Kotas Reviews Lay's Cappuccino Potato Chips

Occasionally, I take it upon myself to do the family grocery shopping. Usually this is a nuanced affair full of conscious decisions to not eat like a college freshman on a budget, but occasionally I make my way into those shrines to consumption we name as Supermarkets while I am hungry. The results are never pretty. Today's subject is a result of one such trip into the maw of the unknown. BEHOLD!

ONLY DOOM WOULD DARE SUP UPON SUCH MAGNIFICENCE!

It turns out, Lay's is currently running a promotion called Do Us A Flavor, where you can cast your "vote" for one of four different entries: Bacon Mac & Cheese, Mango Salsa, Wasabi & Ginger, and today's experiment: Cappuccino. Now, I don't know about you, dear readers, but when I think Lay's Potato Chips, the very last thing that comes to mind is "These are great! If only they came in a coffee drink flavor!". Still, I wouldn't do to disappoint Mr. Chad Scott and pooh-pooh his creation without actually tasting them, right? RIGHT. Let's see what these bad boys look like.

Truly, truly, truly outrageous

Upon opening the bag, you are immediately hit with a scent that can only be termed "artificial cappuccino flavoring". It actually smells pretty good, but there is something off about it. Probably one too many chemicals in ye flask, if you catch my drift. The chips look exactly like what you would expect cappuccino flavored potato chips to look like, and they would probably look even better drizzled with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Could this be a bold new entry into the realm of dessert potato chips? I'm going to go with "maybe, but probably not".

The most important thing to get right in any oddball food pairing is to make sure the flavors either complement each other, or offer a pleasant contrast. I'm pretty sure that was NOT the thought process used here. These chips have a very strong coffee and cream flavoring when you eat them. This aspect is actually pretty decent, and reminds me somewhat of tiramisu. The other flavor that they have is a solid potato flavor. They are a lot less greasy than regular old Lay's, so the potato flavor comes through loud and clear. 

How does it pair with the coffee and cream? Awkwardly, at best. I love me some coffee, and I love me some potato, but when paired in a glorious monument to Man's Hubris such as this, they merely serve to confuse and frighten a simple man like myself. I will say that the experience did not leave me feeling they were bad, so much as very weird. The idea itself has merit, and I think if the underlying chip was a sweet potato one, or if the flavoring had a bit more sugar in it, that this could be very interesting. 

On the FACE Rating System, I give this one 0 Faces. I didn't hate them, but I didn't particularly like them either. Mostly, I was left feeling confused, which is not what I'm looking for in a flavored potato snack. Bravo for trying something different though!