Just Honest Jalapeño Popcorn

Company Information: Rocky Mountain Popcorn Company, Centennial, CO
Size: 1.5oz (42.52g)
Purchased: convenience store
Cost: $1.99
Description (from bag): Real. Honest. Popcorn. Big, fresh flavorful kernels delicately flavored with REAL ingredients. Not smothered with pretentious artificial flavoring. One bite and you'll remember what popcorn is supposed to be.

Aroma: Buttery stale popcorn smell.
Appearance: Large fluffy white popped kernels covered in fine white powder with the occasional green spice fleck.
Texture: Light, slightly chewier than fresh popcorn. 

Flavor: Savory jalapeño with overlying white cheddar flavor.
HEAT: Mild to none.

The bag says "Popcorn is a healthy choice," but at 9 grams of fat, more than most bags of chips, that promise is a little deceiving. Still, a tasty snack.

Overall Rating: 2 out of 4 peppers

Boulder Canyon Jalapeño Cheddar Potato Chips

Company Information: Boulder Canyon Natural Foods, Boulder, CO
Size: 5oz. (142g)
Purchased: convenience store
Cost: $2.99
Description (from bag): Since 1994, our family has operated Boulder Chips in Boulder, Colorado. Using a simple family recipe, we kettle-cook select potatoes in small batches using sunflower and/ or safflower oil. We use totally natural ingredients, hand-rake every batch, and test chips at every stage of preparation to ensure quality and taste. We hope you enjoy our version of the original potato chip!

Aroma: Smokey, cheddar smell.
Appearance: Golden yellow chips with highly bubbled surface and some green flecks.
Texture: Crisp and sturdy.
Flavor: Overwhelming smokey flavor. Strong cheese taste has a hint of BBQ that adds a touch of sweetness. Not noticeably jalapeño.
HEAT: Mild to none.

Tasty as a "Smokey Cheddar BBQ" chip, but doesn't cut it in the jalapeño department.

Overall Rating: 2 out of 4 peppers

New York Style Baked Bagel Chips Jalapeño Cheddar

Company Information: New York Style Brand, Dayton, NJ
Size: 5oz.
Purchased: convenience store
Cost: $2.89
Description (from container): The satisfying flavor of bagel chips is even more exciting with the taste of Jalapeño Cheddar Cheese. Arouse your appetite with New York Style Tender Bites - bite size bagel chips with a new Light, Airy Texture. Enjoy with soups, and sandwiches or as a Great snack anytime!


Aroma: Tex-mex, salsa smell.
Appearance: Small orange-colored rounds that are thin and flat with brownish red flecks.
Texture: Crunchy, similar to melba toast.
Flavor: Sour Jalapeño with BBQ/salsa spice. Not noticeably cheesy.
HEAT: None.

I'll save croutons for salad and get my jalapeño fix elsewhere.

Overall Rating: 1 out of 4 peppers

Trader Joe's Baked Jalapeño Cheese Crunchies

Company Information: Trader Joe's, Monrovia, CA
Size: 7 oz. (198g)
Purchased: Trader Joe's
Cost: $2
Description (from bag): none

Aroma: Sour cream and chive smell.
Appearance: Light yellow irregular twists heavily flecked with green.
Texture: Crunchy with a puffed inside.
Flavor: Strong parsley taste with underlying sour cream and chive flavor. Odd jalapeño end note.
HEAT: Mild growing heat.

"Baked" doesn't mean healthy. I'll save my calories for something more tasty. 

Overall Rating: 1 out of 4 peppers

Pringles Jalapeño Potato Crisps

Company Information: Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH
Size: 5 3/4 oz. (163g)
Purchased: convenience store
Cost: $1.50
Description (from container): none

Aroma: Sour vinegary smell with notes of jalapeño.
Appearance: Uniform light yellow ovals with an evenly bubbled surface with flecks of red and green. Chips are concave with a center streak of reddish orange flavoring sprayed on.
Texture: Thin and crisp.
Flavor: Salty BBQ flavor with a jalapeño aftertaste.
HEAT: Mild building heat.

More BBQ than jalapeño, but pleasantly light and crisp.

Overall Rating: 2 out of 4 peppers

Shearer's Jalapeño Kettle Cooked Extra Crunchy Potato Chips

Company Information: Shearer's Foods, Inc., Brewster, OH
Size: 9 oz. (255.1g)
Purchased: discount store
Cost: $1.80
Description (from bag): Healthy lifestyles begin with healthy choices, and eating in moderation is the key to smart snacking. Staying energetic and active completes the recipe for a happy, healthy lifestyle. Fuel your celebrations with the great taste of Shearer's Snack Foods! Our quality snacks are the perfect addition to any reunion or party. Bring a frisbee along, and get everyone in on the fun! When the snacking is over . . . Let the games begin!

Aroma: Jalapeño smell.

Appearance: Small, thin, golden yellow round chips

Texture: Extra crisp and crunchy - well cooked.

Flavor: Classic potato taste with a jalapeño afterburn.

HEAT: Mild to medium lingering heat.

Shearer's delivers the crunch with these extra crispy chips.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 4 peppers

Kettle Classics Jalapeño Potato Chips

Company Information: Classic Foods, Inc., San Francisco, CA
Size: 1.75 oz. (50g)
Purchased: grocery store
Cost: $1
Description (from bag): Some people think all potato chips are alike. But you know that's not true. Our exclusive and secret family recipe calls for only premium potatoes that are thickly sliced and cooked extra slowly, using only the purest oils and seasonings - a process that creates a distinctive crunch and golden color you only get from our gourmet potato chips.

Aroma: Peanut smell with wafts of jalapeño.
Appearance: Medium-sized yellow-orange chips with a bubbled surface and flecked with green.
Texture: Thick & crisp with a good crunch.
Flavor: Salty onion flavor with a jalapeño kick.
HEAT: Medium strength burn.

Spiced just right with a satisfying crunch.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 4 peppers