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Category: Crunchy Oil

Published on Leave a comment on Roland Foods Spicy Chili Onion Crisp

This Roland Foods Spicy Chili Onion Crisp came from a local supermarket. It was the only such product they stocked, I'm sure only because Roland is pretty much a supermarket brand. That and the store in question is more of an old-school family-run operation which caters to an older clientele. You see hardly any trendy stuff in the international sections there.

Roland Foods Spicy Chili Onion Crisp jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Onion
  • Chili
  • Garlic
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Sunflower, sesame
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Sesame
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Crispy crunch
  • Saltiness: Low (125mg. per 18gm.)

We were pleasantly surprised by this one. It's onion-forward, but the chili pepper and garlic play well into the mix. The aromatics aren't as obvious, unless you're really looking for them, but they round out the overall flavor profile nicely. The salt level is low, and, for those who appreciate it, there's no MSG.

We thought the texture was really good. The mixture is thick with medium-weight solids that provide a satisfying crunch.

We categorize it as a crunchy oil, but in reality, it has a lot in common with a Japanese taberu rayu. If it were more garlic-forward and a little saltier, a blind taste test might mistake it for one.

Compare to Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion, similar in style and price.

Ingredients

Sunflower oil, dehydrated onion, garlic and red bell pepper, chili pepper, sesame oil, salt, spices (star anise, sichuan pepper, cinnamon, cloves, fennel)

More Information

Brand: Roland Foods, LLC
Style: Crunchy oil
Price paid: $5.99 / 7oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion

This Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion was purchased at the same time as their salsa macha. We didn't think that jar was truly representative of the condiment, as it was mostly nuts and seeds in oil, with little chili heat. This jar however, comes closer to a real chili crisp, and, curiously, doesn't choose to call itself that. Let's see what it tastes like.

Main Flavor Elements
  • Onion
  • Garlic
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Olive
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: N/S
  • Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low
  • Texture: Crunchy
  • Saltiness: Low (150mg. per 18gm.)

As expected, the primary flavor profile favors the garlic and onion. The level of crunch is satisfactory, at least for a product without nuts. The heat sits nicely in the background, keeping things warm and spicy. Even though listed as somewhat low, we found the saltiness acceptable.

We couldn't help thinking that if only this jar had more chili pepper flakes, it should be the one TJ's calls salsa macha.

Of the two Trader Joe's offerings, we preferred this one for the added heat. And at $4.49 a jar, it doesn't break the bank.

Ingredients

Olive oil, dried onions, dried garlic, dried red bell peppers, crushed chili peppers, toasted dried onions, sea salt, natural flavors, paprika oleoresin (color).

More Information

Brand: Trader Joe's
Style: Crunchy oil
Price Paid: $4.49 / 6oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Micro Pharms Fried Chili Oil

This Micro Pharms Fried Chili Oil, like their Crunchy Garlic Oil, came from Whole Foods. We found that other one kind of mild, and hoped this one would be spicier.

Micro Pharms Fried Chili Oil jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Peanut
  • Chili
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Olive, sesame
  • Solids to oil ratio: HIgh
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Peanuts, sesame
  • Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Medium to low
  • Texture: Nutty crunch
  • Saltiness: Low (60mg. per 14gm.)

This version replaces the almond in the Crunchy Garlic Oil with peanuts, which makes it somewhat crunchier by comparison. Again, the oil is clouded by something else in the mix.

No onion this time, the spice instead provided by red pepper chili flakes. Even though the first solid ingredient on the list, upon inspection it doesn't appear to be, and the heat from them is negligible. We would like to have seen more pepper flakes, a little less peanut and maybe a tad more salt.

We were going to categorize this one as a New Wave style, but decided on Crunchy Oil instead.

Ingredients

Olive oil, red pepper chili flakes, peanuts, sesame oil, sea salt, spices

More Information

Brand: Micro Pharms
Style: Chili Oil
Price Paid: $8.79 / 6oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website: micrpharms.com
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Published on Leave a comment on Trader Joe’s Crunchy Salsa Macha

We bought this Trader Joe's Crunchy Salsa Macha on a whim months ago. It was under $5 for the 8 oz. jar, a bargain if it was good. So was it?

Trader Joe's Crunchy Salsa Macha jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Mostly the nuts, seeds
  • Salt
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Olive oil
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Sesame
  • Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low
  • Texture: Crunchy, by way of seeds and nuts
  • Saltiness: Low (90mg. per 15g.)

Another of the few olive oil-based ones we've seen, which we liked. There's a load of sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and pepitas. But we were quite surprised to see how little chili pepper there was in this supposed "salsa macha". The flavor here is mainly seed nuts and salt. There is little to nothing in the way of heat or spice. Pequin chile pepper, far down the list of ingredients, is barely detectable unless tasting the condiment exclusively on its own.

TJ's has another product called Crunchy Chili Onion that comes far closer to being a salsa macha. Having said that, there must be a place for this product in the world of infused oil condiments, but we aren't really sure where that is. Still, we kinda like it anyway.

We can't in good conscience categorize this as a salsa macha, so we're calling it a Crunchy Oil instead.

Ingredients

Olive oil, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, garlic powder, dried pequin chile pepper, salt.

More Information

Brand: Trader Joe's
Style: Crunchy oil
Price Paid: $4.49 / 8oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Micro Pharms Crunchy Garlic Oil

This Micro Pharms Crunchy Garlic Oil came from Whole Foods, who sells it alongside a Fried Chili Oil version. We thought it a little pricy, but wanted to try both.

Micro Pharms Crunchy Garlic Oil jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Sesame
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Olive, sesame
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Sesame, nuts
  • Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low
  • Texture: Nutty crunch
  • Saltiness: Low (60mg. per 14gm.)

One of few we've seen with an olive oil base. We noted the oil on both this one and the Fried Chili Oil version was kind of cloudy, which we chalked up to an interaction with something else, likely the sesame oil or the garlic extract. The solids have a nutty crunch, obviously from the almonds, with a secondary texture via the onion. While the crunch was there, we found ourselves wishing for a little more heat or salt. Perhaps the other version referenced fills that want.

Ingredients

Olive oil, fried garlic, chili flakes, fried onion, almonds, sesame oil, sea salt, garlic extract, spices

More Information

Brand: Micro Pharms
Style: Crunchy oil
Price Paid: $8.79 / 6oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website: micropharms.com
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