Monster Munch
Encyclopedia
Monster Munch is a baked corn snack available in the United Kingdom
, produced by Walkers
. Although the snack is largely aimed at children, it is enjoyed widely by people of all ages.
. Originally called "The Prime Monster" (a play on "The Prime Minister
", and as part of a wider campaign), the decision was taken to rename the snack "Monster Munch" in 1978. Advertised as "The Biggest Snack Pennies Can Buy" – in reference to the large size of the crisps – each pack featured a different monster on the front of the packet.
The snack was supported by a "Monster Munch Club", whose members received a "Monster Munch Munchers" membership pack which included a membership card, pen, several story books, and a story tape which included six "tall stories" and accompanying songs.
Pickled Onion has remained in the selection throughout the years, with Roast Beef appearing in almost every combination.
By the 1990s the four main flavours available were Pickled Onion, Roast Beef, Smokey Bacon and Saucy.
The original Monster Munch used two different snack shapes, related to two of the Monsters. The shape known as a "monster paw" that is still used today is based on a monster foot. The other represented the gangly, long-tongued pink monster: circular with two bumps on the top for eyes, protrusions on either side and a tongue dangling down. For a limited time in the early 1990s, there were also spider shaped Monster Munch with a smokey bacon flavour.
A short-lived range of Monster Munch themed drinks - Monster Fizz - was available in the 1980s. The small range of flavours included orangeade.
Since then, the range of flavours has changed several times, such as Cheesy replacing Spaghetti Sauce (and the Blue Monster being recoloured yellow). A wide range of Tazos
, featuring images of the monsters, was produced with one Tazo included in each bag.
A Mega Monster Munch website was launched to coincide with the relaunch.
, the major potato crisp and corn snack brand Tayto
made a spicy flavoured corn snack with the name "Monster Munch". Upon the movement of Walkers
into the Irish market in the 1990s, the name "Monster Munch" was purchased from Tayto. Thereafter, Tayto changed the name of their snack to "Mighty Munch" to differentiate between the Tayto and Walker snacks.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, produced by Walkers
Walkers (snack foods)
Walkers is a British snack food manufacturer operating mainly in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and to a lesser extent on the European continent. They are best known for manufacturing crisps. They hold 47 per cent of the British crisp market...
. Although the snack is largely aimed at children, it is enjoyed widely by people of all ages.
Smiths Monster Munch (1977-1995)
Monster Munch was launched in Britain in 1977 by SmithsThe Smith's Snackfood Company
The Smith's Snackfood Company is a company best known for producing and selling a range of snack food such as crisps. It is now owned by New York based company PepsiCo.-Smiths in the UK:...
. Originally called "The Prime Monster" (a play on "The Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
", and as part of a wider campaign), the decision was taken to rename the snack "Monster Munch" in 1978. Advertised as "The Biggest Snack Pennies Can Buy" – in reference to the large size of the crisps – each pack featured a different monster on the front of the packet.
The snack was supported by a "Monster Munch Club", whose members received a "Monster Munch Munchers" membership pack which included a membership card, pen, several story books, and a story tape which included six "tall stories" and accompanying songs.
Original monsters
There were four main monsters featured on the packaging, although a total of six featured in the advertising.| Monster | Description | Flavour |
|---|---|---|
| Pink Monster | A tall, pink, gangly creature with a floppy tongue | Roast Beef |
| Blue Monster | A hat-wearing blue creature with floppy-ears and four arms | Smokey Bacon |
| Yellow Monster | A yellow, one-eyed creature with a red nose | Pickled Onion |
| Orange Monster | A fat, orange creature with pink hair | Prawn Cocktail |
Flavours
Monster Munch was available in a variety of flavours over the years including Roast Beef, Pickled Onion, Saucy Tomato, Bacon, Cheese & Onion, King Prawn and Salt & Vinegar.Pickled Onion has remained in the selection throughout the years, with Roast Beef appearing in almost every combination.
By the 1990s the four main flavours available were Pickled Onion, Roast Beef, Smokey Bacon and Saucy.
The original Monster Munch used two different snack shapes, related to two of the Monsters. The shape known as a "monster paw" that is still used today is based on a monster foot. The other represented the gangly, long-tongued pink monster: circular with two bumps on the top for eyes, protrusions on either side and a tongue dangling down. For a limited time in the early 1990s, there were also spider shaped Monster Munch with a smokey bacon flavour.
A short-lived range of Monster Munch themed drinks - Monster Fizz - was available in the 1980s. The small range of flavours included orangeade.
Walkers Monster Munch (1995-2008)
In 1995 the Monster Munch brand was taken over by Walkers who relaunched them with a range of four flavours. One of the most significant changes was that the crisps were much smaller than before. The monster characters were also redesigned.Flavours
Walkers relaunched Monster Munch with five flavours: Pickled Onion, Beef Burger, Spaghetti Sauce and Flamin' Hot and Roast Beef.Since then, the range of flavours has changed several times, such as Cheesy replacing Spaghetti Sauce (and the Blue Monster being recoloured yellow). A wide range of Tazos
Tazos
Tazos are round circular disks, which are found in packets of chips made by Frito-Lay and its subsidiaries around the world. The idea behind Tazos started out similar to Pogs, whereby each Tazo contained a score value, and a game was played to 'win' Tazos from other players.Tazos have been...
, featuring images of the monsters, was produced with one Tazo included in each bag.
Original Monster Munch relaunched (2008-present)
In September 2008 Walkers re-launched Monster Munch, based on the original Monster Munch from the Smiths days. The crisps have returned to their original larger size, and the packs include retro designs based on the original packs, featuring three of the original four monsters. "Roast Beef" flavour features the Pink Monster as originally, "Pickled Onion" features the Yellow Monster and "Flamin' Hot" is marketed with the Blue Monster. The orange monster was not brought back.A Mega Monster Munch website was launched to coincide with the relaunch.
Limited editions
Throughout the years there have been several limited edition flavours available for a short period of time. A "Baked Bean" flavour was made available in 2003 for Comic Relief. A "Vanilla Ice Cream" flavour was released in 2004, and was received with mostly negative reaction. This type of monster munch was non-savoury, and it contained sugar instead of salt.Tayto Monster Munch (Ireland)
In IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the major potato crisp and corn snack brand Tayto
Tayto
Tayto is a major Irish crisps and popcorn manufacturer, founded by Joe Murphy in 1954. Tayto invented the first Cheese & Onion crisps as well as the process of the seasoned potato chip/crisps. Tayto crisps are a cultural phenomenon in Ireland, and "Tayto" is sometimes used in Ireland as a synonym...
made a spicy flavoured corn snack with the name "Monster Munch". Upon the movement of Walkers
Walkers (snack foods)
Walkers is a British snack food manufacturer operating mainly in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and to a lesser extent on the European continent. They are best known for manufacturing crisps. They hold 47 per cent of the British crisp market...
into the Irish market in the 1990s, the name "Monster Munch" was purchased from Tayto. Thereafter, Tayto changed the name of their snack to "Mighty Munch" to differentiate between the Tayto and Walker snacks.