The Snack Attack: Like It Spicy? You MUST Try These New Wild Habanero Cheetos [TASTE TEST]
If you like spicy snacks, you need to make a beeline for the store and pick up the latest flavor of Cheetos: Wild Habanero.
You might want to head to Walmart, as it seems like this is the only retailer selling these Cheetos. But trust me -- it will be totally worth the trip. This is a spicy snack that is actually spicy!
Of course, I couldn't write this review without comparing these to the next closest thing -- Flamin' Hot Cheetos -- to see how they stack up.
But let me warn you, if you don't like the heat -- stay out of the kitchen!
Review: Wild Habanero Crunchy Cheetos
Appearance: Unlike the Flamin' Hot Cheetos which are unnaturally red, the Wild Habanero Cheetos look like regular Cheetos with some spices. They have an orange base and are covered generously with a dark red seasoning.
Taste: If you're expecting any cheese flavor whatsoever, you'll be hard-pressed to find any. Let me talk you through the experience. After eating the first few Cheetos, you're going to think "Hey, this isn't so bad." You start tasting the spices, maybe some vinegar notes, and that's when the heat hits you like a smack across the face. As you continue Cheeto-ing, the intensity increases with each bite and by now, your nasal passages will start to clear. Your forehead might even start to feel clammy. At this point, some people tap out and say the heat is too much to continue. Good effort, folks. But I don't categorize myself as "some people." I love spicy foods, and at no point did I think the heat in these Cheetos was too overwhelming. Actually, it might be the PERFECT level of spice and heat. And it's not the "OMG my mouth is burning off!" heat either. It's a very enjoyable -- almost refreshing kind of heat. It also doesn't go away instantly. This is a heat that lingers. You don't get much of the actual habanero flavor, just the heat.
Which brings me to my next point: Remember Flamin' Hot Cheetos? Yeah, you probably won't want to eat those ever again after having these Wild Habanero sticks of spicy goodness in your mouth.
After waiting for about an hour so my palate would be fresh, I tried the Flamin' Hot Cheetos to compare and -- drum roll -- they were blander than bland! I almost couldn't believe the lack of flavor and heat. Maybe the Flamin' Hot is going for more of a spicy cheese flavor, but honestly compared to the heat that comes from the Wild Habanero, these things are terribly tame.
Pros: Feelin' hot, hot, hot! Finally a spicy snack that packs some heat.
Cons: Depending on how much heat you can take, a handful might be your limit.
Rating: 10 out of 10 -- These Wild Habanero Cheetos just made Flamin' Hot Cheetos irrelevant.
The Snack Attack is a daily feature on CBSDetroit.com that centers around all things food. Know of a new snack we should attack? Send an email and we'll be sure to add it to the list.