“Thai Inspired” is a beautifully cautious phrase. Not Thai. Not Thai-style. Inspired by Thailand, the way a painting might be inspired by a dream. Tesco’s lawyers have ensured no one can accuse these crisps of claiming authenticity they don’t possess.
The flavour is standard sweet chilli. Sugar, heat, a hint of something that might be lemongrass if you’re feeling generous. It’s the same sweet chilli profile that appears on every supermarket shelf, neither more nor less Thai than any competitor.
The heat is mild. The sweetness is pronounced. Children will eat these happily, which is probably the target market. Anyone seeking actual Thai flavour complexity will be disappointed, but they weren’t really the audience anyway.
Inspired by Thailand in the way that Disneyland is inspired by magic. A sanitised, family-friendly interpretation of something more interesting.
