Different Flavors of Pringles in Asia & Are Pringles Healthy?
Read this post before you eat Pringles. The American potato chip brand has some of the most recognizable packaging and logo designs in the world. However, many people don’t know enough about what’s inside the cylindrical cans.
We’re about to reveal all of the main ingredients in the average Pringles product, including facts about the number of chips per can, calories per serving, and health implications. We’ll round it all up with a brief overview of Pringles mainstream flavors and unique Asian offerings.
What Pringles Are Really Made Of
Contrary to what some might believe, Pringles isn’t made from real potatoes. With a potato content of only 42%, the main ingredient used in the snack is dehydrated processed potato. These dried potatoes are mixed with wheat starch, corn flour, rice flour, vegetable oils, seasoning, salt, high-oleic soybean, maltodextrin, cotton seed, and cornstarch. Pringles’ unique formula is responsible for the unmistakable crunchy texture and hyperbolic paraboloid shape of its chips.
The manufacturing process starts with the grinding of dehydrated raw potatoes into fine granules. Following the brand’s internal recipe, this potato powder is mixed with water, oil, sweeteners (dextrose, MSG, etc.), and most of the ingredients mentioned earlier to form a pasty dough. Using a funnel, the dough is poured onto a conveyor belt, which spreads it into a thin sheet and transports it to a cutting machine. This machine slices the sheets into oval shapes.
The dough is then passed to another machine, which reshapes each piece into a saddle-like shape known as a hyperbolic paraboloid. All of the chips are given this uniform shape so that they can be stacked on top of each other. The unique shape is also responsible for Pringle’s sturdiness, durability, and extra-crunchy texture.
The saddle-shaped dough slices are passed though oil and fried for about 15 seconds. This frying time is much shorter than that of traditional chip brands and is only possible because of Pringles’ unique formula. After frying, the chips are packaged in a cylindrical container and are ready for shipping.
There has been some debate about how many Pringles are in a standard can. We’ve seen consumers throw around all kinds of numbers, from sensible figures like 50 to absurd numbers like 200. To prevent an all-out snack war, we decided to do some research and seek out the answer.
From our findings, we noticed that the standard Pringles can, which weighs 5.5 oz or about 155 g, contains 14 chips per serving. Since there are about 6 servings in the can, we deduced that there are about 84 Pringles chips in a standard can.
Nutritional Profile: Analyzing Pringles Nutrition Facts
The nutritional profile for Pringles varies depending on the flavor. Nevertheless, most variations share certain nutritional facts. Pringles generally does not contain cholesterol or trans fat. However, it contains a significant amount of saturated fat (about 13% of the daily recommended value per serving). It also contains carbohydrate (6% of the recommended DV) and sodium from salt (7% of the recommended DV). This means that it’s fine to enjoy a few servings of Pringles per day, provided you maintain a healthy, balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
A serving of Pringles, which is about 28 g, contains 150 calories on average. Humans need 2,000–2,500 calories a day. This means that you would have to eat nearly 17 servings of Pringles for it to pose a caloric problem, which is highly unlikely, unless you really, really love Pringles. We can take things further by analyzing how many calories are in a single chip. Since each serving contains 14 chips, there are approximately 10.7 calories in one Pringles chip. So, the question is, are they a healthy snack choice?
Saying Pringles is a “healthy” snack may be overstating its nutritional value. However, the snack only becomes unhealthy if you rely on it alone for your daily nutrients. It provides energy from carbohydrates, which means that it can be part of a healthy diet. Take note of the following tips:
-
Pair the snack with protein-rich food like chicken or tofu and vitamin sources like vegetables and fruits.
-
Practice mindful eating and portion control by removing a serving of chips and placing it in a bowl.
-
Stock up on different flavors of Pringles and make choices based on what tastes complement each meal.
Why Pringles? Comparing with Other Popular Snacks
Unlike other snack chips, Pringles are made with dried processed potato instead of real potato slices. Mixing corn and wheat ingredients with the pulverized potatoes allows the chips to be extruded into saddle shapes that contribute to their crunchy nature. Pringles was also the first to use a cylindrical container, a design that appeals to modern consumers. In fact, many consumers choose Pringles for their snack time because its containers are more convenient than traditional chip bags.
Pairing Perfection: Best Drinks to Enjoy with Your Favorite Pringles
Let’s explore some beverage pairings for different Pringles flavors. Generally, sparkling wine is a great pairing for all kinds of Pringles flavors. The spicy flavors pair well with beer or fruity gin. If you’re enjoying sour flavors, red wine is the best option. For savory flavors, we recommend white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc.
The Wide World of Pringles: How Many Flavors Exist?
The Kellogg Company has made dozens of Pringles flavors available globally. While we wish we could discuss them all, we can only highlight a few of the more popular ones. Check them out!
-
Original: Until the 1980s, this was the only flavor available. It’s still a favorite among Pringles lovers, thanks to the salty taste of crispy fried potatoes.
-
Sour Cream & Onion: This product features the taste of savory sour cream and refreshing green onion. It’s arguably the most popular flavor in the U.S. after the original.
-
Cheddar Cheese: Crispy potato snack seasoned with savory and cheesy flavors.
-
Hot & Spicy: This is a popular UK variant. It brings the bold flavors of cayenne pepper.
-
Salt & Vinegar: The potato crisps literally explode in your mouth and release savory vinegar flavors with each bite.
-
Honey Mustard: One of the most unique variations, it perfectly blends the sweetness of honey and the tanginess of mustard.
-
Las Meras Meras Habaneras: This Mexican-inspired snack is pretty popular in the U.S. It features the bold taste of grilled habanero pepper.
Taste Tour: Popular Pringles Flavors in Asia
Pringle’s Asian flavors are some of the most unique in the brand’s lineup, thanks to the diverse tastes in the region. The following are popular Pringles flavors found in Asian markets:
-
King Crab: It's seasoned with savoy crab and tangy chili lemon, creating a spicy and zesty blast.
-
Super Hot: It features the fiery taste of Sichuan spices.
-
Seaweed: This umami-rich flavor is only available in China.
-
Spicy Grilled Squid: It's seasoned with the taste of grilled squid and Thai spices.
-
Umashio: This Japanese flavor is similar to the original crisps, but with a focus on umami seasoning.
Bokksu Market is home to some must-try Asian flavors of Pringles, including King Crab, Super Hot, Seaweed, and Tomato. Feel free to explore our store and grab as many as you want. For more details, read our recent Asian Pringles post. It will deepen your knowledge of Pringles’ diverse flavors in Asia.
Bokksu is not responsible for the accuracy of the products’ nutritional or allergen information. Warning: California’s Proposition 65 may be in effect. For more information,visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Some Bokksu Market products are produced overseas and may have a Production Date printed on the packaging, rather than a Best Buy Date as is standard in North America. If your product appears expired, do not be alarmed! This is most likely the Production Date. All items have been double checked to ensure they are not expired and safe to eat.
Disclaimer
×
-
Trending Posts
-
Author Bio
More from the blog
View all
