【Original vs Generic】 The manufacturer is the same Calbee! A thorough comparison of the differences with the Seven PB

If you love potato chips, you have probably eaten Calbee's "Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor" at least once. There is a similar snack that could be called a generic version, the 7 Premium! I compared the differences in taste, price, ingredients, and texture in detail.

7 Premium, isn't the quality too high?

I bought two types of potato chips from the snack corner at Seven-Eleven. Both are products manufactured by Calbee. So, is there a difference in taste and texture?

Two selected snacks from Calbee

Calbee's "Potato Chips" has been a long-selling item since its release in 1975. I was a child who didn't eat many snacks, but I loved Calbee's potato chips! That crisp and unique texture comes from adjusting the oil temperature and time while checking the quality and condition of the potatoes, it seems.

Product name: Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor
Price: Open price (purchase price 187 yen)
Contents: 80g
Calories: 449kcal

● Calbee

This is "7 Premium Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor," also purchased at Seven-Eleven. Although it is also potato chips handled by Calbee, the package design is completely different. The exciting note that it is "finished with umami-rich salt." According to the official website, it uses Narutomaki sea salt.

There is a slight difference, but compared to the original "Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor," this one is more economical.

Product name: 7 Premium Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor
Price: 149 yen
Contents: 70g
Calories: 383kcal

● Seven-Eleven Japan

What are the ingredients and calories?

Next, let's check the ingredients. The order is the same from potatoes (domestic or American) to salt. The differences appear from here! It seems the original potato chips contain dextrin made by breaking down starch. Other than that, there doesn't seem to be any difference, so this is likely where the taste difference lies.

The calories per 80g for the original "Potato Chips" is 449kcal (about 5.6kcal per gram). The 7 Premium "Potato Chips" has 383kcal per 70g (about 5.5kcal per gram). Slightly, the 7 Premium is lower in calories.

Is it just a coincidence? The 7 Premium "Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor" appeared to be browner overall, possibly because they were fried for longer. The sizes are the same.

How do they taste and feel?

First, it's polite to start with the genuine "Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor." Since I had been on a diet for a long time, it's been six months since I last ate them. Facing this visual, I can't help but lose my appetite.

Taking a bite, the distinctive crisp texture! This lightness is so addictive. The moderate oiliness, flavorful potatoes, and exquisite saltiness—all perfectly balanced. I've strayed to other potato chips many times, but I always end up coming back to these.

Next, I will try the 7 Premium "Potato Chips Light Salt Flavor." Oh? Compared to the original, there seems to be a slight decrease in saltiness, making it feel lighter. To be honest, I thought "the taste can't be that different," so this is a pleasant discovery!

Although the crispiness is slightly less, when eating it continuously on its own, it doesn't bother me at all. Rather, I feel that the texture is good! This is because the texture of the original is too good, after all.

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