Stax

I just found out that Pringles wasn't the only brand of machine formed potato snacks.  I was at a Family Mart store and noticed that Frito Lay had a similar product named Stax, which was around 8% cheaper than Pringles.  It wasn't bad, crisps were slightly smaller in size, a bit heavier in texture, and the packaging came in double plastic containers.  I read a bit more about the rivalry, and learned that in 2003, the Pepsico owned potato crisp went up to challenge the long-time king-of-the-hill, then owned by Procter & Gamble (now owned by Kellogg).  I also learned that the shape of Stax is a simple curved crisp, while Pringles is a double curve saddle known mathematically as a hyperbolic paraboloid.  Furthermore, the snacks are known as potato crisps, which are blended from potatoes and wheat, as differentiated from potato chips, which are purely from potatoes.  Comes in a variety of flavors, but we chose the one with sour cream.  Good mid-day snack!