Pizza Beans seem like a bad idea. A dichotomy exists between beans (healthy and nutritious) and pizza (delicious and lard-inducing) which seems too insurmountable to overcome. Kasugai already has snacks similar to this, though.

Kasugai Pizza Beans!

Wasabi peas, fried broad beans, and coated peanuts are among Kasugais savory offerings. All three have a tasty, crisp coating which is flavored or plain. Never before, however, was pizza used as a flavor in the coating.

Not only has Kasugai created a new taste sensation, they’ve attempted to merge two opposites together! How has Kasugai done this? What diabolical deliciousness (or not) awaits me in this bag? Let’s get this Pizza Bean party underway!

Packaging

Mega points on the packaging. First off, there’s a giant slice of meaty, greasy pizza, oozing with cheese right at the top of the bag. The flavor within must be hardcore pizza for the company to boldly slap a photo of it on their packaging. The picture dissolves into a darker gradient emblazoned with kanji. Immediately below the writing is a green banner declaring “Pizza Beans With Beer or Wine“. Thanks Kasugai.

Now I know what to munch on when I’m throwing back a few bottles of merlot ^_^. I’m also informed of these beanies’ pizza bend by “Pizza taste of rich flavor“. Seriously though, the design is colorful, artfully arranged and highly informative. I know exactly what I’m getting and how it’s supposed to taste. Even if the beans taste like crap, the packaging did its job; I bought ‘em cause the bag was so attractive. Score: A+

Appearance

Far from looking like beans, Pizza Beans look like flat pebbles covered in cheese. It’s an interesting effect. Score: A

Taste the pizza flavor!

Texture

These beans have a helluva crunch. The outer coating smacks the mouth around first, followed by the satisfying crunch of the “roasted” (read as “fried”) beans. It’s the perfect amount of texture with zero greasy feel. Unlike other fried, flavored snack foods, these lil’ treats don’t leave much on the hands in the way of powder and oil. Very satisfying. Score: A+

Flavor

I expected to be greeted with the smell of pizza after opening the bag, but there’s nothing but a slight scent of old socks and seaweed. The taste however is actually kinda pizza-y. Pizza Beans have a subtle, mature flavor which hints at pizza. The first flavor to hit is the tang of cheddar cheese, followed by a hint of sugar and herbs/spices, then finishes off with some heat and pepper. The coating adds a bit of a wheat note, giving the vague impression of pizza crust. It’s not bad, not exactly pizza, but a fair attempt thereof.

I wouldn’t immediately say these beans taste like “PIZZA”, but they do taste cheesy, tangy, and wheat-y, all of which are characteristic of pizza. If anything, Pizza Beans taste a lot like cheddar Combos with some zest. Not a bad thing, and slightly healthier than the Combos.  Score: A

The Verdict

I highly recommend trying these beans. You’ll never know they’re beans and you’ll get taste and texture which beats any Western junk food, hands down.