Why: My Pilates instructor mentioned that she loves Saltee crackers more than Salticrax but couldn't really say why, so I wondered, but what do they taste like?
When: Wednesday 19 July 2023 at 16h00
What:
- Salticrax: M 10 March 2023, BB 6 October 2023. R32.99/200g
- Saltee: M 7 March 2023, BB 7 March 2024. R24.99/200g
Similar manufactured dates, but big difference in best before date.
Both purchased at Checkers Dorp Street, Stellenbosch.
Presentation was sighted. (Blind would have been tricky, since Salticrax has the name baked into the cracker.) Comments are mine.
Ingredients:
(see image of labels for more detail)
Similar but with a few differences: eg Saltee contains sunflower seed oil, and additional wheat gluten. Salticrax doesn't. Saltee has E503, Salticrax has E341. The order of ingredients also differs (ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity). Salticrax has more kilojoules, and higher total fat. Saltee has higher sodium, protein and dietary fibre. Both have a similar glycaemic carbohydrate level.
Suggested serving size differs considerably. Salticrax: 13g (2 biscuits), Saltees: 30g (6 biscuits)
Appearance:
Salticrax: Smaller in diameter, thicker. Light golden colour, looks less toasted. Bigger holes, less holes (15). Looks dryer, more matt, looks less fatty-like. Has the name baked into the biscuit. 30 biscuits/200g pack
Saltee: Larger in diameter, thinner. Golden brown colour, looks more toasted. Smaller holes, more holes (21). Looks shinier, more fatty-like. No branding on biscuit itself. 37 biscuits/200g pack
All images: Salticrax on the left, Saltee on the right
All images: Salticrax on the left, Saltee on the right
Aroma:
Salticrax: not a strong aroma, quite dusty breadcrumb-like, wheat-like
Saltee: also not such a strong aroma, less dusty, more savoury, some fatty aroma
Flavour:
Salticrax: quite neutral, with savoury marmite-like flavours
Saltee: more of a baked & toasted character, more Maillard characteristics, reminds of buttered toast
Basic tastes:
Salticrax: similar saltiness, otherwise quite neutral
Saltee: possibly slightly sweet, similar saltiness
Mouthfeel:
This is where I found the most differences between the two products.
Salticrax: crisp light crunchy, dry. Softer "snap" when breaking.
Saltee: crunchy, crisper, harder "snap" when breaking, slightly more oily - less dry.
General comments:
I tried both with some marmalade and cheese (my Pilates instructor's serving suggestion). Saltee's are thinner so there's more topping vs cracker when you take a bite. Even though it is much thinner than Salticrax, it is harder (possibly due to the additional gluten?), so is able to handle the weight of the topping. Salticrax is very stable - it is thicker, and smaller in diameter, so one can press down harder on it with a knife when spreading a thicker topping like a cream cheese.
Other characteristics of Saltee's: it is more economical - the price is R8 less per 200g pack, and there are 7 more biscuits, so you'll need to buy less boxes of Saltee's than Salticrax to fill up your next cheese platter. Also, it has a longer shelflife than Salticrax.