This is yet another Intermission in our Days of Wine and Music series.
Snacks have gotten a bad rap, deservedly so, of course. But not all snacks are detrimental. When a boy, this writer used to consume raw carrots as a snack. Deliterious? No way.
Bunny food may not be everyone’s idea of a tasty snack, but there are alternatives out there, some known and others yet to be discovered. And the search for more varieties of healthful snacks may bring substantial rewards to those who seek them out. Although country-specific, a sales projection in a recent issue of Progressive Grocer should bring the point home: “…[sales of] snacks will hit $93 billion by 2026.”1 Yeah, there’s a whole lot a munchin’ goin’ on.
The chips under review are marketed under the name “GOBOCHI” and are produced by Daily Marm Co., Ltd.
Sensory evaluation: We tasted two of the varieties pictured above, plain and black pepper, and found that both clearly tasted of burdock—that’s a positive—had a slightly oily mouthfeel—also a positive—and were very satisfying as snacks, a positive, obviously. Our preference was for the plain. As the company’s promotional literature suggests, there are other ways that the burdock chips can be consumed, and we fully agree. They should prove to be good crouton substitutes in salads and as toppings in certain soups.
It should be noted that Daily Marm Co., Ltd. makes a very palatable burdock tea, as well, which is pictured above.
1Petrak, L. “What’s New in Noshing,” Progressive Grocer (5/26/22).
Company website: https://dailymarm.com/
Drinking Japan 