Takis – Hot Nuts Fuego
Takis, originally launched in Mexico in 1999 and then two years later in the United States, has managed to bridge the gap between the snack shelves of Mexican grocery stores to widespread mainstream popularity through grassroots social media virality (as well as being pretty dang tasty). While their rolled chips are their first and most iconic product the brand (made by the humorously named Grupo Bimbo) has expanded into other types of snack foods, including these peanuts.
Called Cacahuates Japonéses in Mexico, or Japanese style peanuts, these peanuts coated in a crunchy flour shell gained popularity in Mexico following WWII when a Japanese immigrant introduced them to the country. While both sweet and savory versions of this style of snack exist, this variety features Takis most popular flavor, Fuego, which is a blend of chili and lime.
Despite the fiery name of the product the heat level of these is pretty low. Anyone with any level of spice tolerance won’t find a challenge with the heat level of these. The flavor is quite nice however. The blend of savory chili powder and zesty sour lime powder is a classic for a reason and creates an addictive flavor combination. The crunchy shells do a great job of holding on to the seasoning powder and you can still taste the peanuts underneath. The shells do tend to get a bit gummy if you eat too many at once, which with the salty, spicy, and sour combination can be easy to do. The downside of any Takis product (just like Cheetos) is that they do tend to stain your fingers bright colors. Make sure you have some wet wipes handy if you’re involved in anything that requires clean fingers while snacking.
Obviously with the fruit wheat flour coating and the neon-red seasoning powder these aren’t a healthy snack like regular peanuts are, but for a fun treat once in a while they are quite tasty. I can recommend giving these a try, especially if you haven’t had Mexican Japanese style peanuts before.
Ingredients: Peanuts, Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil (Canola and Palm Oil), Modified Corn Starch, Starch (Yellow Pea, Tapioca, and Corn), Seasoning (Salt, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Sugar, Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soybean Protein, Monosodium Glutamate, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Red #40, Yellow #6, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soybean Oil, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, TBHQ (preservative)), Sugar, Peanut Skin, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Sodium Bicarbonate, Ammonium Bicarbonate, Salt
Heat Level: 1/10. These are quite mild, about the same heat level as a basic Louisiana style hot sauce if not less
