Chip it forward
An adventure that started in 2013 for Nick and Kimberly turned from restaurant dreams to potato chip reality. Hen of the Woods was the name selected for the budding restauranteurs, but a slight atmospheric shift sent them toward the humble potato.
Hen of the Woods potato chips are not dissimilar in their appearance or texture of other quality potato chips. Kettle cooked in sunflower oil and/or safflower oil, expectations of the kettle crunch satisfied.
Perhaps it’s the flavor combinations that make these potato chips stand out from the crowd—a little different than other chips, including the red wine vinegar, white cheddar jalapeno, buttermilk & chive, and Carolina BBQ flavor profiles. Each one has its own unique personality of flavor.
Some of our taste testers’ comments included “It was a hit of flavor right away!”
“The Buttermilk & Chive was unexpected—it’s not your typical sour cream & chive chip—it’s different and was not a flavor I would have thought I would like,” commented the IMBHO crew.
As for the Jalapeno Cheddar, the heat was nice. If you like a hot chip, this may be for you; however, don’t expect to get a cheddar in the bite—it’s oddly missing.
As for the Carolina BBQ, it’s a smoky-sweet potato chip that hits all the right notes. This was a fan favorite.
The red wine vinegar punched the palate, and anyone who enjoys a good salt & vinegar potato chip will like this rendition. It’s full of flavor and crunch—exactly what it should be.
Sea salt was the final Hen of the Woods chip we tried. It was lackluster, unfortunately, underdelivering on salt. It just didn’t satisfy the salt lovers; however, it could be an answer to anyone looking for a lightly salted crunchy snack.
Overall Hen of the Woods potato chips were a hit with the IMBHO taste testers, giving these chips an IMBHO-yes!
For everyone who wants to try this chip, there are a lot of purchasing options. From a farmer’s market to mainstream, Hen of the Woods is now available on Amazon and in several other retailers throughout the U.S., including Fresh Thyme, Family Fare, and some regional stores. If you want to know where you can purchase these chips, visit the Hen of the Woods website and key in your zip.
You can also order from the company’s website where you can get 15% off your purchase with the code SUMMER—and free shipping on all orders. We’re not sure how long this promotion will last, so now is the time to order. A 4-pack of 6 oz bags (not snack bags) runs $20, or an 8-pack costs $32.00. Not a bad deal when you figure in the discount and free shipping.
Hen of the Woods also has a “Chip-it-Forward” program, where you can spend $10 and donate 10 bags of chips to Cincinnati healthcare workers (outside Cincinnati also available).
Considering the crisis we’ve been living in over the last year, it’s one way to give back to those who put their own health on the line to protect the health of others. Another IMBHO-yes for the Chip-it-Forward program!
