Doritos Is Launching a Tangy New Chip Flavor

Doritos has really done it! Although Asian and South American companies have been making tamarind-flavored snacks for ages, Doritos is the first large U.S. snack company to jump on the tamarind trend. Joining their lineup of tangy chips (which currently includes Tangy Pickle and Tangy Ranch), Doritos Tangy Tamarind is coming to the U.S. of A., bay-bee! When? Today (at select stores, but nationwide August 15)! Where? Here, silly. Who? Doritos. (Were you even listening?!) How? In a factory, I think! Why? Now this one I’ll actually expand upon.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with tamarind, it is a tropical fruit tree that sprouts “bean-like pods which contain seeds and a fibrous pulp.” This pulp, which has a sweet and tangy taste, is used in many cuisines around the world. From Indian tamarind chutney to Malaysian/Indonesian sambal goreng to pad thai, tamarind has been used for centuries to add a bright, sweet tang to traditional dishes. There are also tons of different brands of tamarind candies made everywhere from Mexico to India. It’s like nature’s Sour Patch…er…sort of. 

Y’all, I am so excited to try this flavor in chips. I am admittedly not all that well-versed in the tamarind world, but imagine a Dorito that is sour, sweet, and aggressively umami. Or Tostitos’ Hint of Lime chips without the lime flavoring. Or Takis without the spice and with a touch of added sweetness. Heck, imagine a pad thai-flavored Dorito! Or will it taste barbecue-y? Barbecue certainly has tang, salt, and sweetness. I honestly cannot imagine exactly how these chips will taste, and that just makes me want to try them even more. 

Starting now, I am officially on the lookout for tamarind Doritos. I know they don’t roll out nationwide until August 15, but, hey, maybe I got lucky and happen to live near a “select store”? Guess I’ll find out soon.