IT used to be our choice of crisp flavour was limited to ready salted or cheese & onion.

But the snacking market has come a long way in the last few years.

Last week, supermarket Lidl announced their latest premium crisp range – Deluxe with Love Negroni Hand Cooked Crisps arrived on the discount supermarket’s shelves.

The Italian cocktail-flavoured potato snacks – which Lidl describe as “revolutionary” – are the latest in a series of posh upmarket crisps to go on sale.

From Prosecco to real ale, it seems alcohol is the must-try trendy taste for this year’s festive parties.

Supermarkets and manufacturers are increasingly turning to weird and wacky flavours in the hope of capturing a growing snacking market.

Britons munch their way through a billion pounds’ worth of crisps every year.

A panel of Sunday Post taste-testers sampled the latest flavours for our special fancy crisp crunch challenge.

Lidl: Pigs In Blankets (99p)

What they said: “Like a nice cut of Sunday ham”.

“Tastes like the real thing – but crispy”.

“A bit small, but lovely for nibbling.”

Verdict: Our winner! Everyone made a bit of a pig of themselves and gave uniformly decent comments.

Crisp rating: 9

Tesco Finest: Creamy Brie and Cranberry (£1)

What they said: “Not a lot of cranberry, but cheesy. Magnifique!”

“Very tasty but the cheese is just slightly overpowering. Lovely and creamy, though.”

Verdict: Lacked a bit of cranberry sweetness — but perfect if you love smelly French cheese.

Crisp rating: 6

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VIDEO: Watch our taste test

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Tyrrell’s: Coconut & Lime Sweet Potato Crisps (£2.49)

 

What they said: “If they served this at a cocktail party, you’d leave.”

“Tastes like soap, or a facemask.”

“What I imagine it would be like to eat potpourri.”

Verdict: The limpest of all the crisps was loved by none of our panel.

Crisp rating: 1

 

Tesco Finest: Cocoa And Spiced Rum (£1)

What they said: “What’s wrong with crisps being crisps? Far too chocolaty.”

“Do I have to eat this?”

Verdict: Everyone wanted to try these odd-looking choc-style crisps, but not even the chocoholics wanted a second taste.

Crisp rating: 3

 

 

Seabrook : Chicken Jalfrezi (£1)

What they said: “One for the lads’ night in watching football”.

“Excellent – like chips and curry sauce”.

“Lattice is nice and crunchy”.

Verdict: As subtle as a brick but a spicy thumbs-up from our curry crew.

Crisp rating: 6

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VIDEO: What the people of Glasgow think…

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Mackie’s: Haggis & Black Pepper (£1)

What they said: “Peppery and tangy – might need a cooling dip”.

“Amazing, as far as crisps go these are the real deal.”

Verdict: These flavour-filled munchies just needed tatties, neeps and a glass of whisky.

Crisp rating: 8

 

M&S: Winter Berries And Prosecco (£2)

What they said: “Delicate and surprisingly bubbly. A nice mix of savoury and sweet. Perfect for a night in front of Strictly.”

“Slight unpleasant aftertaste. Love the edible gold stars though!”

Verdict: Our panel were sceptical but M&S’s bubbly crisps passed when it came to the crunch. Fizzylicious!

Crisp rating: 8

 

Lidl: Negroni Hand Cooked Crisps (99p)

What they said: “A bit bland – needs a dip!”

“Too orangey. Keep oranges away from potatoes.”

Verdict: Not many panel members had tasted a Negroni cocktail and this delicately-flavoured effort may not tempt them.

Crisp rating: 4

 

M&S: Bucks Fizz (£2)

What they said: “Something special, lovely orange aftertaste.”

“Refined and not overpowering”.

“What is the obsession with putting alcohol in crisps?”

Verdict: What a divisive packet! It popped the cork for some, but others hailed it cheap plonk at best.

Crisp rating: 5

Aldi: Vintage Cheddar and Real Ale (99p)

What they said: “Loads of cheese – but where’s the ale?”

“Very cheesy, could eat a lot of these”.

“Understated genius”.

Verdict: No worries about driving as few could detect any booze – a cheesy treat nonetheless.

Crisp rating: 7

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