My cousin Michael and I consider ourselves to be something of baked cheese snack aficionados. We both agree that there is a superiority of flavor of Cheez-Its compared to Cheese Nips, and we both find validity in the statement that Whales kick the shit out of Goldfish. “Slightly sweeter and crisper,” as Michael opines, and I agree (Plus, a whale could totally take a goldfish in an open-water battle.) Yet while we share many similar beliefs when it comes to baked cheese snacks, we differ on the hierarchy of Cheez-It flavors.
We were wandering around Target the other day when Michael spotted a box of Original Cheez-Its and lamented the fact that his mother never purchases the original, ubiquitous orange flavor. “White Cheddar is good and all,” he said, “But nothing beats these.”
I disagree. Personally, I tend to think highly of the Duoz Sharp Cheddar and Parmesan flavor, which combines sharp but sweet, salty, a bit funky, and the always necessary lickable coating that makes serving sizes the joke they are. But after trying the new Provolone flavor, I may just have to reconsider what my favorite Cheese-It flavor is.
With Mozzarella and Italian Four Cheese flavors of Cheez-Its already in existence, I can understand those who may affirm a certain pessimism towards another Italian inspired Cheese-It. I assure you that such pessimism is misplaced, because the Provolone Cheese-Its are sufficiently unique to warrant the attention of any baked cheese snack connoisseur.
The first element of the flavor to capture ones attention is a pronounced and enjoyable smoke flavor. The cracker itself is far from mild, with a moderate sharpness and salty flavor which also benefits from a distinctly sweet flavor on the backend. I consider it to be everything I want in a Cheese-It, and the kind of small cracker which has enough flavor to be enjoyed either singularly, or in massive handfuls stuffed into one’s face. For those of you into flavor science and understanding what makes stuff just yummy, I submit to you the snack enhancing three-word ingredient which adds that meaty-salty-goodness to these: MSG.
No word yet on its melting capabilities, but this will be one I’ll be coming back for.
Cheese-It Provolone
- Price: $2.50 (Giant)
- Rating9.0/10
- Chances I’d Buy Again: 100%
