By Cambria Kelly and Rosie Lu
I’ll admit it: Lay’s has nearly perfected its large selection of chips, each is crafted with delicacy and delectable seasoning. However, even among these chips, there exists a clear hierarchy of flavors, and today I’ll be setting it straight.
Wavy: “peak”
In the words of Gen Z, this timeless rendition of the classic potato chip is truly peak. The “peaks” and valleys of the ridged chip capture fine grains of salt, which release their simple essence after biting down. That hearty crunch reverberates within the walls of your mouth, a truly indescribable bliss. A personal happiness hack is to stuff a few chips into your sandwich to elevate it beyond fine dining.
Original: “perf”
Smooth. Salty. Crispy. These classic Lay’s potato chips are perfectly minimalistic, with no seasonings to get between your taste buds and the delicate crisp. The pure flavor of the potato shines through in this chip, fully enhanced by the flakes of salt coating every bite. If I ever feel uncertain about what I want, Classics are always the right choice, with their inviting yellow packaging representing the happiness they hold.
Sour Cream: “yumm”
Sour cream and onion. What seasoning combo could be better? These Lay’s chips clearly prove themselves superior to barbeque in any way, shape, or form. The barely-there tangy creaminess from sour cream, juxtaposed with the subtle, sharp pepperiness from green onion, brings the consumer to the distant heights of flavor heaven. The flavor reminds me of long road trips, joyfully crunching away a bag of these chips, unable to stop myself.
Barbeque – “underdog”
I OBJECT TO THESE RANKINGS. Sour cream may be good, but barbecue chips are at least 1.5 times better with their tangy flavors and sweet accents. The second you open the shining bag, a poof of ketchup-py goodness fills the nose, and your salivary glands start begging for a taste. So what do you do? Eat the entire bag, of course. Each chip holds the perfect amount of flavor, and the unique mix of spices satisfies every craving you may have.
Chedder: “ewew”
The one thing everyone can and should agree on: cheddar cheese chips would be better off discontinued. The only thing they have out for them is their perfect shape and crunch, but guess what? Every Lay’s chip has that very same foundation, and only cheddar proceeds to ruin its potential with a poorly crafted seasoning intended to replicate the glory of cheddar cheese. Don’t get me wrong, though! I love cheese–it’s quite possibly my favorite dairy product ever–but I would much rather eat a Cheez-it or Goldfish than a powdery and strange cheddar Lay. There’s not much else to say aside from a conclusive, “Ew!”