The question is: Are Harry Kane`s knobbly sticks worth a taste?
SunSport`s Dan King, who perhaps knows more about savoury treats than football, put Kane`s recent venture into the snack market through a taste test.
These sorghum and corn snacks, endorsed by the England star, also contain the probiotic Bacillus Coagulans and are special editions of the “Insane Grain” brand.
While the England captain has overtaken Gary Lineker`s record for the Three Lions, he is unlikely to outshine the famous crisp-endorsing Match of the Day host in the snack aisle.
If you`re hoping for a flavour intensity equal to Kane`s goal-scoring prowess, prepare to be underwhelmed.
However, the Bayern Munich striker`s range of “healthy” snacks is quite palatable and, much like Kane himself, unlikely to cause any alarm, especially among children.
A PITCH OF SALT
The snack`s pale yellow appearance is neither appealing nor off-putting, and the same goes for its flavour. It lives up to its name: a subtle hint of salt, not overpowering (though the nutrition details reveal it`s the saltiest variant). It`s merely okay.
I`d likely want to pair it with a dip, but that would negate the purpose of choosing a snack that`s supposedly healthy – or at least, healthier than typical alternatives.
Rating: 4/10
SALT & VINEGOAAL
Another pun even Lineker might reject, yet this was my preferred flavour. You need to ignore how they look – a dreadful beige, lacking the satisfyingly `unhealthy` appeal of snacks like pork scratchings of a similar hue.
I know my salt and vinegar. While it doesn`t pack the powerful punch of the ultimate versions, like McCoys (ridged for your pleasure), it does offer a decent hint of malt vinegar.
Rating: 7/10
STRIKIN’ HOT
Let`s be honest: these baked knobbly sticks are essentially Nik Naks under a different name. This means they`re immediately competing with the superior Nik Nak flavour, Nice `N` Spicy. And much like Kane`s former club, Tottenham, these snacks are significantly inferior.
Again, the flavour is acceptable, but it`s too weak. If a snack is marketed as `hot`, I expect to truly experience some heat. There`s a slight spicy aftertaste, but nothing particularly thrilling.
Rating: 5/10
OVERALL VERDICT
For parents seeking a snack to occupy children without excessive salt and fat, these could be suitable (provided portion sizes are managed).
Many children prefer milder tastes anyway, and the football connection might encourage them to overlook the lack of intense flavour.
However, if you`re preparing snacks for a sunny Bank Holiday gathering, there are more flavourful and budget-friendly options available.
Despite Kane`s claim on the packaging that they are “insanely delicious”, that`s not the case. At £2 a bag? I won`t be *Bayern* them again.
