FOOTBALL SEASON IS IN full swing and with it comes the need for a tortilla chip that satisfies even if the game we're watching doesn't. Blue-corn chips allow us to feel a little virtuous, because a study by researchers in Mexico and Venezuela published last year found that tortillas made with blue corn are higher in protein, lower in starch and have a lower glycemic index than those made with white or yellow corn.
And in the right light, blue-corn chips can even look Ravens purple.
Current and former members of The Sun's Taste staff conducted a blind sampling of four kinds of blue-corn chips, both unadorned and with a mild salsa. The winner, Tostitos Natural Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, edged out the others for its blend of saltiness (a few found it too salty) and corn taste; Wegmans' store-brand chips were a close second and praised for their compatibility with salsa.
kate.shatzkin@baltsun.com
THE WINNER
TOSTITOS
NATURAL BLUE CORN TORTILLA CHIPS
Price: $3.49 for 9.5 ounces
This large chip, made with certified organic corn, got high marks for its salty, savory taste. A few tasters found it a little too salty and a little too large (and breakable), but it was the most consistent favorite of the group.
BEST WITH SALSA
WEGMANS
ALL-NATURAL BLUE CORN TORTILLA CHIPS
Price: $2.49 for 16 ounces
This sturdy chip, which is made with organic corn, stood up nicely to fresh salsa. It was a close second overall, with an attractive price.
ALSO TASTED
TRADER JOE'S
ORGANIC BLUE CORN TORTILLA CHIPS
Price: $2.69 for 16 ounces
This chip divided the group; some liked that its corn taste came through more strongly than its seasoning, but others found it bland.
ALSO TASTED
SNYDER'S OF HANOVER
SAVORY BLUE MULTIGRAIN TORTILLA STRIPS
Price: $3.49 for 9 ounces
This "strip" suffered for having sesame seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds and quinoa mixed in with the corn. Tasters found it too grainy and disliked its slightly sweet aftertaste, and the rectangular shape wasn't very dip-friendly.