In fact, I put my love of chickpeas on display in a salad dressing review last year. I called my salad the "garbanzaganza." Interestingly, Trader Joe's calls this product "a garbanzo bonanza." I suppose you can and should make the distinction that my fictitious word is a mashup of "garbanzo" and "extravaganza," while TJ's uniquely employed the use of the word "bonanza" for this chickpea product.
Therefore,
this product shall henceforth be known as the "garbanzonanza" because
I'm big into fictitious words, contractions, portmanteaus, and all
manner of linguistic tomfoolery.
Then
I began to muse about the squirrel on the packaging. Wasn't aware
squirrels were into garbanzos—or any beans for that matter. They're more
into seeds and nuts. And that's why I think he's there: because this
product has a distinctly nutty flavor. Plus, these chickpeas are indeed
crispy like nuts, by virtue of them being fried and dried. Texture-wise,
they're very similar to wasabi peas.
They're "ranch seasoned," but honestly, they're not exactly bursting with ranch taste in my opinion. It's detectable, but it plays second fiddle to the natural taste of the beans, along with the other seasonings like onion and tomato powders.
$2.99 a bag, a good bit of fat and sodium, but also rich with fiber. Sonia will go with four and a half stars, stating, "I really like them a lot." Me too. Four stars here. Very unique.
Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.
These are cheaper for more than my favorite fancy food brand version i buy sometimes- I'm hoping this is the first of more flavors to come. I liked these as is for a snack but they're really fantastic added to salads, serves the same purpose as a crouton but with some protein and fiber too. I'll buy them again for sure
ReplyDeleteTtrockwood
Disagree with you on this one. I bought these for a "healthy" snack, and while the ranch flavor was fine, I couldn't get over an awful texture and mouthfeel. They disintegrated but not in a pleasant, crispy way - no, it just coated my mouth in a chalky powder. Wonder if I just got a bad handful.
ReplyDeleteI had the same experience. Really not good. So disappointing! The ones from Costco, on the other hand, are crispy, salty and delicious.
DeleteI wanted to try these but the store I go to stopped selling them because they weren't a big seller. Kinda disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI bought these and let them sit a few weeks because I just wasn't sure if I'd like them. But I finally tried them and they are great!
ReplyDelete