We are currently living through something of a potato chip renaissance. Where once our grocery store shelves were dedicated almost entirely to classic, barbecue, and sour cream & onion varieties, America’s snack manufacturers have become experts in catering to our every craving with increasingly complex flavors in every bag of chips. In 2024, it’s not unusual to see Chicken & Waffles chips beside the Spicy Mustard and Jalapeno Ranch. And this summer, Lay’s is rolling out three new flavors aimed at transporting us to destinations around the globe with every bite. 

Starting August 8, intrepid snackers nationwide can pick up Lay’s new Global Flavors lineup in-store at their nearest supermarket or at Snacks.com, while supplies last. Here’s what each flavor is all about via Lay’s:

• Wavy Tzatziki, featuring the very Greek flavor combination of yogurt, lemon, dill, and garlic 
• Masala, an Indian-inspired chip flavored with a blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric, and pepper
• Honey Butter, a homage to Korea’s most popular chip variety

“As the proven leader in flavor innovation with more than 200 variations of our iconic potato chip, we’re proud to continue to demonstrate our expertise in crafting delicious flavors that appeal to the unique senses and tastes of communities all over the world,” Tina Mahal, the SVP of marketing at PepsiCo Foods North America, said in the press release. 

Lay’s is pairing this Global Flavors collection with an equally tantalizing sweepstakes. Anyone who scans the QR code on the back of these bags of chips or simply visits laysflavordrop.com from August 12 through September 28 can enter for a chance to win a vacation to Greece, India, or Korea for themselves and a friend. 

An investment in global flavors appears to be happening across the snack landscape. In April, Kettle Brand debuted a limited-time bag of sweet and spicy Gochujang chips, inspired by the popular Korean condiment made of fermented chili paste. On the sweets side, Brach’s decided in 2023 to take its annual spring jelly bean flavor drop in a different direction, releasing a “Desserts of the World” mix with Chocolate Macaron, Strawberry Mochi, Churro, Apple Pie, and Lemon Sorbet varieties. 

Of course, globally inspired flavors are just one subset of the real trend in the consumer packaged goods space: the sense of infinite choice. America’s snack producers are working overtime to churn out more limited-time flavor drops than ever before, redirecting our grocery buying fatigue toward shiny new options and relying on the promotional power of social media influencer marketing to make it happen. When a trip to the supermarket promises an exciting new release, we’re more likely to commit to shopping. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing if the choices are genuinely interesting. If Lay’s can really nail the flavors of Masala, Tzatziki, and Honey Butter, maybe these Global Flavors will become popular enough for the permanent lineup.