French Fry Diary 665: Pringles Rewind

The Bride recently picked up a can of Pringles Potato Crisps at the store and I noticed the can was a bit smaller than usual. On closer inspection I found the words 'rewind edition' on the can, and that it was a smaller can than usual, 4.41 oz. vs. the usual 5.96 oz. After a bit of internet research I'd found that the 'rewind edition' referred to both a return to the original logo but also the original size can.

Taking a closer look at the can and mentally putting three tennis balls in it, I thought, yeah, that's about right. I guess since I was a kid, Pringles cans had gotten bigger. Back in the mid-1970s, amongst Marathon Bars, Evel Knievel Stunt Sets, and Wacky Packs, potato chips in tennis cans showed up. Pringles called themselves the 'newfangled potato chip,' but that's what we all thought of them as, because the packaging was identical to the cans tennis balls came in.

The charm wore off rather quickly once we all figured out how bland Pringles tasted. I came back to them when they started adding flavors, mostly the BBQ, as you can see from my reviews here.

On closer examination of the rewind can, a thought occurred to me. They should go back to this size. One, the price would be lower, and two, you can reach the bottom of the can easier with these smaller cans. There's a comfort issue with the cans that Pringles should pounce on. This is a good thing.

French Fry Diary 557: O!Karto

These 'Italian Potato Chips' were part of my Christmas present from friends Dom and Cindy, a selection of rare and exotic chips.

They are not really chips, more a potato concoction like Munchos or Pringles. Made from dehydrated potato flakes, starch, and granules, they are square shaped tubes, looking like regular cut French fries at a distance. This is apparently 'Italian style.'

The fact is they are not Italian at all. These Orion O!Karto Italian Potato Chips are Korean. They come in this flavor, Italian Gratin, and Chili Chili. The cartoon mascot on the bag, Mr. Karto, says, "O!Karto is unique and amazing type of potato snack. This Italian style snack 'O!Karto' is from high quality potato and fit for everyone."

The bag says they're cooked in sunflower oil, I guess that's the fit part. Although it's worth noting the ingredients also list vegetable oil, as well as palm and soybean oil. Your guess is as good as mine - much like the best by date, which is in Korean.

The Bride expressed interest in trying them, so I made her taste one first. She commented on how sweet they were. There's that, they are sweet, but I wasn't really getting the gratin. They could have used a bit more seasoning, even though I suspect the Chili Chili might have been too seasoned.

Because of their shape, these 'chips' might be interesting for dipping, especially in milkshakes or ice cream. They're a bit thin so maybe not. Taste wise, not bad, I would definitely try these again. Thanks, Dom and Cindy!

French Fry Diary 432: Peas of Mind Veggie Wedgies Baked Apple Fries

I'm usually love or hate when it comes to non-potato French fries, especially when they are touted as healthy or 'good for you.' These apple fries are a good example.

Peas of Mind, by their own admission, and advertising, makes all natural eats for growing kids. These baked apple fries are part of the Veggie Wedgies branding. These fries also come in broccoli, carrot and cauliflower. All of them are vegan, fat free, gluten free, dairy free, and soy free. One could also surmise they're also fun free, but that would just be mean. There is also no artificial flavor, no added sugars, and low in sodium content.

So these baked apple fries rack up high points in the healthy area, but how do they taste? Soon, young Fry Jedi, soon. Well, first, while they are baking, they smell great thanks to cinnamon being one of the ingredients. The others are apples, dehydrated potatoes (a surprise), water, baking powder, and sea salt.

Those dehydrated potatoes are a problem because that's the bad bland taste in these otherwise okay apple fries. They definitely need something, maybe to dip - honey or organic ketchup is suggested by Peas of Mind. Maybe whipped cream also.

The baked apple fries were good for a change of pace, but I don't think I'd try them again, I'd prefer natural apple strips.