I don't think Pringles are real potato chips...

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

bbhaag

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2011
7,129
2,558
146
Next time you buy ice cream look at the package. You might be surprised that package says "frozen dairy dessert". Processed cheeses like Velveeta and Kraft singles use the term "cheese food" on their labels too. Some of it has to do with FDA regulations but most of it has to do with lawsuits filed over the years.
 

twinrider1

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2003
4,096
64
91
They're more like the onion in Burger King onion rings than McD fries. They are to chips as MDF is to solid wood. They still taste good though, once a year.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
French Fries are overrated anyhow. If they're not smothered in gravy & curds, I'm barely interested.

We had a poutine bar at our wedding. Epic.

Canadians wusses. the only way to eat fries is smothered in spicy green chili and cheese.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bubba-chinos-brighton

o.jpg
 
Dec 10, 2005
27,634
12,044
136
Next time you buy ice cream look at the package. You might be surprised that package says "frozen dairy dessert". Processed cheeses like Velveeta and Kraft singles use the term "cheese food" on their labels too. Some of it has to do with FDA regulations but most of it has to do with lawsuits filed over the years.
That's because for some products, like chocolate and ice cream, there are specific protocols they have to adhere to with respect to the ingredients. For the frozen dairy dessert, it's likely because they're whipping in more air compared to what the regulations governing what can be called ice cream allow.
 

Azuma Hazuki

Golden Member
Jun 18, 2012
1,532
866
131
Pringles are chips, the way particle board is wood. It's still potatoes, salt, oil, and heat at the end of the day.
 

Mike64

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2011
2,108
101
91
Pringles are chips, the way particle board is wood.
In other words, "not at all except in the most superficial way imaginable". At best, they're "potato chippy", in the same way that "science-y" relates to "scientific"...;)

I've never understood the point. I tried them when they first came out (or rather when they went national, apparently, per WIkipedia), partly just for the hell of it (like freeze-dried ice cream and Pop Rocks) and partly figuring there'd be some reason for their existence at all. Like they'd taste good or something. But they were awful then, and they were just as awful the last time I realized they were still selling them a year or so ago and bought a a small can to see if anything had changed in the 40 or so years since I could remember last eating one. It hadn't. :( You might almost just as well eat mashed potato flakes with a spoon, straight out of the package...
 
Last edited:

gorobei

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2007
3,928
1,409
136
In other words, "not at all except in the most superficial way imaginable". At best, they're "potato chippy", in the same way that "science-y" relates to "scientific"...;)

I've never understood the point. I tried them when they first came out (or rather when they went national, apparently, per WIkipedia), partly just for the hell of it (like freeze-dried ice cream and Pop Rocks) and partly figuring there'd be some reason for their existence at all. Like they'd taste good or something. But they were awful then, and they were just as awful the last time I realized they were still selling them a year or so ago and bought a a small can to see if anything had changed in the 40 or so years since I could remember last eating one. It hadn't. :( You might almost just as well eat mashed potato flakes with a spoon, straight out of the package...
its called commercialism, and it makes use of the crap tons of potatoes that would otherwise be discarded because of size, shape, and color irregularities that have zero effect on flavor or nutrition.
the majority of spuds of any given variety will have tons of variance and if only ideal/sellable ones are selected then a huge percentage of the crop will be rejected. instead of wasting them new products arise. tater tots are what happens when you cut all the long fries out of an irregular shaped spud and cant get a useful cut from the ends. pringles use the remaining crops that cant be cut into "pretty" chips. it is a uniform product and supposedly the saddle shape reduces breakage during transport.

i would rather see a product like pringles on the shelves than think about how much edible crops get thrown away. one harvest of a particular potato was thrown away when a virus/bacteria infected that year's crop and increased the sugar content such that any chip made out of it would darken/caramelize too much and turn it too brown during frying but wouldnt affect flavor or nutrition.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,181
9,658
126
Only if you eat way too many of them on a chips-per-pound-of-body-weight basis...:rolleyes:
That's my problem. All chips come in single serving containers. If I start I have a hard time stopping. That's why I don't often buy chips.

I liked Pringles when I was a kid, and I revisit them every so often hoping for the old joy, but it's never provided. They're alright, but pretty meh. I'd rather get real chips if I'm gonna calorie binge. Dollar store kettle chips are surprisingly good. One of my favorites of any brand. I also like Martins. They use solid shortening(uh oh), and it tastes kind of like a lard fried chip.
 

Mike64

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2011
2,108
101
91
its called commercialism, and it makes use of the crap tons of potatoes that would otherwise be discarded because of size, shape, and color irregularities that have zero effect on flavor or nutrition.
Brought to you by Dr Pangloss's School of Economic Theory... Errm, ok. If you say so...
 
Last edited:

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
61,356
16,900
136
Next time you buy ice cream look at the package. You might be surprised that package says "frozen dairy dessert". Processed cheeses like Velveeta and Kraft singles use the term "cheese food" on their labels too. Some of it has to do with FDA regulations but most of it has to do with lawsuits filed over the years.
It really depends on which ice cream you're buying, some of them are still ice cream.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,663
6,233
126
I like Pringles, except for one thing: They are too consistent in flavour. What's nice with other "Chips" is that there is some variation due to normal variations within and between potatoes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lxskllr

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,128
4,903
136
I'm gonna disagree with you on battered fries, i don't like them at all. You never had the fries supreme at Taco Bell? All the stuff on top hides their horrible fries

fries.jpg

That looks like someone already ate it once. So does poutine.

Gross.
 

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
32,508
10,679
136
The only thing that matters about pringles is the huge amount of flavouring they put on them! If the salt and vinegar ones aren't melting your face they are fail!
 

momeNt

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2011
9,290
352
126
Pringles are manufactured potato product, not bad for what they are, but not technically a true chip.