POTATO CHIP PAIRINGS

When you reach for a bag of chips to go with your sandwich, did you ever wonder which flavor of potato chips pairs best with your BLT or your ham sandwich?

Probably not. But get ready for a consciousness-raising:

The Herr’s flavor development team created these potato chip pairing guidelines for a variety of popular sandwiches.

“You’ve got a sandwich, and you’re staring at a rack of chip flavors, but which one do you choose?” said Pete Graziano, Herr’s Research & Development Manager and Corporate Chef. “It’s not always an easy decision.”

Some pairings, like a ham sandwich and salt and vinegar chips, are all about contrast, while others, like tuna fish and Old Bay chips, are more complementary.

Despite the pressure of picking the right crunchy snack, there are no wrong choices.

“In the end, just like wine-and-food pairings, it’s really all about your personal preference,” said Graziano. “But the right combination, with similar tastes and perfectly balanced flavor profiles, can make the difference between a good lunch and a great one.”

Herr’s makes some 30 varieties of potato chips and kettle-cooked potato chips. Check out the flavors. Party idea: Order a selection of Herr’s chips online for a tasting event.

PICK YOUR SANDWICH, PICK YOUR CHIPS

SANDWICH: BLT
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ
WHY: The smoky combo of the mesquite barbeque sauce in the chips and bacon go together like, well, two delicious smoky things.

[2] How do you pair Scotch with chocolate (photo gy Laszlo Raksorkerti | IST)?

[3] Are there different wine pairings for oysters? Yes indeed (photo courtesy Champagne Bureau).

[4] How do you pair beer styles with pizza toppings (photo courtesy Bowery Street).

[5] Cheesesteak with jalapeño chips (photo courtesy Herr’s).

[6] Turkey sandwich with sour cream and onion chips (photo courtesy Herr’s).

SANDWICH: Bologna & Cheese
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Original
WHY: Simple, tried-and-true and reliable, Kettle Cooked Original is a classic, no-nonsense chip for a classic, no-nonsense sandwich.

SANDWICH: Cheesesteak
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Jalapeño
WHY: The hearty combo of meat and cheese blends seamlessly with bites of the spicy jalapeño-flavored snack.

SANDWICH: Ham
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Boardwalk Salt & Vinegar
WHY: Contrast is the name of the game in this battle between a powerful, salty-snack flavor and a lighter, classic sandwich staple.

Italian Sandwich (Hero, Sub, Etc.)
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt
WHY: In Italy, salt and pepper are often the only addition to meats and cheeses. This chip-and-sandwich combo pays homage to that tradition.

SANDWICH: Meatball
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Ripple Chips
WHY: The extreme crunch of the Ripple Chip is the perfect textural contrast to the meat, cheese and sauce of a meatball sub.

SANDWICH: Roast Beef
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Cheddar Horseradish
WHY: Roast beef plus cheddar, or roast beef plus horseradish? Both are perfect pairings, but why choose, when there’s a combo flavor of both?

SANDWICH: Tuna
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Old Bay
WHY: The aromatic and flavorful punch of Old Bay is the ideal partner for a sandwich packed with flavors of the sea.

SANDWICH: Turkey
CHIP PAIRING: Kettle Cooked Sour Cream & Onion
WHY: One of the most popular sandwiches pairs perfectly with one of the most popular chip flavors.
 
 
ALONG WITH YOUR SANDWICH & CHIPS, CHECK OUT:
The History Of Potato Chips.