** Pop In A Poppadom! ** (Walkers Sensations Poppadom Bites Lime & Coriander Chutney)

Member Name: izzoh

Product:	Walkers Sensations Poppadom Bites Lime & Coriander Chutney
Date:	19/01/09 (297 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty, full of flavour, great for sharing, somethin special .

Disadvantages: Smelly breath, unhealthy to say the least, you can't stop eating them !

** Once upon a time... **

Well, I am sure that most people have heard of the famous Walkers crisps. If you don't... then you should do! They have been around long enough that's for sure. During 1954 in Leicester A butcher called Henry Walker (well that tells you where the brand name comes from!) made the first ever flavoured crisp. Cheese and Onion! (This is my favourite by the way!) Now the odd thing was, this Walker guy was a butcher, so why did he make crisps?? Well, around 1948 meat was very scarce due to the rationing of the Second World War and he decided to try his hand at cooking slices of potato in order to raise a little extra income. Abracadabra, it was the beginning of Walkers Crisps!
Walkers are now owned by the huge PepsiCo International Company, who is also home to well know brands such as Pepsi, Quaker Oats and Tropicana. Just to name a few!

** Walkers Sensations - Lime & Coriander Chutney Poppadoms**

(Try saying that when you're drunk!)
The sensations brand Launched in 2002 and was marketed as the "Posh" crisp from Walkers, (also advertised by Posh Spice, Mrs. Victoria Beckham herself!) They produced original and mouth watering flavours such as Thai Sweet Chilli and up until the present day they are still a popular favorite for people who like a little something different. Sensations Poppadoms were launched in 2004. In my opinion this seemed to be a time when culinary and food experimentation really took off.
In the UK at the moment, everyone is being blown away by cooking shows, famous chefs and worldwide cuisine. Have a look at the V magazine and count how many cooking shows have slowly made their way into the timetable. Walkers obviously used their business sense and zoomed in on this and out popped the Lime and Coriander chutney Poppadoms!

** Traditional Poppadoms **

Otherwise known as Papadum, the traditional version is similar to a large thin cracker or a crispy thin pancake and originates from Asian cuisine. Throughout Asia the taste, style and ingredients of Poppadoms varies greatly from region to region and there is no set in stone method of what a Poppadom should look or taste like. However, in the UK they are usually sold plain so you can add your own flavours or sold with garlic and herb seasoning. Maybe they think we are not adventurous enough! In India, they are mainly used as an accompaniment to a main meal. A bit like garlic bread with pasta dishes and prawn crackers with Chinese food. In the UK they are pretty much used in the same manner, usually as a side dish with curries or Indian dishes. But smaller ones are also produced for snacks, or as a starter. Poppadoms are most commonly associated with Indian food. It isn't surprising that Poppadoms sell well as According to Britain's Food Standards Agency, The Indian food industry in the UK is worth £3.2 billion! So Walkers have done their research! Now here is mine!

** Whiff & Savour **

In any food product, especially snacks as far as I am concerned the most important feature is the taste! Hence why I am embarking on this before the packaging etc. If it marks low on taste then the rest doesn't matter. When was the last time you bought something you knew tasted horrid? (Even if it was half price!) And as for smell, well if it smells bad then the likeliness is that my taste buds will also take a disliking. So here goes. Now, to be fair, I am not a big fan of Lime and coriander is something that I am not overly familiar with as a standalone flavour. So I was apprehensive about the trying these. Also, I know Poppadoms can be quite plain and I was worried they would be a bit dry. But here is the verdict.
When you first open the bag you get a strong waft of well... it isn't lime but almost a bbq / rib sort of smell. It is sweet, very deep and strong but mouth watering. I might need some breath freshener after these beauties!

After a loud crunch (no getting away with eating these secretly in the corner!) the taste buds get all excited. To begin with you get the strong flavour of coriander and the sweetness of the chutney. Then after a couple of poppadoms you get the distinct taste of Lime. If you chew them properly (not just bite and swallow) then you get more of the lime flavour coming through. It is an odd flavour, quite overpowering but very flavoursome and delicious. After a few more, the spicy tang becomes more apparent and this is what separates the troopers from the trumpers! If you like spicy food with a tang you could munch through these until you were left with an empty packet. If you are however, more sensitively tongued then a few will probably be enough for you. The flavour is stunning. These are probably more suited to eating alone rather then as a starter or a meal accompaniment as they are quite heavily seasoned. However, they would be great with some dips for an extra lunchtime treat!

The bag states that these are made with traditional gram flour to recreate an authentic taste of India. Well, although they do taste great I don't think they are that authentic to be honest. Yes they would look great as an accompaniment. But in terms of resembling traditional poppadoms I don't think they quite live up to the traditional style. But for a new original snack, these are divine!

** Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! **

They don't look like normal poppadoms. But for anyone that would like to criticise the authenticity of these, the pack clearly states just underneath the title that these are Poppadom STYLE snacks. Aha... that's the key... I could be a STYLE of supermodel the slightly overweight, under-attractive, office worker style of supermodel. You catch my drift?
Anyway, these poppadoms resemble a large Shell shape and are curved rather then the expected flat, shape, which I think make them great as a dipping snack. They are dark yellow and look like a mixture between Quavers crisps and skips (If you're a crisp fan you will know what I am talking about) if your not then they are bite size shell shapes with tiny little bubble holes in. The seasoning is quite obvious on the poppadoms and you can see specks of green, orange and red. If you dished them up on an attractive dish they would look very appetising! All the poppadoms are in different shapes and sizes and like most snacks in bags; they tend to get a little crushed up towards the bottom of the bag so get in there first is my advice!

** It isn't just what's on the inside! **

The packaging is definitely what sells the product. The deep purple and lime green bag stands out on the shelf (which is why I found it so easily)! I have the 90g bag which they say is better to share. BOO! I like them so much I want to keep them all to myself! I must say that also the bag is pretty large, it is just over half full, but then again most crisp and snack packs are a little on the empty side these days.

The packaging for all Walkers Sensations is designed by a company called Landor who has been running for over 60 years so they are in the know to what the consumer wants. In my opinion they have done really well with the design. It is definitely for those people who want a little more from normal products and who want something special, whether it is a treat or on a regular basis. These packs really capture your imagination as it has bright clear images of the ingredients on the front that have been used to flavour the poppadoms. This entices you to take a closer look and almost seduces you into wanting to have a taste yourself. The colours used on the packaging, the deep purples and greens relate closely to those found in Asian cooking and packaging. I guess it all adds up to trying to make the product as authentic as possible.

** How much and who from? **

These are sold in most supermarkets and are found in the crisp aisle along with the likes of Pringles, kettle chips and popcorn. At £1.46 they may seem a little pricy, but for the large bag it isn't too bad. Plus, you're paying for the wondrous taste. I actually bought mine in Asda and they were on offer (99p!) so I bought two packs. One is now hidden away in the cupboard! Obviously depending on where you shop prices will vary and I imagine these will be stocked based on their popularity so let's save the Poppadom!

** The things you might or might not want to know, but better you should! **

After reading the nutritional info of these, I have decided it is a lot better to share. Only because I am kind at heart and nothing to do with the fact that one pack has almost 20g of fat and over 400 Calories! So much for the New Year's resolution! But all things in moderation and you can't go wrong. In case you were wondering, it also packs in 3g of salt which is ghastly!
On the brighter side, these are suitable for Vegetarians and Coeliacs.

** The other things to get your hands on **

As I said before, Walkers are a hugely popular brand and now have a large Sensations product range. If you liked the poppadoms or if you feel like a change for something a bit more special then this is what else they offer
Caramelised Onion & Sweet Balsamic Vinegar
Gently Infused Lime & Thai Spices
Lamb with Moroccan Spices
Oven Roasted Chicken with Lemon & Thyme
Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper
Szechuan Spice
Thai Sweet Chilli (Another favorite of mine)
Vintage Cheddar & Red Onion Chutney
Sensations oriental crackers - Peking Spare Rib & Five Spice

** All in all **

In my opinion these are more crisps then poppadoms and are probably not that suited to go with an Indian meal as the flavour is too intense to mix with anything else that has a strong flavour.
It is a brilliant that Walkers have come up with, a nice change to the normal snack and enticing to have with a group of friends or a get together. I don't suppose they could fit many into a small, individual pack so I doubt these will be on sale in multipacks anytime soon which is a shame.
(Pictures included so you can have a closer look)
I will definitely buy these again... as soon as I have my gym membership to burn of those calories...

Thankyou for reading!

Summary: A special snack if you are bored of crisps!