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What is the name of the potato sticks in a can?

The potato sticks that come in a can are commonly known as Pringles. Pringles are a popular snack food made from dehydrated potatoes that have been processed into thin, uniform crisps. They are known for their iconic canister packaging and mascot Mr. Pringles.

What are Pringles?

Pringles were first developed in the 1950s by Procter & Gamble researchers as a way to address consumers’ complaints about broken, greasy potato chips and stale flavors. The P&G team created a new form of chip made from dehydrated potato flakes that were pressed into a uniform shape and baked. Unlike traditional potato chips, Pringles have a consistent, stackable shape that protects them from breaking.

The uniform shape is due to the Pringles manufacturing process. Potatoes are first peeled, boiled, and mashed into a dough. This dough is then rolled out into thin sheets and cut into chip-sized pieces before being baked. The chips are sprayed with powdered flavors and stacked neatly into the iconic tubular cans.

Some key features of Pringles chips include:

  • Uniformly shaped, thin and rounded crisps
  • Stackable crisps that avoid breakage
  • Wide range of flavors from original to pizza, sour cream and onion, and barbecue
  • Comes packaged in a recyclable metal can with microtubes
  • Baked with rice, wheat, corn, and potato flours

The tidy stackability of Pringles enabled Procter & Gamble to patent the chips’ design in the late 1960s. Pringles were launched nationwide in the United States in 1967 and quickly became a popular snack food thanks to their convenience, consistency, and taste.

Why Are They Called Pringles?

There are a few theories behind the origin of the Pringles brand name:

  • It was coined to sound like “pringle” – the sound that Pringles make when eaten.
  • It was derived from Mark Pringle – one of the researchers who helped develop them.
  • It was inspired by the Pringle family from Jackson, Tennessee who were investors.
  • It was meant to evoke the word “crisp” and “crinkle.”

However, according to Procter & Gamble, the official story behind the Pringles name is that it was chosen simply because the combination of sounds was unique and pleasing. The company wanted a brand name that was catchy, easy to remember, and stood out from the growing crowd of snack brands in the 1960s.

Pringles Through the Years

Since their debut in the late 1960s, Pringles have become an iconic snack food known around the world. Some key events in Pringles history include:

  • 1968 – Pringles are sold nationwide in the US for the first time.
  • 1970s – New flavors like salt and vinegar, barbecue, and sour cream and onion are introduced.
  • 1975 – Mr. Julius Pringles becomes the snack’s mascot with his distinctive mustache and bow tie.
  • 1980s – Pringles are sold in over 30 countries worldwide including the UK, Australia, Germany, Brazil and Japan.
  • 1990s – Spin-off products like Pringles Stix, Pringles Fat-Free, and baked varieties launch.
  • 2012 – Kellogg’s acquires the Pringles brand from Procter & Gamble.
  • 2017 – Pringles releases creative new flavors like Ranch, Bacon Ranch, Queso, and Cheddar Cheese.

Today, Pringles continue to innovate with new flavors, recipes, and packaging designs. Popular varieties on shelves now include Pizza, Honey Mustard, Hot Sauce, and Sour Cream and Onion. Pringles are sold in over 140 countries and rake in over $1 billion in sales each year.

Pringles Nutrition Facts

Like most snack foods, Pringles are higher in calories, fat, and sodium compared to whole foods. However, here are some of the key nutrition facts about Pringles:

Nutrition Facts Per 1 Ounce Serving
Calories 110
Fat 6g
Sodium 180mg
Carbs 15g
Protein 1g

Pringles get most of their calories from carbohydrates and fat. The original Pringles flavor is made from a base of dehydrated potatoes, vegetable oil, wheat starch, and maltodextrin. The chips are salted and flavored with powdered seasonings.

Pringles are high in sodium due to the salt content – a 1 ounce serving contains about 15% of the recommended daily value. The chips are fortified with vitamins and minerals like folic acid, niacin, and iron to boost the nutritional profile.

Over the years, Pringles have expanded offerings to include lower calorie, fat free, and multi-grain varieties as well. Overall though, most dietitians consider Pringles more of a treat than a daily snack due to their high sodium and fat content.

How Are Pringles Made?

Pringles have a unique manufacturing process that results in their iconic stacked shape and uniform texture:

  1. Potatoes are peeled, boiled, and mashed into dough.
  2. The dough is rolled into thin sheets and cut into circles.
  3. The chips are dehydrated until crispy then sprayed with powdered flavorings.
  4. Stacks of chips are assembled and loaded neatly into cans.
  5. Metal lids are sealed on the cans which are then boxed and shipped.

It takes about 45-50 minutes for potatoes to be processed into finished Pringles chips. The automated assembly line choreography allows for millions of cans to be produced each day at factories around the world.

Each Pringles can holds tightly packed stacks of chips that are sturdy enough to avoid breakage. The chips have a hole in the center which helps air escape during stacking. Mini cereal-like rice and wheat flour are also mixed in which helps create Pringles’ signature crunchy texture.

Common Pringles Flavors

Part of Pringles mass appeal is the diverse range of flavors. Beyond the original salted base, popular flavors include:

  • Sour Cream and Onion – Launched in the 1970s, this tangy cream and onion flavor became an instant classic.
  • Barbecue – Often shortened to “BBQ”, these chips deliver sweet and smoky barbecue seasoning.
  • Cheddar Cheese – Real cheddar cheese brings nutty, sharp flavor to these crisps.
  • Pizza – Savory tomato, cheese, and herb flavors recreate pizza in chip form.
  • Salt and Vinegar – Tart and tongue-tingling, this variety pairs salt with vinegar.
  • Jalapeno – Oven-baked chips flavored with spicy jalapeno pepper puree.

Beyond the core line-up, Pringles frequently rolls out limited-time flavors. Some recent examples include Hot Sauce, Ranch Dressing, Cheeseburger, and Cinnamon Sugar.

Unique Pringles Packaging

One of the most famous elements of Pringles is their unique packaging. Rather than a bag, Pringles come neatly stacked in a tall paperboard tube-shaped container. The packaging features:

  • Tube made of metalized paper composite
  • Plastic bottom cap and reusable lid
  • Moisture-proof interior foil lining
  • Colorful brand label wrapped around center

Pringles tubes revolutionized chip storage in the 1960s. Before, most chips came in flimsy wax paper bags that left chips easily broken and stale. The strong composite tube along with Pringles’ stacking solved these problems.

The Pringles container shape also enabled brand recognition as consumers could spot the distinct tubular cans on shelves from afar. However, environmental groups have criticized the cans’ difficult recyclability. In recent years, Pringles has released greener tube-free packaging options.

Where to Buy Pringles

Given their popularity, Pringles are widely available at major grocery chains across the United States, including:

  • Walmart
  • Kroger
  • Safeway
  • Target
  • Publix
  • HEB
  • Albertsons
  • Costco
  • Sam’s Club

Pringles are generally situated in the chip aisle, often on dedicated Pringles displays highlighting current flavors. The chips typically retail around $1.50 to $3 per individual canister depending on size and promotions.

Beyond grocery stores, Pringles are also convenient to find at:

  • Gas Stations
  • Drug Stores
  • Convenience Stores
  • Vending Machines
  • Online via Amazon, Boxed.com, Walmart.com, etc.

Pringles’ lightweight stackable form and secure packaging has made them popular for individual sale situations outside major retailers. The brand also frequently partners with online snack delivery services.

Fun Facts About Pringles

Over 50+ years of history, Pringles have cultivated an iconic status in the snack aisle. Here are some fun trivia facts about the popular potato chips:

  • Pringles have been certified Kosher since the 1990s.
  • In 2008, 110 feet of Pringles stacked end-to-end broke the record for world’s longest chip.
  • Pringles were shipped to U.S. troops during the Gulf War as they could survive long journeys intact.
  • Studies found the hyperbolic paraboloid shape mathematically maximizes chip stacking.
  • In the late 90s, limited edition Chocolate Mint and Cinnamon Pringles were sold.
  • Over 500 billion Pringles have been produced since 1967.

While Pringles likely began as just another snack product, their innovative shape and tube container transformed them into a pantry staple. Their popularity has endured thanks to constant recipe evolution and quirky marketing campaigns that engraved the mustachioed Mr. Pringles into pop culture history.

Pringles in Pop Culture

As a top-selling snack brand, Pringles have naturally made their way into films, TV shows, songs, and more. Some notable pop culture Pringles appearances include:

  • Talladega Nights (2006) – Ricky Bobby comically shakes down a Pringles can and gulps chips while driving.
  • The Office (2005) – Michael Scott is gifted a giant 6-foot tall can of Pringles.
  • “The Pringles Fat Rap” (1992) – Early 90s commercial rap song about lower fat Pringles.
  • Community (2009) – Troy and Abed share Pringles while bonding about their friendship.
  • Parks and Recreation (2009) – Tom offers guests Pringles and other snacks at a dinner party.

Spotting Pringles in TV shows and movies reinforces its branding as America’s go-to stackable chip. The brand has also forged partnerships with franchises like Star Wars to offer limited-edition themed cans.

Conclusion

Pringles potato crisps have cemented themselves as one of America’s favorite snack foods. Their commercial launch in 1967 marked the arrival of a revolutionary new type of uniform, stackable, and shelf-stable chip. Their flavor diversity, iconic packaging, convenient accessibility, and quirky marketing over the next 50+ years transformed Pringles into a pantry staple.

While nutritionists may debate the health merits of Pringles, it’s hard to argue against their crunch satisfaction. The unique manufacturing process produces thin, aerodynamic crisps that keep on snacking. For the answer to “once you pop, the fun don’t stop,” look no further than the distinctive red Pringles tube.