CRUNCH TIME

FOOD scientist dr Stuart Farrimond, author of The Science Of Cooking, used a noise meter to record the loudness of the ‘crunch factor’. Here are his top five — and the quietest brand . . .

SQUARES

88.1 DECIBELS. As noisy as a motorbike, no wonder these are the outright winner. Makers know the louder the crunching noise, the crisper and fresher the crisp seems to us. 10/10

TYRRELLS READY SALTED

82.8 DECIBELS. The noise of these as they snap in the mouth is loud enough to be heard above a vacuum cleaner. 9/10

QUAVERS

81.6 DECIBELS. These airy

whorls look delicate. But the sound of them reverberating in the oral cavity produces fabulous crunching noise as loud as a singing voice. 9/10

DORITOS ORIGINAL

78.8 DECIBELS. Robust but still dry enough to crack into pointy shards that emit a sound almost as loud as a passing car. 8/10

SALT & SHAKE

79.2 DECIBELS. Uncomplicated thin slices are proportioned to give one of the loudest and most satisfying crunches. 8/10

CHIPSTICKS

68.4 DECIBELS. This is more of a pathetic whimper than a loud crack. 3/10