Randy Chandler
In the UK, crisp flavours are commonly associated with specific colours. For example, salt and vinegar crisps are usually blue, while cheese and onion crisps are typically green. However, one of the UK's most popular crisp brands, Walkers, has always packaged its cheese and onion crisps in blue bags, causing confusion among consumers. This colour scheme is unique to Walkers, with most other crisp brands, including supermarket own-brand crisps, packaging cheese and onion crisps in green bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Walkers |
| Flavour | Cheese and Onion |
| Packet Colour | Blue |
| Alternative Packet Colour | Green |
| Packet Colour in Ireland | Green |
| Packet Colour in Australia | Pink |
| Packet Colour in the US | N/A |
| Packet Colour in Europe | Blue |
| Most Popular Crisp Flavour in the UK | Yes |
| Year of Launch | 1954 |
| Year of Launch of Golden Wonder Cheese and Onion Crisps | 1962 |
| Number of Packets Sold per Year | 6 billion |
| Percentage of People Who Want the Packet Colour Changed to Green | 44% |
| Percentage of Young People Who Want the Packet Colour to Remain Blue | 54% |
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What You'll Learn
Walkers' cheese and onion crisps have always been blue
Walkers Cheese and Onion Crisps have always been blue. The company, founded in Leicester in 1948, released the flavour in 1954, eight years before Golden Wonder. As a result, rival confectionery companies avoided replicating Walker's colour scheme and opted for green for their cheese and onion crisps.
Today, many brands use blue packaging for salt and vinegar crisps and green for cheese and onion. However, Walkers have never changed the colours of their packaging. They stated:
> "We're often asked this. Our Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion flavour crisps packs have always been the colours they are today. Contrary to popular belief, we've never swapped the colours around, not even temporarily. We've no plans to change these designs, as they're signature to our brand."
Despite the widespread belief that Walkers changed their packaging colours, the brand has consistently used blue for cheese and onion crisps. This consistency has made the colour scheme a signature of the Walkers brand, contributing to the distinctiveness of their products.
The popularity of Walkers Cheese and Onion flavour extends beyond the UK. The crisps are enjoyed worldwide, particularly in the United States, France, Italy, Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and Austria. The unique tangy flavour and perfect thickness of the crisps have made them a favourite for many, with some considering them the best in the marketplace.
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Most other brands use green for cheese and onion
While Walkers has always packaged its cheese and onion crisps in blue, most other brands use green. Golden Wonder, for instance, packages its cheese and onion crisps in green, as do supermarket own brands, Seabrook, Discos, and Pringles.
The disparity in colour choice is likely due to the fact that Walkers was the original pioneer of the cheese and onion crisp flavour, launching it in 1954, eight years before Golden Wonder. As a result, rival confectionery companies opted for green packaging for their cheese and onion crisps.
The colour green is also associated with the flavour by many consumers, as onions are often green, and the flavour is arguably "more oniony than it is cheesy". Some have also theorised that green represents the plant-like or grassy taste of onions.
Despite the popularity of green packaging for cheese and onion crisps, a YouGov survey in 2014 found that the public was divided on the colour scheme. While 44% of respondents preferred green, 30% chose blue, and 10% said the colour should be yellow. Interestingly, the survey also revealed a generational difference, with 54% of 18-24-year-olds supporting the Walkers blue colour scheme.
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Blue is popular among younger generations
The blue colour of cheese and onion crisp packets has sparked confusion and debate, with many believing that Walkers changed the colour from green. However, Walkers has clarified that they have always used blue for their cheese and onion flavour, released in 1954, eight years before Golden Wonder's green packaging. This colour distinction has become a signature of the Walkers brand, and they have no plans to change it.
The preference for blue among young people may also be influenced by regional factors, as the Midlands, where the flavour originated, favours the Walkers colour scheme. Additionally, the blue packaging could be associated with the "sea taste" of salt and vinegar crisps, creating a sense of consistency in the minds of consumers.
While the exact reasons for the popularity of blue among younger generations are hard to pinpoint, it is clear that this preference exists and plays a role in shaping the crisp market. The colour of packaging can be a significant factor in a consumer's crisp-buying experience, as noted by some respondents in the comments section of the survey.
To summarise, the blue colour of cheese and onion crisp packets, specifically those of the Walkers brand, has gained popularity among younger generations, possibly due to effective marketing and regional influences. This preference has led to a generational difference in opinion on crisp packaging colours, with younger individuals favouring the unique and signature colour scheme of the leading crisp brand.
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Salt and vinegar crisps are usually blue
In fact, several crisp brands in the UK, including Walkers, package their salt and vinegar crisps in green bags, while their cheese and onion flavour comes in blue bags. Many people believe that Walkers changed the colours of their bags in the 1990s, but the company denies this.
However, several other UK crisp brands, including Seabrook, supermarket own brands, and Golden Wonder, sell salt and vinegar crisps in blue bags. In Ireland, Tayto, another crisp brand, also uses blue bags for salt and vinegar, while cheese and onion is red. In the US, Lays sells salt and vinegar crisps in blue bags, while in Australia, they are pink.
The colour of salt and vinegar crisp packets has been a topic of much discussion and even conspiracy theories, with some people believing that Google search results have been deliberately wiped to hide evidence of Walkers' alleged colour change.
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The Midlands favours Walkers' colour scheme
Walkers, which was founded in Leicester in 1948, has always used blue packaging for its cheese and onion flavour, while other crisp brands typically use green packaging for this flavour. The company has stated that they have never changed the colour of their cheese and onion packaging and have no plans to do so, as the colour is signature to their brand.
The blue colour scheme is also a homage to the Midlands, where the iconic flavour was first created. Henry Walker, a butcher from Leicester, began selling potato slices fried in salt in 1948, and the cheese and onion flavour was born six years later in 1954. This was eight years before Golden Wonder, another crisp brand, chose green packaging for their cheese and onion flavour.
The reason for the colour difference between Walkers and other crisp brands is likely due to Walkers being the original pioneers of the cheese and onion flavour. As a result, rival companies opted for green packaging to differentiate themselves from Walkers.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese and onion crisps are blue because Walkers , the original cheese and onion pioneers, have always used blue packaging for this flavour.
Most other crisp brands use green packaging for cheese and onion, but Walkers' cheese and onion flavour has always been blue. Golden Wonder, another crisp brand, also uses green packaging for cheese and onion.
In a 2014 YouGov survey, 44% of respondents said cheese and onion packaging should be green, while 30% said it should be blue. Onions are often associated with the colour green.
Walkers' cheese and onion crisps are blue because the flavour was first released in 1954, eight years before Golden Wonder's cheese and onion crisps. Golden Wonder chose green packaging, and other brands followed suit.
