Snack Review: Terra Kettles Chef-Inspired Flavors
Okay, when you read this review’s title, how many of you asked yourselves “what the heck is a Terra Kettle?” Believe me, if I hadn’t seen the name on a package, I would have wondered the same thing. The image that springs immediately to mind is some mythological Greek god, hovering over a cauldron as he summons the elements to shape the developing Earth. It would also make a great name for a post-apocalyptic, time-traveling Hollywood blockbuster. I can imagine the tagline, spoken during the trailer in the booming, omniscient voice of that guy who always seems to do the honors: “Terra Kettle: Can they destroy the Earth before it destroys itself?”
As you see above, Terra Kettles are neither the lore of ancient societies nor another sign of Hollywood’s impending demise. “Terra” simply refers to the brand; longtime producers of creative chips made from all sorts of root vegetables. Craving yucca, yams or ruby taro along with your spuds? Terra serves ‘em all up, deep-fried, crisp and super-salty. “Kettles” are Terra’s cutesy abbreviation of “Kettle-cooked Potato Chips”. I’d tasted kettle corn, but didn’t recall tasting kettle chips, which gave no reason enough to try Terra Kettles. That, and the store sold them in two creative “chef-inspired” flavors I’d yet to see elsewhere in a potato chip. As you all know by now, I’m oddly attracted to “different” - okay, obscure to downright bizarre - flavors in my snacks.
As I was equally intrigued by both varieties (”Arrabiata” and “Chesapeake Bay and Beer”), I had no preference as to which I’d taste first. Tearing open the Arrabiata - a “traditional Italian seasoning” of tomato, onion and garlic, according to the backside blurb - the first thing I noticed was the unusual shape and color of the chips. It seems kettle cooking causes the potato slices to curl in on themselves and brown in an interesting way. I took note of their smell - onion and garlic, with a slight French dressing undertone. Nice.
I popped one in my mouth. It took a few seconds for my mouth and teeth to adjust to the Kettles’ texture. Terra Kettles are a good deal thicker and crispier than the vast majority of potato chips, calling to mind the sort of hand-cut chip you buy at the county fair (wait! I suppose those are kettle-cooked, too: I had tasted kettle chips before! Oh well). It’s a fantastic texture; well-suited to the strongly-spiced Arrabiata blend. I enjoyed these chips very much.
However, I enjoyed the second flavor, Chesapeake Bay and Beer, even more. I’ve always found most foods become much tastier with a sprinkling of Old Bay Spice (kinda like Lawry’s seasoned salt). From the moment I cracked open the bag, my sense of smell told me this flavor would not disappoint. They didn’t. Like the Arrabiata, Old Bay is a seasoning with a lot of character, and it similarly proved itself a match for the snappy texture of the Terra Kettles. I’m no beer connoisseur, but I’d say the assertive tang of the beer flavor added something to these chips as well. In my opinion, a true taste-crunch-attitude sensation.
I’d buy both these flavors of Chef-Inspired Terra Kettles again, and if possible, try the chef-inspired line’s other two flavors - Pesto-Mozzarella and General Tso - while I’m at it. In fact, next time I notice them on a shelf, I’ll probably stock up. That way, I’ll not only have them on hand for snacking enjoyment; even if the entire line is discontinued, I’ll have extra bags on hand to sell on eBay at the inevitable release of “Terra Kettle: The Movie”.
Buy Terra Kettles Chips Online:
- at Amazon.com
2 Comments
Deb on September 5th, 2008
I tried the General Tso kind, and they were good but nothing really special. They just tasted like spicy barbecue chips. Of course, I don’t like barbecue chips much, so the fact that I liked them might mean something.
Andrea on September 4th, 2008
The Chesapeake Bay and Beer is my favorite flavor too! They also make “Pesto and Smoked Mozzerella” and “General Tso”
YUM!