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Frito-Lay's Stellar Treat for the Solar Eclipse

Written by Alexis Johnson | (May 16, 2024)

As the world gazed upward to witness the awe-inspiring total solar eclipse that traversed North America on April 8, snack lovers had an extra reason to celebrate. This year, in the spirit of cosmic celebration, Frito-Lay introduced a unique treat that had snack aficionados and skywatchers equally enthused.

 

A Snack as Rare as the Eclipse Itself

According to PPAI Media, Frito-Lay unveiled a limited-edition offering of Eclipse SunChips. But these weren't just any SunChips; they were a creative blend of two bold flavors in one bag. Dubbed the "SunChips Solar Eclipse Limited-Edition Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda," these chips aimed to reflect the vibrant contrast between the bright, sunny skies and the dark, mysterious moon. According to Food & Wine, the combination of flavors was intended to mimic the celestial event, with the spicy and sweet tang of pineapple habanero representing the sun and the rich, creamy notes of spicy Gouda standing in for the moon.

 

Snack Hunting: A Quest for the Limited-Edition Chips

Adding to the allure, these chips were a rare find, much like the eclipse itself. They were available exclusively online and for a very brief window of time. Snack enthusiasts had to be on their toes, ready to log onto sunchipssolareclipse.com at precisely 1:33 p.m. Central on the day of the eclipse. Those lucky enough to secure their order were treated not just to the chips but also to an "eclipse swag kit" filled with SunChips merch.

 

Endorsed by the Stars

The chips even received a celestial stamp of approval from Kellie Gerardi, an astronaut who flew with Virgin Galactic. She praised the snack on social media, proclaiming there was "truly no better solar eclipse snack." This endorsement from a real-life astronaut added an extra layer of excitement and authenticity to the SunChips, making them a must-have for both snack lovers and space enthusiasts.

@kelliegerardi

Counting down to the Big Game Day in the celestial world! ☀️👓 If you want to be the MVP of your watch party (or join the fun from afar!) @SunChips has you covered with the ultimate solar eclipse snack. Limited Edition Solar Eclipse SunChips are an epic flavor collision of Pineapple Habañero (☀️) and Black Bean Spicy Gouda (🌚) and they're ONLY available during the 4 min and 27 seconds of totality, while supplies last! See you all on the other side....! #TEAMSUN

♬ original sound - Kellie Gerardi

 

More Than Just a Snack: A Social Media Trophy

The exclusivity and unique nature of the Eclipse SunChips transformed them from a mere snack into a coveted social media trophy. Those who managed to purchase them boasted about their catch online, sharing pictures and experiences of enjoying the snack under the eclipsed sky.

 

As the solar eclipse captivated viewers with its breathtaking beauty, Frito-Lay's Eclipse SunChips offered a flavorful way to enhance the experience. This clever marketing move not only capitalized on a major event but also created a memorable product that resonated with the public's fascination with both astronomy and unique snacks.

 

Source: PPAI Media and Merca2.0