Potato chips, sometimes known as potato crisps, come in a wide assortment of flavors, from plain to chocolate-covered. Many stores stock different flavors to cater to the desires of their patrons, including regional favorites that might be hard to find in other regions of the world. For the truly motivated, they can also be flavored at home, either by making one's own from scratch with the flavoring of choice, or by shaking a bag of storebought chips with the desired flavoring.
Many flavors of potato chips feature some sort of dairy product. Sour cream and onion, for example, is a popular flavor pairing. Others may be prepared with cheddar cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, goat cheese, or a variety of other cheeses. Yogurt sometimes crops up in flavorings as well, with some companies making yogurt-coated chips.
Other flavors may focus on spices like black pepper, brewer's yeast, mustard, cayenne, mint, herbs, lemongrass, garlic, onions, paprika, and regional spice blends such as Thai or Indian spices. Manufacturers may also offer chips flavored with traditional dressings, like salt and vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, Marmite, or simple ketchup.
Fruits may also crop up in potato chip flavorings, as in the case of those flavored with fruit chutney, lime juice, or sundried tomatoes. Meats such as bacon, jerky, lamb, and chicken are sometimes used in seasonings, along with vegetables like roasted red peppers, spinach, pickles, and capers. On the sweet end of things, chocolate, honey, and caramel are all used in chip flavorings, along with plain sugar.
Many nations have their own distinct flavors with regional favorite foods, reflecting the tastes of their citizens, along with a lineup of more generic flavors. In Germany, for instance, beer flavored potato chips are quite popular, while Koreans enjoy kimchee-flavored ones. Those with interesting flavors are sometimes popular with visitors, who may bring them back home to show disbelieving friends.
In addition to varying the flavor, potato chip manufacturers can also vary the texture. Some chips are crinkle cut, for example, creating a series of ridges, while others are so thinly sliced that they are like parchment paper. Thick chips can also be found, along with baked ones to contrast with those prepared in oil. The oils used in frying or baking can also influence the flavor; olive oil and vegetable oil, for example, have markedly different impacts on flavor.