It’s a simple enough premise, really: slice potatoes thinly, fry, add seasonings. So why is it so difficult to get a not-too-greasy potato chip, with good color, great crunch, enough seasoning (but not too much), and overall outstanding flavor? I don’t have an answer to that, but at least one company has achieved the fine balance between art and science necessary to produce a potato chip I really like. Deep River Snacks, in Old Lyme, CT, describes themselves as “a small company making big waves in the snacking community”. I’m inclined to believe them, especially after reading that they conduct blind taste tests of any new flavor they’re thinking of introducing. If a majority of testers don’t pick their flavor over any competitors’ similar flavor, Deep River Snacks takes the new flavor back to the drawing board. I don’t know many companies with that philosophy (unfortunately, I also don’t know how to sign up for their taste tests!).
But I have strayed far afield and must return to the objects of my affection. The Original Salted Potato Chips are a near-perfect light golden brown, and they have the irregular shapes and sizes characteristic of honest potato chips (none of those pre-formed, perfectly-shaped pretenders for me!). I don’t know enough about making potato chips to tell you what makes them crunchy, but most other chips I’ve tried simply can’t equal the crunch you get here. The amount of salt is “spot on”, as they say in the UK—neither too much, nor too little. But what’s that? I’m too much of a purist? You like flavored chips? No problem! Deep River Snacks has a great line-up of flavored chips, including Mesquite BBQ, Asian Sweet & Spicy, and Salt & Cracked Pepper. There’s a Reduced Fat version of their Original Salted, as well. For those occasions when you might feel like a different snack, try their Sharp White Cheddar Popcorn or Baked Fries (available in Sweet Maui Onion and Jalapeno & Cheddar). I’m looking forward to trying everything in this roster I hadn’t known I was missing! Online ordering is available; for complete information, head over to Depriversnacks.com.