It's officially National Crisp Day, a day to celebrate all things crisp (or chip if you're on the other side of the pond). A delicate, thin slice of potato, the crisp is deep-fried, baked, or air-fried to get its famous tastiness. Have them as a snack or even a side dish (in place of chips) in some restaurants, as they are truly versatile.
Basic crisps are cooked and salted, but they can also come in flavours such as cheese and onion, prawn cocktail, barbecue, sour cream and more.
From well-loved British brands like Walkers, Tyrells, Hula Hoops and McCoys, to Pringles and Doritos – National Crisp Day was created so that we can celebrate the number one snack in many households all over the world.
When is National Crisp Day?
National Crisp Day is celebrated on March 14.
Where did crisps originate?
The earliest known recipe for something similar to today's crisp is in William Kitchiner's book The Cook's Oracle published in 1817. It was a bestseller in the UK and the US.
In terms of mass production, it's believed that crisps were first produced commercially by the Mikesell's Potato Chip Company in America in 1910. The Ohio-based company identifies itself as the "oldest potato chip company in the United States".
The Smiths company, founded in London in 1920, spiced up the market by adding different seasonings to their crisps. Flavoured crisps appeared in the 1950s, gaining popularity in the 1960s and 70s.
What are Britain’s favourite crisps?
According to research by Perspectus Global, from a survey based on 2,000 Britons, Walker's Cheese and Onion came out on top as Britain's most-loved packet of crisps. Next came Monster Munch's beef flavour.
Here is the full list:
Walkers (Cheese and Onion) – 38 per cent
Monster Munch (Beef) – 34 per cent
Walkers (Salt and Vinegar ) – 31 per cent
Pringles (Original) – 28 per cent
Walkers (Ready Salted) – 27 per cent
Hula Hoops (Beef) – 21 per cent
Bacon Frazzles – 20 per cent
Salt and Vinegar Squares – 20 per cent
Skips – 19 per cent
Monster Munch (Pickled Onion) – 18 per cent
Quavers – 18 per cent
Doritos (Cool Original) – 17 per cent
Pringles (Sour Cream and Chive) – 15 per cent
Pringles (Salt and Vinegar) – 15 per cent
Doritos (Tangy Cheese) – 12 per cent
Walkers (Prawn Cocktail) – 11 per cent
Nik Naks (Nice‘n’Spicy) – 10 per cent
Scampi Fries – 10 per cent
Wotsits – Nine per cent
Hula Hoops (Salt and Vinegar) – Eight per cent
Ellie Glason from Perspectus Global, which carried out the study, said “Brits are a nation of crisp lovers, so we thought it would be interesting to see which brands and flavours we love the most.
"It’s great to see that while more modern snacks such as Pringles and Doritos are popular, we clearly still love many of our childhood favourites."
How are flavours made?
Each manufacturer has different processes for creating flavours.
Herbs, spices, cheeses, other natural flavours, artificial flavours, and additives are blended with flavouring top notes and other ingredients to make the flavours that consumers love to experience
As illuminated by Guardian journalist Amelia Tait’s deep dive into the world of crisp flavours last year, Brilcrisp flavour launches can act as a rough timeline of travel and immigration trends. This is why Walkers launched Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations in the UK in 2002. “That tipping point into the mainstream is very important for picking a big flavour,” global development director Tom Wade said.
