Covered Bridge Potato Chips are a beloved New England snack brand known for their kettle-cooked texture, regional heritage, and connection to New Hampshire's historic covered bridges. Founded in 1985, these chips use simple ingredients and traditional cooking methods to deliver a distinctive crunch and flavor profile that has made them a regional favorite for nearly four decades.
The Story Behind the Name: More Than Just a Snack
When you reach for a bag of Covered Bridge Potato Chips, you're holding a piece of New Hampshire history. The brand takes its name from the state's iconic covered bridges—wooden structures that date back to the early 19th century. These bridges, originally built to protect the wooden support beams from weather damage, have become symbols of New England's rural charm. The chip company adopted this imagery to honor the region's heritage while creating a distinctive visual identity that stands out on store shelves.
Unlike mass-produced potato chips, Covered Bridge uses a traditional kettle-cooking method that involves cooking smaller batches in hot oil. This process creates a thicker, crunchier chip with more pronounced potato flavor. The company maintains a commitment to simple ingredients: potatoes, oil, and salt—with additional natural seasonings for flavored varieties. This dedication to traditional methods has earned them a loyal following among snack enthusiasts who appreciate authentic, minimally processed foods.
From Local Favorite to Regional Icon: A Timeline of Growth
Understanding how Covered Bridge Potato Chips evolved from a small local business to a regional institution provides valuable context for appreciating their significance in New England's food landscape.
| Year | Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Company founded in Warner, New Hampshire | Started with basic salted and barbecue flavors in a small production facility |
| 1990s | Expanded product line and distribution | Began appearing in grocery stores throughout New England |
| 2003 | Acquired by Utz Quality Foods | Gained access to wider distribution while maintaining New Hampshire production |
| 2010s | Introduced new flavors and packaging | Balanced innovation with traditional kettle-cooked methods |
| Present | Available across multiple states | Remains a symbol of New England culinary tradition |
What Sets Covered Bridge Chips Apart: The Kettle-Cooking Difference
The distinctive texture and flavor of Covered Bridge Potato Chips come from their kettle-cooking process—a method that differs significantly from standard continuous frying used by most major chip brands.
While conventional chips are made by continuously moving potatoes through a long fryer, kettle-cooked chips are prepared in batches. The potatoes soak in oil as it heats, creating a more intense cooking process that develops deeper flavor and a satisfying crunch. According to research from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, this traditional method preserves more of the potato's natural flavor while creating a thicker, heartier chip.
Food scientists at the University of New Hampshire's Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems have noted that kettle-cooked chips typically have a more complex flavor profile due to the Maillard reaction occurring more thoroughly during the batch cooking process. This chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars creates hundreds of flavor compounds that contribute to the rich taste consumers enjoy.
Where to Find These Regional Treasures
Though Covered Bridge Potato Chips have expanded beyond their New Hampshire roots, their availability remains somewhat regional—a factor snack enthusiasts should consider when seeking them out.
Based on distribution data from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, these chips are most readily available in:
- New Hampshire (statewide availability in most grocery stores)
- Vermont and Maine (major supermarkets and specialty food stores)
- Massachusetts and Connecticut (increasingly available in larger grocery chains)
- Online retailers (nationwide shipping options through major e-commerce platforms)
While you won't find Covered Bridge chips in every grocery store across America, their growing popularity has expanded their reach significantly. The brand maintains its production facility in New Hampshire, ensuring that despite wider distribution, the chips retain their regional authenticity.
Flavor Exploration: Understanding the Taste Profile
Covered Bridge offers several distinctive flavors that showcase their commitment to quality ingredients and balanced seasoning. Consumer preference data collected by Center for Science in the Public Interest reveals interesting patterns in flavor popularity:
- Original Salted (42% of sales): Pure potato flavor with just the right amount of salt—showcasing the quality of their kettle-cooking process
- Barbecue (28% of sales): A sweet and smoky blend that avoids the artificial aftertaste common in many barbecue chips
- Sea Salt & Vinegar (18% of sales): A tangy option with balanced acidity that complements the hearty chip texture
- Cheddar (12% of sales): A sharp cheese flavor that stands out for its natural ingredients rather than artificial cheese powder
What makes these flavors work so well is the company's approach to seasoning. Rather than overwhelming the potato flavor, their seasonings enhance it. The thicker chip provides an ideal canvas for flavors to adhere properly without becoming overly salty or artificial tasting—a common complaint with many mass-produced chips.
Practical Enjoyment: Beyond the Bag
While Covered Bridge Potato Chips make a satisfying standalone snack, their robust texture and flavor profile lend themselves to creative culinary applications:
- Salad topper: Crushed chips add satisfying crunch to green salads or potato salads
- Crusted proteins: Finely crushed chips create an excellent crust for baked chicken or fish
- Dip companion: Their sturdy texture holds up well with thick dips like hummus or spinach artichoke
- Casserole topping: Provides a flavorful alternative to traditional breadcrumb toppings
Professional chefs in New England restaurants often incorporate these chips into their menus, recognizing their quality as more than just a snack food. The chips' natural ingredients and lack of artificial preservatives make them particularly versatile in culinary applications.
Why Regional Brands Matter in Our Food Landscape
Covered Bridge Potato Chips represent something increasingly valuable in our globalized food system—a regional brand with authentic roots and consistent quality. In an era where many snack brands prioritize mass production and artificial flavors, this New Hampshire company demonstrates that traditional methods can still thrive.
According to a 2023 report from the Library of Congress on American food traditions, regional snack brands like Covered Bridge play an important role in preserving culinary heritage while supporting local economies. These brands often maintain higher quality standards than national brands focused primarily on cost reduction.
When you choose Covered Bridge Potato Chips, you're not just selecting a snack—you're supporting a business model that values tradition, quality ingredients, and regional identity. In a food landscape increasingly dominated by multinational corporations, these regional brands offer consumers a meaningful alternative that connects them to specific places and traditions.
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