If there’s one thing I look forward to when I head back to London for a visit it’s a packet of Walkers Crisps. Or rather several packets. As a Brit who’s lived in Toronto for 7 years, it hasn’t been too hard to find many of my favourite English foods here. We even used to frequent a downtown store stocking just English foods, including Walkers Crisps. Sadly though, the store closed about a year ago.

Walkers Crisps (by the way crisps = chips in North American) come in a variety of flavours. I’ve tried all of them and my top 3 are Smoky Bacon, Cheese and Onion, Worcester (pronounced Woost-er) Sauce and Tomato Ketchup. Ready Salted is also high on my list though… in fact, when I come to think about it, I pretty much like them all. And each flavour has a fascinating little story behind it.

So why do I love Walkers Crisps so much? It’s tough to describe why in a post. Is it because they are made from 100% British potatoes and have that quintessential British potato taste? Perhaps it’s because I can get them in such a variety of flavours and packets.

It could be because they have such bright attractive packaging that literally begs me to buy them (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). Then again it could be because they come in Walkers Lite, Walkers Baked and Walkers Max, all with that same great taste.

I put it down to this: Walkers Crisps are the ultimate in potato crisps. Whether having a pint with friends at my local pub, or catching up with the latest evening news in the London Evening Standard on the train from Victoria, or reading a good book – Walkers Crisps just go very nicely. No other crisp comes close in terms of taste, crunchiness and freshness.

I could wish that I could get them in Toronto. But since Toronto has its own culinary delights I really don’t have time to miss my Walkers Crisps – as long as I don’t think of them too much. I always bring a few packets back from England… they last a few days before I polish them off. But there’s always the next visit to look forward to.

Walkers Crisps come in 11 – yes – 11 fantastic flavours:

• Ready Salted
• Cheese and Onion
• Salt and Vinegar
• Steak and Onion
• Smoky Bacon
• Roast Chicken
• Prawn Cocktail
• Pickled Onion
• Tomato Ketchup
• BBQ Rib
• Worcester Sauce

Builder’s Breakfast will soon be joining the list of flavours. I am not quite sure how I feel about that particular flavour – yet.

The Walkers Crisps Website is pretty cool too… check it out to find out more about these wonderful British potato crisps.