The Discontinued Black Pepper Chip That May Never Come Back

Food and beverage companies commonly release new products to try and garner interest in a brand, but those results don't often stand the test of time. Nearly everyone remembers famous disasters like the now discontinued New Coke and even fan favorites like Choco Tacos disappearing from store shelves. Yet, some more obscure snacks are often quickly forgotten in the mix as manufacturers pump out the latest creations. Black Pepper Jack Doritos are one such discontinued chip flavor we probably won't get back, and while there are some dedicated fans who still hope for the snack's return, the truth is that many people don't remember them at all.

Folks who had a chance to try these chips after they hit store shelves sometime between 2003 and 2004 were impressed with the flavor, although some said they weren't able to taste the black pepper advertised in the name. Still, fans did appreciate that the chips were a departure from the typical nacho cheese flavor that seems to be a part of many Doritos products. Instead, they boasted a smoother cheesy taste with slight aftertones of spice. However, sometime around 2008, the Black Pepper Jack Doritos were discontinued for reasons unknown, leaving the few die-hard fans of the Frito-Lay brainchild wondering if they would ever make a comeback.

While Black Pepper Jack Doritos were only around for a few years, they did make a lasting impact on some dedicated snackers. Over on the Doritos subreddit, some occasional post of their yearning for the chips' return, though their wishes are speckled in between comments from people wondering what all the fuss is about, as they never had a chance to try the chips in questions.

The discontinued chips are sometimes confused with Jumpin' Jack Doritos, but those who remember the taste of Black Pepper Jack Doritos contend they are nothing alike. However, unlike the BPJ flavor, folks may still be able to get their hands on the Jumpin' Jack version. After being discontinued, this variety was brought back for limited release in 2013, and it appears that today, some sellers might just still have a few lying around. Many stores list them as out of stock, but the Doritos website indicates they might still available as a limited-release product in some markets. While Jumpin' Jack Doritos might not taste the same, for fans of the discontinued Black Pepper Jack Doritos, it could be as close as they will ever get to their true favorite.