As you stroll down the snacks aisle of the supermarket, instead of grabbing the same old chips, treat your crowd to something special.

For more than a decade, chips have been exploding in flavor. Although most supermarkets give shelf space to the three or so biggest sellers, bagel chips, bean chips, pita chips, potato chips, tortilla chips and rice chips have gone from plain to Pepperoncini (an actual flavor from Kettle brand chips).

For decades, potato chips were available in the U.S. in Original (lightly salted), Barbecue and Sour Cream; perhaps you’d find Salt & Vinegar.* Then, artisan chip makers like Route 11 broke through with flavors like Chesapeake Crab, Dill Pickle and Mama Zuma’s Revenge (habanero).

Kettle Brand works in overdrive to come up with a trending new flavor every year. Its current selection of 18 flavors (not including Krinkle Cut flavors) offers Maple Bacon, Red Curry and Spicy Thai potato chips.

Now, even megabrand Lay’s makes chips in Dill Pickle and Flamin’ Hot, plus Chile Lemon, Garden Tomato & Basil and a host of others.

Food should taste good makes tortilla chips in 19 flavors, from Cheddar to Kimchi (and yes, plain chips too). Photo courtesy FSTG.

THE NEW CHIP IN TOWN

Stacy’s Pita Chips began plain, as most brands do. Today the original Simply Naked Pita Chips are joined by Cinnamon Sugar, Garden Veggie Medley, Italian Harvest, Multigrain, Parmesan Garlic & Herb and Salted Caramel.

Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, Stacy’s has released its newest flavor: Fire Roasted Jalapeño Pita Chips.

Real jalapeño chiles are baked into the chips. The subtle jalapeño kick builds after a minute or so, and made us reach for a beer.

The chips are available in grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.99.

For more information, visit StacysSnacks.com.
 
 
*Although potato chips were born in the U.S.A., the U.K. was an early pioneer in flavored potato chips. Here’s the history of potato chips.