Behind the Flavor: The Making of Cinnamon Brown Sugar

We sat down with Jackson's Food Scientist, Chief Snack Innovator, Jordyn Amato, to get the inside scoop on our latest limited-edition flavor. Here's what she had to say about bringing Cinnamon Brown Sugar to life: 

Q: What inspired the Cinnamon Brown Sugar flavor? 

A: The inspiration came straight from our amazing fans! We're always listening to our customers, which is why we regularly send out surveys asking about flavor preferences. Cinnamon and sugar kept popping up, and we knew we had to make it happen. 

We wanted to bring some holiday cheer to our chips, with a dash of nostalgia that might remind you of your favorite childhood treat. My mom always used to make me a piece of sourdough toast with butter and a cinnamon sugar blend for a sweet fall snack. I tried to match the feeling I had eating that treat. The goal was to create something that adults would love, but that kids would enjoy too – a true family-friendly snack for holiday get-togethers. 

It was about capturing that warm, cozy feeling of autumn and the holidays in a chip. We aimed for a flavor that would make you smile with the first crunch, whether you're snacking solo or sharing with loved ones around the festive table. It's our way of bringing a little extra joy to the season, all inspired by you, our Snack Heroes! 

Q: How many iterations did it take to perfect the flavor?  

A: Oh, we must have gone through at least 30 versions! It took us months. The tricky part was balancing the sweetness of the sugar, molasses, warmth of the cinnamon, and savory components that make them crave-able all while letting the natural flavor of our sweet potatoes shine through. It was a delicious challenge! 

Q: What makes the cinnamon brown sugar in this chip special?  

A: We've cracked the code on brown sugar flavor without actually using brown sugar! We blend regular sugar, cane sugar, and a touch of molasses to create those rich caramel and toffee notes you love. 

But here's the kicker - we've balanced the sweetness with a hint of savory. Pair that with our sweet potatoes and avocado oil, and you've got a chip that's irresistibly complex. It's not just sweet - it's a flavor journey that keeps you reaching for more!  

Q: Any surprises during the development process?  

A: Oh, absolutely! Creating our Cinnamon Brown Sugar chip was like solving a tasty puzzle. You know how sometimes the cinnamon sugar at the bottom of your cereal bowl is the best part? Well, we wanted every chip to have that perfect flavor coating. 

The tricky part was that cinnamon and sugar don't exactly play well together in seasoning form. They're different sizes and weights, so they tend to separate – kind of like oil and water. We had to get creative to make sure each chip got its fair share of both cinnamon and sugar. 

It took some trial and error, but we finally cracked the code! We found just the right mix that not only tastes amazing but also sticks to the chip perfectly. So now, whether it's the first chip or the last, you're guaranteed that delicious Cinnamon Brown Sugar flavor in every crunchy bite!  

Q: How do you know when you've nailed the flavor? 

A: When the team cannot stop eating them! Personally, I call it the crumb test. I leave multiple bags of different variations of the flavor out, and just patiently wait. The first bag to be reduced to crumbs is usually your winning ticket. We do extensive taste tests with a variety of panels. When you see people's eyes light up and reach for seconds (and thirds), we knew we had a keeper. Additionally, since I am surrounded by chips all the time, I know we have something special when I am snacking on them at my desk consistently. It is a good gut check. 

Q: Any serving suggestions for Cinnamon Brown Sugar fans? 

A: They're fantastic on their own, of course. But try them crumbled over vanilla ice cream for a mind-blowing dessert. Or use them in a homemade trail mix for a sweet and salty bowl of goodness.

There you have it, snack heroes – the inside scoop on how we cooked up fall's favorite flavor. Ready to taste the magic for yourself? Grab a bag (or three) of our limited-edition Cinnamon Brown Sugar chips before they're gone!