THE tree will soon be up and the table set – for Christmas crunch.
With party season near, revellers will reach for the crisps.
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But this year promises to be more festive than ever.
Crisps favourite Walkers recently launched a yuletide range including even a Christmas pudding flavour, and most supermarkets are following suit with their own specials.
But are the novelty nibbles jolly tasty or disappointing?
Laura Stott chomps down and awards each a mark out of five . . .
READ MORE TASTE TESTS
Finest Camembert, Honey & Rosemary
150g, £1.35 tesco.com
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OVER to the Christmas cheese-board and Boxing Day picky tea for the inspiration here.
I thought the flavour sounded tasty and a nice change from the season’s turkey and pork-themed snacks.
But when I opened the bag and tucked in, unfortunately I couldn’t detect very much cheese, honey or rosemary because everything was overpowered by salt.
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Decent chunky crisps, if a little bit greasy, but they delivered little of their promised festive tastes. Quite pricey, too
Turkey Curry Flavour Party Mix
150g, £1.10 asda.com
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IT’S a classic Boxing Day treat but if you can’t wait until then to indulge in turkey curry, with a touch of spice, this bite should hit the spot.
The variously shaped lattices, tubes and squares pack a strong flavour and smell but it was seemed more reminiscent of garlic and herbs.
The big bag is good fun and ideal for sharing out in bowls for telly snacking over the festive period.
But it’s a shame the shapes weren’t more Christmassy.
Hardly the most sophisticated of seasonal spuds.
Rating: 3/5
Brie & Bubbly Hand Cooked
150g, £1.50 sainsburys.co.uk
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WHO doesn’t love a sliver of cheese and glass of bubbly? Now enjoy these in crisp form.
This snack was an absolute treat – generously thick crisps perfect for crunching into and flavoured with French cheese and Italian dry sparkling wine.
They are pretty pungent but a touch of vinegar keeps things in check and it’s all the better for delivering that stinky cheese-board vibe.
Quality bite, perfect for parties or just as a nice alternative for those who don’t like meaty-tasting snacks.
Worth splashing out on, this was my favourite of the lot.
Rating: 5/5
Pigs in Blankets
150g, £1.15 Aldi (stores)
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MANY people’s favourite Christmas dinner trimming is transformed into a fried potato flavour so at least this way no one will be fighting over who gets the last one.
The lovely, generous festive bag looks far more expensive than the price is and you get plenty to go round.
There’s a strong sausage taste and smell, and with porkers the main theme it’s not surprising these are rather salty.
You also get an unexpected kick of paprika, along-side an unusual herby aftertaste.
Meat lovers are bound to find these marvellously moreish.
Rating: 5/5
Roast Turkey, Sage & Onion
150g, £1.15 Lidl (in stores)
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A BARGAIN choice, these give you a proper waft of turkey with all the trimmings as soon as you open the bag.
They are packed full of the traditional Christmas dinner flavours, and it’s easy to detect the sage and onion.
Although this is perhaps a bit over-powering, far stronger than the turkey flavour, the crisps’ contents are otherwise fairly well balanced.
They were a bit oily and mostly quite small but if it’s a roast in a bag you want, this delivers.
Good fun.
Rating: 3/5
Christmas Tortilla Stars
175g, £1.50 Marks & Spencer (stores)
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THESE corn and vegetable-based chompers come in a very festive packet decorated with seasonal colours and motifs.
So it should be sure to get you bang in the mood for the season of great joy.
The beetroot-red, spinach-green and natural tortilla chips also look great, like edible stars from the night sky.
The taste is rather salty but these big bites would be delicious washed down with a glass of bubbly or some mulled wine.
A quality seasonal novelty snack and nice alternative to your run-of-the-mill potato chips.
Rating: 4/5
The Best Turkey & Stuffing
125g, £1.35 Morrisons.com
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QUALITY hand-cooked crisps made of thick, chunky slices of proper potato, with loads of crunch and no grease.
The skins have also been left on so they look and taste like a superior snack.
But they are a little pricey for just a 125g bag rather than the more more standard 150g.
That said, as a December treat these are delicious.
The turkey aroma here isn’t too artificial and the herby stuffing is nice and mellow rather than sharp.
A good option for posh snacking.
Rating: 3/5
