Brewer creates world’s most expensive crisp

A Swedish craft brewer has created what it believes to be the perfect accompaniment to its brews – five individually handmade crisps priced at £45 (US$56).

The high class snack, created by St. Erik’s Brewery as the perfect pairing to its beer, was devised by chef Pi Le and is made with matsutake, a rare Japanese mushroom, and a special truffle seaweed from the Faroe Islands that can be found only in cold tidal waters.

“St. Erik’s Brewery is one of Sweden’s leading microbreweries and we’re passionate about the craftsmanship that goes into our beer”, brand manager Marcus Friari said in a statement.

“At the same time, we felt that we were missing a snack of the same status to serve with it. A first-­class beer deserves a first-­class snack, and this is why we made a major effort to produce the world’s most exclusive potato chips. We’re incredibly proud to be able to present such a crispy outcome.”

A pack of the potato chips will set you back £46 (US$56). With just five individual crisps included in each box, that’s an alarming £9.20 per crisp.

“All of the chips have been made by hand,” said chef Pi Le.  “It took a delicate touch, a finely honed sense of taste and time to ensure that each chip would achieve a perfect balance between the various ingredients. The taste is a very Scandinavian one. Most people recognize potatoes and onions, but what stands out is the quality. All of the ingredients are of a stature that not many will have tried before. These chips are an excellent accompaniment to craft beer, or simply enjoyed on their own.”

Just 100 boxes of the crisps have been produced and are, somewhat amazingly, already sold out, with the proceeds going to charity.