The 1980s was a decade of big cultural, technological, and political changes. It was marked by the rise of consumerism and globalization, as well as the advancement of technology such as the personal computer and video games.
The music of the 80s was diverse and iconic, from the emergence of new wave and punk rock to the popularity of pop icons such as Michael Jackson and Madonna. The 80s also saw significant geopolitical events, including the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Overall, the 1980s was a decade of rapid change and innovation that shaped the world we live in today.
The 1980s were a decade of big hair, bright colors, and some seriously popular snacks.
One snack that dominated the market during this time was crisps, or chips as they’re known in some parts of the world. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the most popular crisps from the 80s.
Walkers Crisps
Walkers crisps have been around since the 1940s, but it wasn’t until the 80s that they really took off. With their catchy advertising campaigns and wide range of flavours, Walkers became a household name in the UK. Some of the most popular flavours in the 80s included Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, and Ready Salted.
These flavours were marketed with catchy advertising campaigns that helped to solidify Walkers’ place in the snack market. The popularity of Walkers was also due in part to their consistent quality, with customers often noting the freshness and crispiness of the chips. To this day, Walkers remains a popular brand of crisps in the UK, with its 1980s success helping to establish it as a staple of British snack culture.
Monster Munch
Monster Munch were first introduced in the UK in 1977, but they didn’t really take off until the 80s. These corn crisps came in three different shapes: a monster paw, a monster claw, and a monster foot. The most popular flavours were Pickled Onion and Roast Beef.
These flavours were often associated with the nostalgic memories of the era, and many people still enjoy them today. One of the unique features of Monster Munch is its shape, which comes in the form of a monster’s paw, claw or foot, depending on the flavour.
The crisps are light and crunchy, making them a satisfying snack for children and adults alike. Although there have been some changes to the product’s recipe and packaging over the years, Monster Munch has remained a beloved brand in the UK snack market and a favorite among those who grew up in the 80s.
The product’s mascot is a friendly-looking monster, which helped to establish the brand’s playful and lighthearted image.
Quavers
Quavers were another popular corn snack in the 80s. They were introduced in 1968 but became more popular in the 80s thanks to their light, crunchy texture and tasty cheese flavour. They were also a hit with kids as they came in a fun spiral shape.
The crisps are famous for its unique shape, which is a spiral, and its light and crunchy texture. Quavers come in a range of flavours, but the most popular one in the 1980s was cheese. The snack was especially popular among children due to its fun shape and mild cheese flavour.
Quavers’ popularity also grew due to its low-fat content, which made it an appealing option for health-conscious consumers. The snack’s packaging and branding have undergone some changes over the years, but it remains a popular snack in the UK today.
Many people continue to enjoy Quavers as a nostalgic snack that reminds them of their childhood, particularly those who grew up in the 1980s.
Hula Hoops
Hula Hoops were first introduced in the UK in the 1970s, but they really took off in the 80s. These ring-shaped crisps were available in a variety of flavours, including Salt & Vinegar, Cheese & Onion, and BBQ Beef.
The snack is famous for its unique ring shape, which is similar to a small hula hoop, hence the name. Hula Hoops come in various flavours, but the most popular one in the 1980s was salt and vinegar. The snack’s tangy and salty flavour made it a popular choice among consumers of all ages.
One of the unique features of Hula Hoops is its ability to be used as a fun and playful toy, with many children and adults alike enjoying the act of stacking and linking the hoops together. Hula Hoops’ popularity continued to grow in the 1980s, and the brand’s advertising campaigns featuring the tagline “Hoop, there it is!” further solidified its place in the UK snack market.
Today, Hula Hoops remain a beloved snack in the UK and a nostalgic favorite among those who grew up in the 80s.
Skips
Skips were another popular snack from the 80s. These light, melt-in-your-mouth crisps had a unique prawn cocktail flavour that was a hit with many people. They were also marketed as a low-fat snack, which was a big selling point at the time.
Skips is a brand of potato-based snacks that was first introduced in the UK in 1974. The snack is famous for its unique texture, which is light and airy, almost like a cheese-flavoured foam.
Skips come in various flavours, but the most popular one in the 1980s was prawn cocktail. The snack’s tangy and slightly sweet flavour made it a popular choice among consumers of all ages. Skips’ popularity continued to grow in the 1980s, and the brand’s advertising campaigns featuring the tagline “Skip the flavour, skip the crunch!” helped to establish the product’s distinctive texture as a key selling point.
Today, Skips remain a popular snack in the UK and are still available in their classic prawn cocktail flavour. Despite the various changes in the UK snack market over the years, Skips’ unique texture and flavour continue to make them a favorite among snack enthusiasts.
Nik Naks
Nik Naks were introduced in the 1980s and quickly became a popular snack. These corn snacks came in a range of flavours, including Nice ‘n’ Spicy and Rib ‘n’ Saucy. They were also known for their quirky advertising campaigns, which featured a group of animated characters known as the Nasty Nibblers.
The snack is famous for its unique tube shape and bold flavour. Nik Naks come in various flavours, but the most popular ones in the 1980s were Nice ‘n’ Spicy and Rib ‘n’ Saucy. The snacks’ zesty and savory flavours made them a popular choice among consumers, particularly young people.
Nik Naks’ popularity continued to grow in the 1980s, and the brand’s advertising campaigns featuring the tagline “The more you crunch, the more you munch!” helped to establish the product’s satisfying texture as a key selling point.
Today, Nik Naks remain a popular snack in the UK and are still available in their classic flavours. Despite the various changes in the UK snack market over the years, Nik Naks’ unique shape and bold flavours continue to make them a favorite among snack enthusiasts.
Discos
Discos were a popular crisp in the 80s thanks to their unique disc shape and bold flavours. They came in a range of flavours, including Salt & Vinegar, Cheese & Onion, and Spicy Tomato. They were also marketed as a snack that could be enjoyed by the whole family.
Discos is a brand of potato-based snacks that was first introduced in the UK in 1971. The snack is famous for its distinctive disc shape and crispy texture. Discos come in various flavours, but the most popular one in the 1980s was salt and vinegar.
The snack’s tangy and salty flavour made it a popular choice among consumers of all ages. Discos’ popularity continued to grow in the 1980s, and the brand’s advertising campaigns featuring the tagline “Once you pop, you can’t stop!” helped to establish the product’s addictive quality as a key selling point.
Today, Discos remain a popular snack in the UK and are still available in their classic salt and vinegar flavour. Despite the various changes in the UK snack market over the years, Discos’ unique shape and crispy texture continue to make them a favorite among snack enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the 1980s were a great time for crisps, with a wide range of flavours and shapes to choose from. While some of these snacks have since been discontinued or changed, they remain fondly remembered by those who enjoyed them during this iconic decade.
