Should you try Harry Kane’s uniquely textured snacks?
SunSport`s Dan King, who claims to be an expert in savory snacks (perhaps even more so than football), recently put Kane`s foray into the crisp world to the ultimate taste test.
The snacks, backed by the England captain, are special editions from the Insane Grain brand. They are made from sorghum and corn and contain the probiotic Bacillus Coagulans.
While the England captain has certainly outscored Gary Lineker for the national team, he`s unlikely to overtake the Match of the Day host in the supermarket snack aisle.
If you`re expecting a flavor as impactful as Kane is in front of the goal, you might find yourself underwhelmed.
However, the Bayern Munich striker`s line of “healthy” snacks is quite pleasant and won`t particularly shock anyone, much like the man himself.
A Pitch of Salt
The pale yellow color of these snacks isn`t particularly appealing or off-putting, and the same can be said for their flavor. They deliver exactly what the packet promises: a touch of salt, not too much (though nutritional info suggests they are the saltiest of the three variations). They`re okay.
Personally, I`d probably want to dip them in something, but that would negate the point of choosing a snack that`s supposed to be healthy – or at least, less unhealthy than typical options.
Rating: 4/10
SALT & VINEGOAAL
Another football-themed pun, this one is my personal favorite of the bunch. You`ll need to look past their appearance – they are a rather unappetizing beige, lacking the tempting `filth` of something similarly colored like pork crackling.
I consider myself knowledgeable about salt and vinegar snacks. While these don`t pack the intense punch of the undisputed champion – McCoys, with their satisfying ridges – they do offer a decent, malty vinegar tang.
Rating: 7/10
STRIKIN’ HOT
Let`s be honest: these baked, textured sticks are essentially Nik Naks under a different name. This immediately puts them in direct competition with the supreme Nik Naks variety, Nice ’N’ Spicy. And much like Kane’s former club Tottenham, these sadly come in a distant second place.
Again, the flavor is acceptable, but there just isn`t enough of it. If you`re going to call something “hot,” I expect to genuinely feel some heat. There`s a slight spicy aftertaste, but it`s not enough to excite my palate.
Rating 5/10
OVERALL VERDICT
If you`re a parent searching for a snack to keep the kids happy without overloading them with salt and fat, these could be a viable option (provided you pay attention to portion sizes).
Children often aren`t fond of strong flavors anyway, and the football connection might encourage them to overlook any lack of intense taste.
However, if you`re planning a sunny holiday weekend get-together, there are certainly tastier and more affordable ways to satisfy your snack cravings.
Despite Harry Kane`s claim on the back of the packets that they are “insanely delicious,” my opinion differs. At £2 per bag? I won`t be buying them again.
