but it’s good enough that I find myself finishing off most of a bag in one sitting. To anyone who wants to try Takis out by is afraid of the spicier version, this is a good leaping off point. Though truth be told, I don’t find any of them to be particularly spicy, your mileage may vary.
