There's a Monster in my lunchbox! And it smells bad! (Walkers Monster Munch)

Member Name: The_Patriarch

Product:	Walkers Monster Munch
Date:	07/11/05 (764 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quite tasty . Good for Kids

Disadvantages: Not great value . Strong odour !

Monster Munch: Pickled Onion Flavour.

Before I start, let me just say that Monster Munch are a snack for kids, Definitely NOT for adults! This is because they have a childish quality about them and, besides, adults don't believe in Monsters, do they? Each packet should carry a health warning saying "Monster Munch is bad for your image. Not for Adults"
Indeed, I only consumed a pack of these for research purposes and, quite obviously, would never be seen with a packet in "real life". Let's face it. It's not big and it's not clever to have these in your lunch box! Of course, I'm not referring to the "Flamin Hot" flavour, which is a special exception.

****** So what are Monster Munch? ******

Monster Munch are a pale yellow coloured baked corn snack, produced in the shape of a "monster" foot, by our good ol' friends at Walkers. Unlike crisps or Doritos these are not flat, but more 3 dimensional - full of air - and quite crumby (if that's a word). Each "Munch" has four "toes" and a little hole in the middle. They've been around since the dawn of time itself and I believe they used to be made by Smiths prior to their assimilation by Walkers. There are now three flavours in the range and these are "Pickled Onion", "Roast Beef" and "Flamin' Hot". Once upon a time they even dabbled with…get this….Vanilla Ice Cream flavour! Absurd!

***** Packaging *****

To my knowledge all Monster Munch come in 25g packs. The Pickled Onion flavour come in a bright purple foil packet which has the Walkers logo to the top left, the words Monster Munch emblazoned across the front in green and red and a cartoon picture of a suitably "scary" orange monster. Under the words "Pickled Onion flavour is a picture of three Monster Munches. On the reverse side of the pack there is all the usual nutritional information, ingredients, Best Before date and Consumer Services Information. In addition, and presumably just for the kids, you are given a profile of "Orange Monster" who, apparently, weighs 60 stone, has a height of 2.3 metres (crouched), has a chest of 2 metres, his favourite drink is Onion Juice and favourite food is Broccoli Ice Cream. His occupation: Monster. (Huh? What's all that about?)

***** Taste and Smell*****

Upon opening the packet your nostrils are assaulted by a very strong odour! Hmm...I think you can definitely smell something like vinegar. Well…pickled onions in fact….er..sort of. Anyway, it flippin' whiffs! As already mentioned, the "Munch" is shaped like a monster foot. So pick out a little monster foot and shove it in your gob. Mmmm, nice. Quite pleasant and tangy in fact. They're so light and airy that you don't actually have to munch them, you could suck them and they'll dissolve in no time. Not quite the crunch you'd get from a crisp, that's for sure. Despite the pleasing taste, these snacks are extremely smelly! The odour sticks to your hands and violates your breath, rendering you completely reprehensible to all around. Be warned. Do not attempt to socialise following your consumption of Pickled Onion flavour Monster Munch. You'll lose friends faster than a sweaty, vindaloo eating Sumo wrestler with bad wind!

***** Ingredients and Nutritional Information *****
Ingredients, which are clearly labelled on the reverse of the pack, include all the usual suspects: Maize, vegetable oil, flavour enhancers, sweetener and salt. Monster Munch are suitable for Vegetarians, but do contain a source of phenylalanine (which, apparently, is an amino acid).

Each 25g pack contains 124 calories; 6.3g Fat (2.8g is Saturates); 15.5g Carbohydrate (0.5g is Sugars); 1.5g Protein; 0.4g Dietary Fibre and 0.3g Salt.


***** Price and Availability *****

As mentioned before, these have been around for a very long time and are very popular, so you'll find them in just about every good shop (& some bad ones) that sells crisps and snacks. The single bag retails for 27p in Tesco and this is probably the same for most supermarkets. I actually emptied my pack to find out what you get and counted 18 "Munches", which would work out at 1.5p each. Not brilliant value. Monster Munch are also available in a six pack selling for 96p or an Assorted Multipack 10 pack at £1.44. I purchased mine from a vend machine for a staggering 40p!


***** Customer Service *****

Customer Services can be contacted at the following address:

Consumer Services Department
Walkers Snack Foods Ltd
PO Box 23
Leicester LE4 8ZU

For additional information on all Walkers products, visit their website at:

http://www.walkers.co.uk

***** Final Thoughts *****

I remember eating these many, many years ago (obviously at a time when image wasn't an issue). The taste has changed from what I remember and the "Munches" have got smaller, but they still smell to high heaven! Whilst no longer an avid fan of Pickled Onion flavour, they are still a pleasant snack and I would recommend you give them a try but with the caveat that you wash you hands and clean your teeth immediately afterwards. Be prepared to be ostracised!

Many thanks for reading. Cheers!

Summary: Tasty snack for kids. Strong flavour and aroma.