Ready salted is the truth test. No bold flavouring to distract from texture. No strong seasoning to mask potato quality. Just salt and crisp and judgment.
McCoy’s passes.
The texture is the star here. Those thick ridges, that substantial crunch, the feeling of eating something with genuine presence. Standard ready salted crisps are forgettable because there’s nothing to remember. McCoy’s Salted is memorable because the format itself provides interest.
The potato flavour is decent. Not remarkable, not the earthy depth of premium hand-cooked crisps, but present. There’s vegetable there, something beyond starch and oil.
The salt is well-applied, distributed across the ridges, appropriate rather than excessive. It enhances without overwhelming.
Who wants plain crisps?
Salted crisps exist for two purposes: accompanying dips and filling multipack variety. As a dip vehicle, McCoy’s Salted excels. The sturdy ridges handle heavy scooping. The substantial texture provides satisfying contrast to creamy dips.
As a solo snack, they’re less compelling. The format provides interest that other plain crisps lack, but plain is still plain. You’d need to really appreciate texture to choose these over flavoured options.
Buy for dipping. Accept in multipacks. Don’t seek out otherwise.
