Junk Food Nation, let’s talk about bitcoins.  Or rather, let’s talk about how I have no idea what the real deal is when it comes to bitcoins. Here’s what I know: Bitcoins are online currency. They were originally generated through data mining and, like most currencies, an online economy became to form around bitcoin transactions.  This didn’t come without risk; loopholes in the online economic system were exploited, and transactions needed better security.  In essence, people’s online wallets were getting hacked.

Still, this didn’t stop online marketplaces from popping up either, like the Silk Road, a place where drugs, books, collectibles, and other goods could be purchased. Bitcoins have gained in popularity, despite larger scale robberies occurring: $1.3 million disappeared from Australia here, $4 million from China here, $1 million from Denmark here, and then, mostly recently (last week), $480 million from Tokyo. $480 MILLION DOLLARS.  In some random online currency.  I don’t get it – since not-that-many-people own/use bitcoins, isn’t SOMEONE going to get suspicious when you show up suddenly flush with HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in bitcoins?   Then again, I have NO CLUE how diamond thieves get away with their crimes either, so whatevs.

Add on top of these thefts some random stories from the past few days: First, that the Winklevoss Twins have purchased a trip into space on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space shuttle using bitcoins. Second, that a CEO of a bitcoin exchange committed suicide.  WTF.

Anyways, back to the point: That’s ALL I KNOW about bitcoins.  Let’s crowdsource some knowledge here, JFN – are bitcoins good, bad, a fad, or a trend?  Are they here to stay, will they collapse in epic fashion, will they become our future?  Do YOU use bitcoins, or do you know someone who does?  Tell me in the comments below.

Today’s junk food: Sriracha Pringles!

Sriracha Pringles: The Money Shot

I commented last week that I was sick of lame Pringles flavors, and that I was DONE with them until Pringles came out with something that was really eye-catching.  And then, they did it: New Sriracha Pringles, available only at Walmart.   …..well played, Pringles.

Sriracha Pringles: Sort of offensive.

Not sure why the Sriracha Pringles can needs a Chinese dragon on it, but that’s besides the point.  The well-recognized red bottle adorns the art on this can, and that’s all that matters.  I’ve had some Sriracha snacks in the past, with some performing better than others. How would these Pringles hold up?

Sriracha Pringles: 150 per serving

Sriracha Pringles: I like the emphasis on Garlic Powder

There are some definite interesting ingredients in these Sriracha Pringles: Garlic powder, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, paprika.  Sriracha’s ingredients: Chili, sugar, salt, garlic powder, distilled vinegar…so, sort of the same.

Sriracha Pringles: Fringed in red

Opening this can of Sriracha Pringles, I didn’t notice any immediate Sriracha smell.  I feel like every time I open a can of Pringles, I expect some wonderful aroma to come out, and always end up disappointed.  I guess I should be glad Pringles isn’t spraying their chips with chemicals simply to emit an expected aroma.  Moving on.

I popped several of these Sriracha Pringles into my mouth and WOW.  Definite bold flavor.  But the question is, of course, how close to Sriracha did the flavor come?

Sriracha Pringles: There’s the spicy

I feel like these Sriracha Pringles came pretty close, to be honest.  On my first taste, I got a LOT of tanginess, more than Sriracha typically has, and a little bit of burn.  I immediately thought, “Well, these are tasty, but didn’t taste like Sriracha.” Hours later, I tried them again…this time, as I chewed and smacked my lips, the garlic taste came through much more…the chips had a bit of that signature strong garlic taste.  “Hmmm…perhaps I was wrong,” I thought, slamming my chips into my mouth.

Ultimately, my review is this: these taste very close to the flavor of Sriracha.  There is a really strong pepper/chili taste at the very beginning that is a bit tangier than standard Sriracha.  That flavor had a tendency to mask the garlicky flavor that I was looking for in this chip, but the garlic taste emerged eventually with enough chews.  The burn was nice, but real Sriracha is much spicier.  So, these chips were tangier, not as garlicky, and not as spicy as standard Sriracha.

Still, despite these small nitpicks on my part, I DO think that the flavor profile for these chips is right in line with Sriracha – I didn’t confuse these with Tabasco or Buffalo or Tapatio, etc.  When I tasted these chips, my brain definitely registered Sriracha.  I liked these A LOT.  Get them. Eat them.

PURCHASED AT: Walmart.

COST: $1.50.

Thoughts? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. I also have Google+!! Let’s hang out.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy