These new high fibre baked Yushoi Sticks Snapea Rice Snacks were produced by Calbee in Wakefield. They are a good source of protein and vegetarian friendly, containing no MSG, no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. Now don't be put off straight away and hear me out... They are chiefly made of green peas (yes, green peas) and some rice! They made for an ideal healthy alternative snack for me to try. They come in four flavours;
Lightly Salted flavour
These green pea rice sticks really do smell of baked green peas. You probably have to love green peas to start with. Fortunately I like peas, although mushy peas make me feel sick. I don't know why. I just hate them with a passion! These rice sticks are light green in colour (yes, light green) and have a fluffy yet mildly crunchy texture. Don't be put off by these especially if you like your peas. If you don't like peas you may need to rethink before you buy. Fortunately I found these rice stick were a lightly salted flavoursome and healthy feeling treat. Okay "treat" might be pushing it... But they won't kill you, well unless you try eating them whilst jogging or something...
Information on the packet;
10g packet has 43 calories with 1.6g of fat, 0.2g of sugar and 0.09g of salt. The ingredients included; green peas (74%), rapeseed oil, rice (8%), salt, and calcium carbonate.
Soy & Balsamic Vinegar flavour
There was a good smell of soy on opening the packet with dashing of balsamic vinegar. These greenish rice sticks were slightly smaller sticks than the Lightly Salted, but they hadn't scrimped on the flavour. These Soy & Balsamic Vinegar Snapea Rice Sticks had an initial salty soy flavour that quickly mixed with the balsamic vinegar. I thought these were a really tasty treat (and I mean it this time) and was very impressed with the flavour combination, as I don't believe I've seen a Soy & Balsamic Vinegar flavoured snack before. Innovative and healthy!
Information on the packet;
10g packet has 45 calories with 2.0g of fat, 0.2g of sugar and 0.10g of salt. The ingredients included; green peas (68%), rapeseed oil, rice (8%), balsamic vinegar powder, salt, sugar, malt vinegar powder, soya sauce powder, spirit vinegar powder and calcium carbonate.
Smoked Salt & Szechuan Pepper flavour
There was a decent smoky smell on opening the packet with a good hit from the Szechuan Pepper in the background. Again these were slightly smaller greenish rice sticks with flecks of red pepper throughout the sticks. Another flavoursome snack here, having a mild chilli heat and a moreish quality that made me wish for a bigger bag. These were undoubtedly my favourite flavour so far. A mixed combination grab bag of this flavour and also the Soy & Balsamic Vinegar flavour would blow my tastebuds.
Information on the packet;
10g packet has 45 calories with 2.0g of fat, 0.2g of sugar and 0.09g of salt. The ingredients included; green peas (68%), rapeseed oil, rice (8%), yeast extract, maltodextrin, tomato powder, spices, salt, sugar, onion powder, smoked salt, garlic powder, Szechuan pepper, spirit vinegar powder and calcium carbonate.
Sweet Chilli & Lemon flavour
There was a sweet chilli smell on opening the packet with a decent wedge of lemon. These rice sticks broke with the norm and were a reddish tint rather than greenish, although there was some green there too! The red made me worry a little for the chilli heat content. No need to panic though as these rice sticks had a medium chilli burn, certainly hotter than the Smoked Salt & Szechuan Pepper flavour, with a keen sweetness and dash of lemon that mingled expertly with the chilli heat making nose tingle a little and leaving a pleasing hotness in my mouth. Very flavoursome with a good chilli heat to them.
Information on the packet;
10g packet has 46 calories with 2.0g of fat, 0.3g of sugar and 0.07g of salt. The ingredients included; green peas (68%), rapeseed oil, rice (8%), yeast extract, maltodextrin, tomato powder, spices, salt, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika extract, chilli, citric acid, salt, sugar, spirit vinegar powder and calcium carbonate.
I was very impressed by these Snapea Rice Sticks, so I'd recommend you give them a try. It's not all about crisps and nuts you know! ;-)