Move Beyond All the Gourmet Cheese: France's Crisps Represent Utterly Decadent.
I recently was staying in the French countryside, an area that appeared exuding refined charm. Tasteful, twinkling lights, market stalls stacked with beautifully vibrant fruits and veggies, and a vast array of cheeses capable of clogging every mile of the Chunnel with dairy fat. Overflowing trays of glistening shellfish atop ice beds glimpsed through steamy café panes. While observing a extended but civil line of stylish locals retrieving their artisanal *Bûche de Noël*, I felt a traitorous thought, that my native city, York, which turns into a present-day version of a tableau of excess during the festive season featuring mince-pie flavoured vapes and BuzzBallz, would do well to absorb several tips.
A Refined Veneer
But all this “art de vivre” business proves to be a polished mask – The nation succumbs just as easily to its most primal cravings similar to everywhere else. Simply step inside any grocery store to witness it. The potato chip section constitutes a temple of indulgence, lined with flavours including Roquefort, falafel, beer-braised beef and *beurre salé* flavours. What kind of person consumes a fried potato snack flavoured like dairy spread? It brings to mind something from the notorious American fairs where they fry solid butter in batter. An entertainer stated online they’re the best crisps she’s ever tasted, however she has undoubtedly been influenced by some kind of local propaganda – her formative years were in Brittany.
International Unregulation
I know the snack flavour business across the globe is as lawless and unregulated as big tech. Nobody seems willing to permit the tuber to taste of itself, adorned only rightly by a modest application of seasoning. We have a dubious legacy when it comes to snack tastes in the UK, especially at this time of year. Not long ago, after all, introduced Christmas-cake flavoured crisps and limited-edition Beef Wellington Walkers. Let us also recall the occasion when a major retailer thought “sparkling wine and seasonal fruit” was an appealing flavour in a salty crisp? I had higher hopes of the land of Escoffier.
What next? *Pâté*-flavoured snacks? Cream puff crisps? Cigarette-tasting crisps? I must cease, lest I provide inspiration.
