The potato chips sparking debate across Spain
We look at Spain's most popular potato chip brands: Bonilla, Casa Vella, Aldi, Mercadona and homemade. Price, health and flavour are at the heart of the debate.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Battle of the potato chips: from Bonilla to homemade, which one wins?
The eternal question of which potato chips are the best has gone unanswered for years. Between Galician artisan brands, those from Extremadura and supermarket versions, consumers are divided. We take a look at the market and the trends.
The premium chips winning over palates
At the top of the range are brands like Bonilla, Casa Vella (Galicia) and Cordobilla (Córdoba). Those who try them tend to finish the bag without regrets. Bonilla has also gone international: it has become a gourmet product in South Korea, according to sources close to the company. Another firm from Soria, Añavieja, also has plenty of defenders.
Supermarket and family-size bags
Supermarket options are no slouches either. Aldi's extra-thick chips (200 g) have their loyal fans, though some find them too heavy. Mercadona offers its «churrería-style» chips, and Lay's campesinas (green bag) are a classic. Ruffles Original, according to one analysis, varies in flavour and oil content depending on the format: the bigger the bag, the better. Azucena chips also stand out, although their price has risen by 150% in three years, a figure that has not gone unnoticed.
The health debate: is it worth it?
Eating potato chips has a dark side: acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound that forms when frying at high temperatures, is present in the darker, well-done varieties. Some users have given them up after losing 25 kg. Others opt for making them at home with Galician potatoes and 0.4-grade olive oil, letting them sweat so they turn out crispy. The homemade option lets you control the salt and oil, but takes time.
The consensus gap
With so many options, agreement stalls on the choice between flavour and health. Artisan brands win on quality but lose on availability and price. Supermarket ones are cheaper but often saltier. And homemade chips, ideal in theory, are not always realistic for everyday life. So the question remains open: which is the best potato chip? It depends on what you are looking for, but one thing is certain: this debate will not be settled any time soon.
The eternal question of which potato chips are the best has gone unanswered for years. Between Galician artisan brands, those from Extremadura and supermarket versions, consumers are divided. We take a look at the market and the trends.
The premium chips winning over palates
At the top of the range are brands like Bonilla, Casa Vella (Galicia) and Cordobilla (Córdoba). Those who try them tend to finish the bag without regrets. Bonilla has also gone international: it has become a gourmet product in South Korea, according to sources close to the company. Another firm from Soria, Añavieja, also has plenty of defenders.
Supermarket and family-size bags
Supermarket options are no slouches either. Aldi's extra-thick chips (200 g) have their loyal fans, though some find them too heavy. Mercadona offers its «churrería-style» chips, and Lay's campesinas (green bag) are a classic. Ruffles Original, according to one analysis, varies in flavour and oil content depending on the format: the bigger the bag, the better. Azucena chips also stand out, although their price has risen by 150% in three years, a figure that has not gone unnoticed.
The health debate: is it worth it?
Eating potato chips has a dark side: acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound that forms when frying at high temperatures, is present in the darker, well-done varieties. Some users have given them up after losing 25 kg. Others opt for making them at home with Galician potatoes and 0.4-grade olive oil, letting them sweat so they turn out crispy. The homemade option lets you control the salt and oil, but takes time.
The consensus gap
With so many options, agreement stalls on the choice between flavour and health. Artisan brands win on quality but lose on availability and price. Supermarket ones are cheaper but often saltier. And homemade chips, ideal in theory, are not always realistic for everyday life. So the question remains open: which is the best potato chip? It depends on what you are looking for, but one thing is certain: this debate will not be settled any time soon.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (67 replies).
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