PepsiCo Frito-Lay takes fans on a ‘tongue trip’ around the US and to the skies

This time, Lay’s has taken inspiration from different regions across America known for their signature cuisine to develop the Flavor That Hits Home lineup, which it claims only takes ‘one crunchy bite to instantly be reminded of home’.

“As a leader in product innovation, Lay’s continues to bring fans delicious flavor experiences on a potato chip,” said Tina Mahal, senior VP of Marketing, PepsiCo Foods North America.

“With the Flavor That Hits Home lineup, we’re helping fans taste the cherished dishes they know and love from their hometowns in an entirely new way, with the hope that every bite inspires fond memories of enjoying meals back home with family and friends.”

Available for a limited time only, the four-strong range includes:

Heading to the West Coast, Lay’s Crispy Taco punts hints of ground beef, sour cream, cheese, lettuce and tomato.

From the Northeast and Atlantic regions, Lay’s BLT Sandwich combines smoky bacon, tomato and lettuce notes in a crisp spin on one of America’s much loved sandwiches.

Lay’s Fried Pickles with Ranch takes a page out of cookbooks from the South and Midwest with notes of dill, fried batter and ranch dressing.

As for the fourth flavor, Lay’s Kettle Cooked Lime & Cracked Pepper is a nod to a combo that is enjoyed up and down the country and from coast to coast.

Beginning in April, Lay’s will also host three pop-up sampling events in Chicago, Tampa and Los Angeles, where fans can embark on a flavor journey as they step into an immersive Lay’s exhibit.

Lay’s Kettle Cooked Lime & Cracked Pepper is rolling out in supermarkets and retailers across the US, while the other three varieties will only be available regionally in the areas that inspired their flavor. However, fans won’t lose out. Lay’s is making all four available on Snacks.com, while supplies last.

The four are available in 7.75oz-8oz sizes for an RRP of $4.99. Lay’s Kettle Cooked Lime and Cracked Pepper is also available in a 25oz pack for $2.69.

Eclipse-inspired bag of potato chipsSunChips is debuting an ‘out of this world’ bag of chips in honor of the upcoming total solar eclipse in the US, in partnership with astronaut Kellie Gerardi.

The special edition cosmic snack offers two flavors in one bag to ‘echo the sun and moon in synchronicity’.

SunChips Solar Eclipse Limited-Edition Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda chips were created to mirror bright sunny skies and a cheesy moon.

Although it hasn’t been documented that the moon is made of cheese, the saying was commonly used as early as 1638 as an example of credulity with roots in fable.

The earliest record comes from a medieval Slavic fable in which a ravenous wolf chases a seemingly hapless fox, hoping to score an easy meal. However, the fox manages to convince his pursuer that the moon’s reflection on a nearby pond is actually a block of cheese, but to get to the treat, he must drink all of its water. The wolf eventually drinks too much and bursts, leaving the fox alive and victorious.

“As a researcher and astronaut with a love for all things space, I can’t wait to celebrate this exciting event with SunChips,” said Gerardi.

“Total solar eclipses are rare and special events, and I hope people can take a moment out of their busy daily life to pause and enjoy the incredible sight.”

The eclipse starts at 2.33pm CT in the southwestern US on April 8. During the 4.27 minute event, quick-off-the-mark fans can grab a bag for free on the SunChips website. The snack producer is also making the potato chips available for order while supplies last.

“SunChips harnesses the power of the sun for its unique flavor and goodness, so there’s no better moment to spotlight this snack than during the extraordinary solar eclipse,” said Rhasheda Boyd, VP of Marketing for Frito-Lay.

“With this exclusive flavor drop, fans who get their bag during the moment of totality will have the opportunity to continue celebrating the eclipse even after the rare event is over.”