Today I’m grateful for a simple local snack called Chip Nuts.
Picard’s Peanuts is a large peanut farm in Southwest Ontario. Founded in the late seventies, they are known for being the first peanut farm in the region, which was otherwise dominated by tobacco cash crops. The eponymous Jim Picard (founder), had the idea to use a retail outlet to support his farm, given how difficult it was to sell peanuts commercially. After the first shop, he and his family opened a few more outlets around the province.
Confusingly, there is also a Picard’s Foods in the province which is run by two of Jim’s children. Apparently Jim and his son (also named Jim) ran the original business together, while his other children (John and Renee) tried to create their own using the family name. Both companies claim to be the true ‘Picard’s Peanuts’. Picard’s Foods has several shops which I’ve also visited, and I’ll honestly say that I never noticed that they were a different company.
The original shop near Simcoe, Ontario is the one that I know best and where I normally like to go. The shelves are filled with all manner of ‘peanuts covered in something tasty’ type items. Chocolate-covered, candied, BBQ-flavored. The usual suspects are all present and accounted for. But the standout amongst them all is the Chip Nuts (TM).
Chip Nuts are uncomplicated. They are peanuts with a fried potato coating, and are often dusted with some kind of flavoring. A few of the fun ones are
Eating them is an interesting experience. As you bite into one, the coating breaks apart and the flavors all mix together in a pleasant way. The taste overall is very chip-like (obviously), but the density of the peanut makes them much more filling.
I don’t really eat these types of snacks anymore. When I visit the Picard’s shop my go-to is always their natural peanut butter, which I love.
I’ve made a habit of giving their products (including the chip nuts) as gifts. It’s easy to throw a few bags of nuts into a box and ship it out to a far-away family relative. I’ll know for sure they haven’t tried them before, and they are always appreciated.
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