Wasabi Peas: The Perfect Snack Food

Wasabi Peas: The Perfect Snack Food

The Japanese have been enjoying wasabi peas for ages. But here in America, wasabi peas have only come into the national consciousness in the last few decades. They have quickly become popular enough that even Trader Joe's carries their own brand of wasabi peas, which is surely the imprimatur of national acceptance!
My first experience with wasabi peas was in my first few weeks of college. My roommate was an Asian-American woman from Hawaii, and her parents sent her a care package containing all sorts of crazy-looking food. I didn't know what half of it was. (In fact, I skipped past a bag of nori puffed snack cracker treats because I thought they were a bag of replacement coat buttons.)
She urged me to try some wasabi peas, but only one or two at a time. Thank goodness she wasn't in a sadistic mood, because one or two was more than enough for my tender palate!
But after the initial burning and terror and panting and "Whooo!"ing, I paused, then asked if I could have a few more.
That's the thing about wasabi peas: the heat builds and builds as you snack on them, until suddenly you can take no more. You curse the day you ever tried them. You lunge for the nearest glass of water. (Since the heat of wasabi isn't oil-based, it can be quenched with water.)
And then a few minutes later, you find yourself reaching for them all over again!
The wasabi "kick" is actually pretty small with these little guys. It's more the flavor of wasabi, with very little of the burn. Nevertheless, you wouldn't want to pack a whole handful into your mouth. These are a snack to savor, one at a time. These aren't Cheetos, to be gobbled down wholesale.
Between that and the protein content and nutrition of the peas, this is a great snack for anyone watching their diet. You get crunchy, sweet, salty, and spicy all in one little snack - and you can't binge on them the way you can on Lay's.
Wasabi peas really are one of the world's most perfect snack foods. Protip: I always bring a bag to any gathering I have been invited to. Set out a bowl of wasabi peas, and people's eyes will light up. And there is almost always someone who has never tried wasabi peas. It's always fun to show people a delicious new food!
Just don't be a sadist. Make sure they only eat one or two the first time. It's the right thing to do!