The Chipography now includes profiles on over 75 potato chip brands - not a bad haul for four months, one man, and his old Macbook!
I wanted to share a few facts about the data collected to date. The Chipography is both a labor of love and a data collection activity. Periodically I'll post interesting findings, charts, and conclusions. Which states have the most representatives? Pennsylvania (13) brands and Ohio (9), in a landslide. This isn't a surprise, as the two states comprise what I consider America's "potato chip belt". There was a high volume of European immigrants, and the industry suited the taste of the people in those states.
Following Pennsylvania are California (6), then Illinois and Michigan (each with 4). Which states aren't represented? The southeast is not a strong region for potato chips, as Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee all currently don't have representation.
Perhaps the most surprising state without a brand is Idaho - the first state you think of when you think of potatoes.
Other states without representation include Delaware, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyoming. What's the most frequent flavor across all brands? Excluding original (or salted, or plain), Barbecue wins in a landslide. What makes tracking it tricky is that there's little consistency in how the brands note the flavor. Any of the following permutations were counted as barbecue:
Barbecue BBQ Bar-B-Q BarBQ Bar-B-Que Barbeque
Other frequent chip flavors included sour cream & onion, and salt & vinegar. Chips with cheddar, jalapeno, and salt & pepper trail those. How can I find a brand? All brands are sorted alphabetically. Alternatively, you can try the search bar in the top right corner of the screen. Can I suggest a brand that's not in the Chipography? Of course! Even extinct brands are welcome. The more the merrier. Please leave a comment, send me a message on twitter @potatochipworld, or email me at chip@potatochipworld.com