Walkers Salt and Vinegar Crisps, 45g

In Britain, salt and vinegar is first a way of eating chips, shaken over a portion from the chip shop, and the crisp borrows the same pairing of salt and sharp acid. This is the 45g single bag of Walkers Salt and Vinegar, sized for one person and a sandwich.

What the label lists

According to the published pack listing, the crisps are made from potatoes, sunflower and rapeseed oils in varying proportions, a salt and vinegar seasoning and antioxidants (rosemary extract, ascorbic acid, a tocopherol rich extract and citric acid). The pack says the potatoes are 100% Great British potatoes.

The seasoning lists acids (potassium acetates and citric acid), flavourings, potassium chloride, sugar, salt and yeast extract. There is no liquid vinegar on the list, because liquid and crisps do not mix. Potassium acetates are dry salts of acetic acid, the acid that gives vinegar its sour taste, so they bring the vinegar sharpness in powder form.

The same sharpness, less sodium

Compare this bag with the 45g bag of Walkers Cheese and Onion. Per 100g, cheese and onion shows 1.2g of salt; salt and vinegar shows 0.64g, about half. Yet it does not taste lightly salted. The reason is on the list: potassium chloride and the potassium acetates both add a salty, sharp taste without adding sodium, and the salt figure on a UK label is calculated from sodium. The acidity also makes the mouth water, which carries the flavour further.

The smaller ingredients

After the acids, the rest of the seasoning shapes how the sharpness lands. The flavourings round out the vinegar aroma so it smells like the bottle on a chip shop counter. A little sugar takes the harshest edge off the acid without making the crisp taste sweet; the label gives just 0.9g of sugars per 100g. Salt and potassium chloride supply the salty half of the name, and yeast extract at the end of the list adds a savoury base, so the crisp tastes seasoned rather than simply sour.

What a 45g bag adds up to

The label gives per 100g figures of 510 kcal (2127 kJ), 29g of fat, 2.3g of saturates, 53g of carbohydrate, 0.9g of sugars, 4.5g of fibre, 5.9g of protein and 0.64g of salt. Worked out for the 45g bag, that is about 230 kcal, 13.1g of fat, 1g of saturates, 0.4g of sugars and 0.29g of salt. Against the reference intake for an average adult, that is about 11% of the day's energy, 19% of the fat and 5% of the salt. On the UK front of pack scale, fat is high, saturates and salt are medium, and sugars are low. The 45g bag is close to twice the 25g multipack bag, which the label puts at 127 kcal, so it is worth knowing which size is in the lunchbox.

Allergens and diet

No allergens from the UK list of 14 are highlighted in the published ingredients. The allergy advice says the crisps may contain cereals containing gluten, milk, mustard and soya. The pack states they are suitable for vegetarians, and the listing says no added MSG and no artificial colours. No vegan or gluten free claim is made. Recipes and factory arrangements change, so check the allergy advice on the pack you receive.

How the crisps are made

The slices are cut from washed potatoes, rinsed to take off loose starch, and fried until nearly all their water has cooked away, leaving a thin, brittle sheet of set starch. The acid seasoning is dusted on while the crisps are warm, and the film of oil on each slice holds the powder.

Lunch with a sharp edge

A sharp crisp works best next to something soft and rich. A fish finger sandwich, an egg mayonnaise roll or a cheese and ham toastie all benefit from the contrast, in the same way chips benefit from vinegar. On a picnic, keep the bag in the shade and away from anything damp, and open it with the food rather than before it.

Other sizes and flavours

For the table, Walkers Salt and Vinegar comes in a 150g sharing bag, and for a week of lunches there is a six bag multipack of 25g bags. Salt and vinegar is also in every size of the Walkers Classic Variety box. In the same 45g size we stock Walkers Cheese and Onion, Ready Salted, Prawn Cocktail, Roast Chicken and Worcester Sauce. For a baked version of the flavour in a single bag there is Walkers Oven Baked Salt and Vinegar at 37.5g, and for a different shape, Walkers Squares Salt and Vinegar comes in a 40g bag.

Keeping it crisp

The pack advises storing it in a cool, dry place. Once opened, finish it the same day, or roll it down and clip it for later in the afternoon.

Sizes of Walkers Salt and Vinegar Crisps we stock

Figures as published on each pack's label.

The published listing gives the United Kingdom as the country of origin, and Walkers Snack Foods Ltd is the maker named on the pack. The tasting notes on this page are our own editorial assessment against the current pack format and the brand's published description.