A couple of weeks back I posted a review for Paqui’s Haunted Ghost Chili chips, which I found to be quite tasty and which definitely bring the heat. I mentioned then that I wanted to try some of their other flavors and I have since picked up a bag of the Zesty Salsa Verde chips. I can now say that this company is two-for-two on tasty tortilla chip choices.
They have a taste somewhat reminiscent of green salsa, aka salsa verde, which you would expect from the name. They have a tanginess with a bit of a pop and also some creaminess in the background. They kind of remind me of sour cream chips, and after checking the ingredients, sure enough they have sour cream powder added (did not even know that was a thing). If you have ever had salsa verde that has sour cream and/or avocado added (and if not, why?), these are similar to that taste, though with perhaps more tang. Overall, I rather enjoyed them flavor-wise.
Heat-wise, the bag refers to them as “Kinda Hot”–as opposed to “Freakin’ Hot” for the Ghost Chili chips–but I would call them barely hot. They have a bit of zing and the more you eat the more heat you feel. But never enough to deliver a burn. Chiliheads will not consider these hot at all, and even those who do not like spicy food should be able to handle them. Unlike the Ghost Pepper chips, the Salsa Verde option is more about the taste and less about the heat. They do have more of an earthiness and grittiness than the standard tortilla chips, and I assume that comes from the all-natural ingredients. Given the choice, I would pick these up over the bigger brands to support local business and because I will convince myself that I am eating healthier with these.
The Salsa Verde chips would be more of a crowd-pleasing option, while the Haunted Ghost Chili flavor will satisfy chiliheads. I can see myself buying either or both again, and I will be seeking out other flavors from the Austin-based company in the future as well. You can read more about the company and where to find its products in my prior review.
Tale of the Tape:
Serving Size: 1 Oz (about 10 chips)
Ingredients: Ground Corn, Expeller-Pressed Canola and/or Sunflower Oil, Salt, Sour Cream Powder [(Cream, Cultures, Lactic Acid), Organic Nonfat Milk Solids], Spices, Natural Flavor, Green Bell Pepper Powder, Organic Whey, Cane Sugar, Tomato Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Jalapeño Pepper, Yeast Extract, Green Chile Pepper Powder, Tomatillo Powder, Organic White Distilled Vinegar, Citric Acid and Lactic Acid (for flavor), Lime Juice
Calories: 140
Fat: 7g (1g Sat/0g Trans)
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 18g
Sodium: 190mg