A weird ’90s rite of passage becomes a snack
If you grew up in the ’90s, chances are someone dared you to press your tongue against a 9-volt battery just to feel that quick zap. It was strange, slightly stupid, and oddly satisfying — a shared childhood moment no one really admits to but everyone remembers.
Now, a snack company wants to bring that nostalgic jolt back to your taste buds, no batteries required. Rewind, a new brand that launched earlier this year, announced on July 10 that it has created battery-flavoured corn chips — yes, you read that right. The product debuted on Dutch supermarket shelves this summer, promising what the company calls a “hard-hitting acidic zing followed by salty metallic notes.”
From Britney Spears to baking soda science
Rewind says its inspiration came from how common the battery-licking habit was. “Millions of people across the world have done it at least once,” the company said in its launch statement. They even referenced a viral moment when pop legend Britney Spears was asked in an interview if she’d tried it herself.
To recreate that peculiar tingle safely, Swedish chef Mattias Larsson reached for simple kitchen science. Using a blend of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate—plus a mix of mineral salts—he engineered a flavour profile that mimics the tongue-tingling charge of a battery without the risk of, well, electrocuting yourself. “The result is surprisingly tasty and definitely sparks curiosity,” Larsson said.
What do they actually taste like?
According to a company spokesperson, the chips pack an intense sour punch at first bite, then fade into a salty, metallic finish. “The flavours actually work quite nicely,” the spokesperson told FOX Business, adding that testers described the sensation as “memorable but snackable.”
The chips are priced at 1.89 euros (about $2.21) and sold alongside more traditional flavors like Cheese & Onion, BBQ & Honey, Tangy Sriracha, and Creamy Paprika. While they’re only available in the Netherlands right now, U.S. snackers can request samples by messaging @rewindchips_NL on Instagram.
Safety first: No actual batteries included
Rewind was quick to clarify that its chips are completely food-grade and battery-free. “We do not recommend or condone licking, biting, or otherwise ingesting real batteries,” the company stressed in its release. The product contains no hazardous components — just creative seasoning chemistry designed to deliver that nostalgic spark.
The quirky flavour follows a growing trend in the snack world: giving adults a taste of their childhood, whether it’s re-released cereals, neon-coloured sodas, or, apparently, chips that taste like licking a 9-volt.
Will Americans get shocked next?
Although there’s no official U.S. launch date, Rewind’s battery-flavoured chips are already making waves online, with curious foodies eager to try the electrifying crunch. For now, American fans will need to rely on overseas contacts or hope that the buzz convinces U.S. retailers to stock them.
Whether you’re intrigued or horrified, one thing’s certain: this is not your average salty snack. And if you ever wanted to relive that weird playground dare — minus the risk of frying your taste buds — Rewind just made it possible, one jolt-inspired chip at a time.
Read this later:
- Households that will receive payments of up to $30,000 starting September 1 – These are the families that will receive the ‘extra’ in Texas
- This is Cracker Barrel’s new logo, which has upset many in the United States – The company has suffered millions in losses on the…
- Chipotle uses Zipline drone delivery to bring orders to customers – The locations in Texas where the trial will take place in the coming…
- 32,000 pounds of meat products recalled due to false USDA inspection marks – These are the Sabrositos batches and products recalled in the US
- Bad news for lovers of Italian food: fourth Italian chain files for bankruptcy this year
- Beloved chicken chain makes bold play for New York with 20 new franchises
