Tortilla chips were accidentally made in southern California restaurants in the early 1900s, but they have become popular now. The tortilla chip industry makes about $5.3 billion annually, making it the second most popular snack in America, just behind potato chips, which might not be number one for long.
This article includes a list ranked from worst to best, compiled by a reviewer who tried out different types of tortilla chips. They were ranked based on the flavors, how salty they were, their strength (to see if they would not break easily), and how well they held up in guacamole. This should help you know which chips to grab for game day, nachos, or whenever you want a snack.
The Origins of Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips have an interesting history that starts with the traditional Mexican tortilla. Many people believe that frying tortillas to make a crunchy snack started in Mexico in the late 1940s. One particular story credits a woman named Rebecca Webb Carranza, who owned a tortilla factory in Los Angeles.
Carranza started cutting leftover tortillas into triangle shapes and frying them to create a snack for her customers. This idea quickly became popular. At first, people mostly ate the chips with dips like salsa and guacamole, which became a standard part of Mexican-American food. As time passed, the chips gained popularity across the United States and other countries.
This led to the creation of many different brands and flavors. Today, people enjoy chips in various ways, whether with dips or as a key ingredient in nacho tortilla chip recipes. Their crispy texture and flavor make them a popular snack among many people worldwide.
The Popularity of Tortilla Chips Today
These Mexican-American chips are viral today. Not only are they popular in the United States, but they are also well-known in other parts of the world. Although they started as a Mexican snack, people around the world love them because they taste great and can be eaten in many different ways. One reason for their popularity is that they go well with other types of food, most especially Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.
In the United States, people often eat these chips with salsa, guacamole, or melted cheese. They are a favorite at parties, restaurants, and casual hangouts. The chips are also the main ingredient in nachos, a popular dish at sports games, movie nights, and fast food spots.
There are many kinds of tortilla chips today, even homemade ones. People are getting more creative by using the chips in new ways, like adding them to salads or soups for a crunchy topping. This makes them even more popular. The fact that they are easy to use and not too expensive also adds to their popularity.
Whether you prefer eating them plainly, with a dip, or in recipes like nachos, these chips have become a favorite for people who love crispy and crunchy snacks.
ALSO READ: Taco Bell Revives Fan-Favorites with New ‘Nostalgic’ Menu
Criteria for Ranking Tortilla Chips
When ranking these chips, the reviewer bought from grocery stores, and several criteria were used to evaluate their quality, taste, and overall appeal. The following are some factors that were considered:
- Flavor: The taste of the chips is very important. It includes how well the corn flavor comes through, the saltiness of the chips, how balanced the seasoning is, and if they have unique flavors.
- Texture: The crunchiness and crispness of the chips were tested. Good chips should be crispy and have a satisfying crunch. It should also hold up well when dipped into salsa or guacamole without breaking easily.
- Ingredients: The reviewer looked at the ingredients. Chips made from whole, natural ingredients were better. Organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free options were of higher quality.
- Brand Reputation: Established brands that are well-known for quality ranked higher. This is because they often have a history of producing good products.
- Nutritional Value: The reviewer considered the dietary contents of each chip, focusing on nutritional contents like protein.
- Packaging: The packaging of each type of these chips was considered. Eye-catching packages are a positive factor, as they attract more customers. Packaging also keeps chips fresh and protected, especially when it is eco-friendly.
- Variety: The availability of different flavors and types, such as blue corn, white corn, or flavored options, enhanced the overall experience of the review.
The Ranked List
The following types of chips are ranked in descending order:
14. O Organics White Corn Tortilla Chips
13. Late July Organic Thin & Crispy Tortilla Chips
12. Tostitos Original Restaurant-Style Tortilla Chips
11. 365 Organic Restaurant-Style Salted Tortilla Chips
10. Calidad Tortilla Chips
9. Mission Fiesta Size Tortilla Rounds
8. Garden Of Eatin’ Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
7. On The Border Cafe Style Tortilla Chips
6. Que Pasa Organic Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips
5. Casa Sanchez Thin & Light Tortilla Chips
4. Siete Grain Free Tortilla Dip Chips
3. Gracias a Dios Multi-Corn Tortilla Chips
2. La Cocina de Josefina Mexican Restaurant-Style Tortilla Chips
1. Juantonio’s Gluten-Free Tortilla Chips
This list should help you know the perfect chips to grab whenever you want to snack on something delicious. Let us know in the comments if we missed any brand you love.