Lay’s Tzatziki chips — Photo may not be reused
Something I like to do while traveling is visit a supermarket and assemble a meal with local ingredients. In Egypt, Belgium and India, it went a step further and I was privileged to cook alongside the families of strangers who invited me to their homes to teach me recipes, bridging language barriers through love and respect for food.
On the flip side, I also like to sample fast food and chips, even if I can’t read the package. Or should I say, especially when I can’t read the package — I want the surprise factor.
So far I’ve tried Jamon in Spain, Pickle in Belgium, Seafood and Mayonnaise (Thai import), Greek Kebab in the UK, Limon in Mexico, Paprika the spice and Paprika the bell pepper. I only remember Limon and Jamon with some fondness.
At the time I visited India, the flavors were themed around countries or styles and didn’t expressly say what they were although the letters were in English. America was sour cream and onion, Spain was tomato, Mexico chili and lime, and Hip Hop I could not figure out (it was honey and chili).
Not content with torturing myself abroad, I also suffer close to home. In Greece I’ve sampled Sea Salt & Fresh Pepper, Prawn Cocktail, Heinz Ketchup, Ham and Cheese, and Tomato and Olive. Yum, yeesh, yuck, better as a sandwich and better in a salad.
For years I never bought Rigani (Oregano) because it didn’t sound good, but so many people in my life insist on them that it’s now grown on me.
My favorite flavor released in Greece is Tzatziki, circa 2003 and long gone before the Athens 2004 Olympics. When supermarkets stopped restocking them, I knew they’d soon be discontinued and went to every periptero and psilikatzidiko within walking distance to buy them up. I recall they tasted like powdery sour cream, garlic and onion-flavored chips, with no hint of cucumber, spices or seasonings beyond salt.
Without Tzatziki to choose from, I fall back on the tried-and-true Salted, Salt and Vinegar, and the occasional Ruffles for homemade clam dip and the pure amusement of hearing Greek friends call them Roo-fless.
What chips/crisps have you tried? Like or dislike?
Related posts
“Taste of America in Greece”
“Corn dogs in Athens?”
“Crazy American things”
Shortlink: http://bit.ly/tzatzikichips
Kat Reply:
August 3rd, 2011 at 12:24
Mmm, Curry Lay’s, that sounds good. Can’t say I’m interested in ancient gummi worms, but there are some shops in Athens selling the same thing if I was. They get mad and mumble ‘xeni’ when it’s pointed out.
Funny you should comment about Tsakiris. I bought a bag that was burnt also, then got another that tasted stale, like the bag had been left open for weeks. Those incidents combined with the fact they’re more expensive than Lay’s put me off; now I only buy their fried potato sticks. Those are fine.
I like BBQ but I don’t buy them in Greece. Too normal for me, I guess.
Thanks for leaving a comment, and kalo kalokairi!