Review: Talkback Speaks Up For Spicy Shortbread Snacks
Fitting somewhere on the “swicy” spectrum, Talkback promises to deliver “the world’s most interesting flavors in the humble shortbread cookie.” We tried three flavors in 5 oz. bags: Cumin & Green Chili, Chocolate & Ancho Chile and Gochugaru & Coffee, all made with no seed oils and no artificial flavors.
Things that stand out:
- These flavors are absolutely unique and deliver on their promise of a complex, dynamic snacking experience; across the line the sweet-to-hot notes come through differently on each SKU: ancho chili cuts through rich chocolate with a smoky bite, while gochugaru lingers on the back end through the coffee.
- Quality and respect for ingredients is obvious– not just in the well-balanced spices, but in the buttery, just-crumbly-enough shortbread cookies themselves.
- The colorful, inviting branding echoes the flavors in offering something proudly different from the rest of the shelf.
- Adding the founders’ story and brand inspiration to the back makes Talkback feel personal and crafted by a passionate team.
Things to consider:
- The tradeoff with unique sweet-spicy-savory flavors is that they don’t go with everything; thoughtful pairings (like hot coffee or tea) are needed to get the most from the experience.
- Along with that, ingredients like ancho chili, ginger and cumin can be overpowering; you’ll still be tasting these on your tongue for some time after eating.
Rating: 
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