Popularity Contests

Cappuccino Chips Are, Thankfully, No Longer Happening

Resting in pieces.
Resting in pieces. Photo: Lays

The votes have been tallied, and Wasabi Ginger is Frito-Lay’s “Do Us a Flavor” winner, not the one that “tasted” like cappuccino. America may never know how close it got to cappuccino-flavored chips in every bodega, but it was time to put it out of its misery. That variety was all but universally reviled online, spawned a series of “We tried so you don’t have to” consumer reviews, and ultimately got dissed by coffee writer Oliver Strand as “a punch line.”

Frito-Lay says a million people voted and Wasabi Ginger beat Cappuccino, Mango Salsa, and Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese. It won’t break down the tally to reveal Cappuccino’s share, instead just saying, “The fact that it made it out of our selection process to make it to the final four is no small feat.” Ginger Wasabi’s creator, a New Jersey nurse, gets $1 million or 1 percent of the flavor’s sales this year, whichever’s higher. The genius responsible for Cappuccino, Chad Scott, who, surprise twist, mail-orders beans from Blue Bottle and Madcap, is the real winner, though. He admits it was “polarizing” and “a little more cinnamon-y than I thought it would be,” and still gets paid $50,000.

Related: America Allegedly Voted to Put Cappuccino-Flavored Lay’s Chips Into Production

[AP]

Cappuccino Chips Are, Thankfully, No Longer Happening