Potato chips are an incredibly popular snack for many reasons. They’re tasty, yet simple enough to allow added flavourings to shine; satisfying, yet moreish; and they’re easy to enjoy solo or shared. But these qualities are not confined to potato-based snacks. It’s no wonder, then, that many consumers are becoming more adventurous in their snacking.
“Non-potato snacks are definitely increasing in popularity and demand within the Australian snacking market,” Calbee National Account Manager James Huskins says.
“Aside from flavour rotations, crinkle-cut or sliced crisps, we’ve largely run out of things to do with a potato.”
Health trends are also a factor, says Pacific Harvest Managing Director Hayley Fraser-Mackenzie.
“More people are looking for low carb or keto-friendly snacking options – less fat, higher protein while not compromising on taste,” she says.
So, what are some of the non-potato-based products tempting tastebuds?
Calbee Harvest Snaps are made with 65 per cent peas (chickpea variants are also available from the brand). Harvest Snaps are much lighter than traditional potato chips, says Mr Huskins, “but they still maintain that delicious crunchy texture that people love”.
Pacific Harvest Nori Seaweed Raw Snack is a 100 per cent raw, unprocessed and air-dried seaweed – “proudly” with no flavour added.
“Nori has its own amazing flavour,” Ms Fraser-Mackenzie says. “With no added oil, the palate is left feeling clean and the flavour of the nori is more evident. Subtle umami flavours from the seaweed are the hero here, rather than added processed flavourings, which can dominate traditional potato chips.”
Mr Huskins says consumers are looking for something new and exciting: “They’re also wanting products that have greater health benefits, but they don’t want to sacrifice the delicious flavour or feeling they get from their usual indulgent snacks.”
Read more about potato-chip alternatives in the April issue of Convenience World.
