They say don't be a slave to trends, because what's in now will be out in a matter of a few seasons. But if you hoard your stuff long enough, your way more hip and fashionable kids will think your "vintage" junk are the coolest things ever. Or you could wait for a public influencer to wear it, watch the price hike, and then sell your stuff at a profit. Unless you're hoarding beanie babies. Those ain't coming back y'all. $80 Champion sweatshirts anyone?
A few TJ's trips ago, A looked askance at this product. Like I need another salty crunchy snack to tempt me. But my main reason for picking this up is because I wondered if this was a rebranded, repackaged cousin of the cheddar horseradish chips (which have probably been discontinued methinks). I feel like TJ's is discontinuing stuff on the down low rather surreptitiously. No more flashing signs of "HELLO BUY ME BECAUSE I'M BEING DISCONTINUED." Instead, it's flashing "NEW CAULIFLOWER ______,"NEW CHEESE, NEW BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD" signs that distract you while those favorites quietly disappear. Sounds like the actions of a certain administration. =X
This product is suspiciously similar to the discontinued cheddar horseradish chips, sans cheddar of course. An affinity for horseradish is definitely a required prerequisite for liking this product. The texture is closer to a Ruffle (lots of ridges) and less wavy than the original cheddar horseradish chip. Also this one has a heftier crunch, which I like very much. The packaging doesn't say anything about being kettle-cooked but I suspect that's the case here. The dominant flavor is obviously the horseradish. But it's not as tear-inducingly spicy as the previous cheddar version. The chive flavor is pretty subtle. I suppose those little dark green specs are supposed to be visual reminders that you plopped down $2.49 or $2.99 for those thingys too. Can't say that it's distinctively chive but there is a vague onion-y backdrop that goes well with the horseradish.
I quite liked these and think if you like horseradish, you'll like these too. Especially paired with a creamy dip to mitigate the spice, if you can't take the spice that is. Is it better than the cheddar horseradish that once was? I think so...but that's like picking a favorite Hemsworth. Except the Hemsworths all still exist and are doing productive things in the world. Unlike the poor cheddar horseradish chips of Trader Joe's past...
TL;DR: Trader Joe's Ridge Cut Potato Chips Seasoned with Horseradish & Chives. Probably kettle-cooked, crunchy Ruffle-esque chips with a horseradish kick. RIP cousin cheddar. 8 out of 10. Mantou Joe repurchase? Uh...if these ever get restocked. I'm waitingggg.
My wife and I were absolutely addicted to these chips from day one. On a recent trip t to TJ's -
ReplyDeleteI want to say around the holidays, so late 2018 - my store was completely out. After inquiring with an employee, who then checked in their computers, I found out the chips have already been discontinued. It wasn't clear in the system if this was a temporary thing, as TJ's often does this pending a supplier change, or a permanent one. I'm starting to think it's the latter as the product has not resurfaced and employees have not seen any announcements. This is a a perfect example of your point about TJ's now "surreptitiously" removing products. Even the employees weren't fully aware of what was going on!
Oh no! Hopefully it's not permanently discontinued..
DeleteThey have some in Fresno, California but at the community college in the pantry for students. It is not a popular choice.
ReplyDelete