Wow, look, a new bag of Walkers! Well, it says it's new, but I only saw three flavours available when I picked these up, the classic ready salted, salt & vinegar and cheese & onion. But the bag, let me tell you about this bag. It's not just a bag, it's also a bowl! So you can do just what the name says, tear it and share it! Immediately! Because the bag is a bowl! Let me show you:
Well, I suppose that could be considered a bowl, if you're following the dictionary definition, which is a container that is open at the top and deep enough to hold food. But I don't know if I'd refer to it as a bowl, it's more like a shallow packet, that stays open better than regular packets. But I guess that's not as catchy. Yes, it's a gimmick, and one that I guess has some use in sharing amongst friends on a coffee table. I wouldn't nestle it among other party foods in a big spread, I'd probably just empty them into a real bowl. But on the whole, I feel it's pretty unnecessary, have we as a species lost the ability to share from a deep packet of crisps? I don't think so.
Novelty aside, the contents here are pretty good. They're thicker cut crisps, so they're basically Extra Crunchy Walkers by a different name. There was a very decent amount of flavouring in here, and they were definitely moreish. I'm sure we all know how good Walkers salt & vinegar crisps are, and it's not different here. But I fear this is another case of gimmicky packaging stinging you on the contents. This bag contains 150g, the same as your regular pack of Extra Crunchy, but the RRP for the Tear 'N' Share appears to be £1.99 compared to the Extra Crunchy's £1.50. I got these on offer for £1, so at that price it's worth it, but be aware of the regular pricing before you're lured in by the promise of that fancy bowl bag. Maybe you'll be able to pick them up for the same price, but it remains to be seen.
These are good crisps, there's no mistaking it, but the packaging seems to be a way to get more money out of us. You're probably better off going for a bag of the Extra Crunchy, they're just as good. Apparently the Tear 'N' Share have a new sweet chilli flavour though, so I'll probably pick some of those up to try them out. Otherwise I'll be leaving them on the shelf.
My rating: 3/5
Last year also gifted an internet tutorial on how to make a bowl from a crisp bag.
ReplyDeleteSo also somewhat redundant.
Interesting packaging innovation from Walkers. I wonder how "sharing bag" specialists Kettle Chips and Tyrrells feel about this!
ReplyDeleteI have just bought the cheese and onion flavour and have to admit they are lovely. The thicker cut makes them so much more crispy and the flavouring is perfect. They were only £1 from Asda.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom had this idea of a standing chip bag at the dinner table last night, as we had to keep turning the bag for each person to reach into it (we don't normally eat chips at dinner, but it was hotdogs and sausages on the grill). I thought it was brilliant, so I researched and found they're already making them. I can see this taking off if people realize it's niche.
ReplyDelete50p at our local cheapie shop
ReplyDelete