Takis were invented in 1999 by Grupo Bimbo, a Mexico-based baking company that specializes in tasty treats that the whole family can enjoy.
After their initial release in the United States in 2001, Americans flocked to face the intensity of these tangy, spicy rolled corn chips designed to resemble taquitos or crunchy fajitas. Since then, the Takis brand has only expanded to include more varieties that compete with the original flavor, but which one is really the best?
We’ve gathered the top five honest reviews from our PrismPop creators and will give you the run-down on flavor, pricing, availability, nutrition, and more to let you know which flavor combinations are worth it and which are not.
Our PrismPop creators have spoken, and Takis Fuego is the clear winner of this battle. This original flavor proves that you don’t have to fix something that’s not broken!
The overall least favorite flavor was the Crunchy Fajitas. These were too mild and bland to compete with the rest of the Taki varieties.
You can find Takis at any grocery store, drugstore, or gas station. Most bags are around $2-3, making them very affordable for a midnight snack. They’re addictive, so be sure to pace yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions about "Takis"
What do Takis taste like?
The original flavor packs a strong hit of chili pepper and lime flavoring that is great for someone who loves savory snacks and addictive spiciness that makes you want to eat more and more until your nose drips. The texture is crunchy, and the spiciness is similar to Hot Cheetos… but spicier. The corn flour is processed with lime juice for a slight tanginess, checking the box of both spicy and sour. Most people say that Takis are a combination of sour, spicy, and salty.
How many flavors of Takis chips are there?
There are a whopping 26 different flavors of Takis out there. However, most of these flavors are unique to Mexico and surrounding Latin countries and are impossible to find in the United States, and others have been permanently discontinued. There are even Zombie Takis!
Takis also cashed in on other snacks, such as potato chips, peanuts, and corn sticks.
What is the hottest Taki flavor?
Takis Blue Heat and Fuego are tied at first place for the hottest in the product line. “Fuego” means “fire” in Spanish, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the spiciest flavors! Fuego has both chili pepper and lime, while Blue Heat is just chili pepper and a ‘mystery blue spice.’
What is the coolest (least spicy) Taki flavor?
Guacamole is the least spicy flavor of Taki. The taste of authentic Mexican guacamole is apparent, and some people notice hints of smokiness and zestiness from the added lime. Even though it is the mildest of all the flavors, it’s still slightly spicy and can be compared to mild salsa. These green Takis are artificially flavored, so we’re not sure where the avocado flavor comes from.
The original and most popular flavor (Fuego) has the following ingredient list: Corn Flour (Processed with Lime), Vegetable Oil (Palm and/or Soybean and/or Canola and/or Rice Bran Oil), Seasoning [Salt, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Onion Powder, Yeast Extract, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soybean Oil, Chili Pepper (Chile), Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, TBHQ (Antioxidant)]
BHA, BHT, and TBHQ are currently being evaluated by the FDA as being “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Other than that, these highly-processed chips may lead to gastritis. Some people have even reported stomach ulcers after eating a regular diet of Takis.
No, Takis are about as far away from healthy as you can get. Though it’s okay to have a few chips here and there, Takis are highly-processed and contain potential carcinogens and other ingredients that are terrible for your health. They contain artificial flavors, such as red 40 lake and yellow 6 lake, both of which are derived from petroleum and are known to be contaminated with cancer-causing components. There is also evidence that suggests behavioral issues and allergies in children from these dyes.