NikNaks, also known as "amaNikNaks," is the brand name for a popular brand of South African

Cheese puffs Cheese puffs, cheese curls, cheese balls, cheese ball puffs, cheesy puffs, or corn curls are a puffed corn snack, coated with a mixture of cheese or cheese-flavored powders. They are manufactured by extruding heated corn dough through a die th ...

manufactured by the Simba Chips company since 1972. Originally only coming in a "Cheese" flavour. It is normally sold in 55 gram and 135 gram bags, and is primarily made from

maize Maize ( ; ''Zea mays'' subsp. ''mays'', from es, maíz after tnq, mahiz), also known as corn (North American and Australian English), is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. Th ...

, vegetable oil, salt and cheese. Though based in South Africa and mostly consumed in the

Southern African Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. The physical location is the large part of Africa to the south of the extensive Congo River basin. Southern Africa is home to a number of ...

region, NikNaks are consumed internationally due to South Africa's

diaspora A diaspora ( ) is a population that is scattered across regions which are separate from its geographic place of origin. Historically, the word was used first in reference to the dispersion of Greeks in the Hellenic world, and later Jews after ...

Branding

The brand features the brand mascot, Nik the Nak, on a yellow packet with different coloured diamonds arranged in a circular pattern depending on the flavour. Green for fruit

chutney A chutney is a spread in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. Chutneys are made in a wide variety of forms, such as a tomato relish, a ground peanut garnish, yogurt or curd, cucumber, spicy coconut, spicy onion or mint dipping sauce. ...

, brown for spicy beef, and pink for cheese. In the 2000s the image of the brand mascot was altered due to concerns over the racially prejudicial nature of the original image featuring a stylised

Kaapse Klopse The Kaapse Klopse (or simply Klopse), formerly known as the Coon Carnival and officially called Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, is a Cape coloured minstrel festival that takes place annually on 2 January in Cape Town, South Africa. It is also refe ...

minstrel. The mascot was originally "''introduced as a middle-aged comic-like character

hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...

has since evolved into a funkier more youthful male, symbolising elements of youth culture.''" The new and final (as of 2020) branding was finalised in 2010 when a design from the advertising agency Graffiti by Mzwandile Buthelezi was chosen after members of the public voted it the best of 3 possible new options. In 2014

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

importers of South African Niknaks were issued with legal letters informing them not to import the snacks into the country as they infringed on the brand name of the older, 1981-established British brand Nik Naks manufactured by

KP Snacks KP Snacks is a British producer of branded and own-label maize-, potato-, and nut-based snacks, "Choc Dips" and nuts. The ''KP'' stands for “Kenyon Produce”. The company is based in Slough, England, UK. History The company was founded in ...

Flavours

NikNaks currently come in eight different flavours: * Original Cheese – the brand's original flavour in a yellow and pink packet. * BBQ flavour – (formerly Spicy Beef) launched on the brand's 40th anniversary in October 2013 in a yellow and brown packet. * Fruit Chutney – in a yellow and green packet. * Grilled Chicken – in a yellow and tan packet (launched 2020). * Sweet Chili – in a yellow and blue packet. * Ama-Collision Cheese & Sweet Chilli – in a yellow, pink and blue packet. * Ama-Collision Cheese & BBQ – in a yellow, pink and brown packet. * Flamin' Hot – Black and Red packet The following flavours are discontinued: * Chilli Cheese – in a yellow and red packet launched in November 2015. * Spicy Tomato – in a yellow and red packet launched in 2010.

Controversy

Simba Chip, the manufacturers of NikNaks, were reviewed by South Africa's Advertising Regulatory Body for alleged false advertising after public complaints that the Flamin' Hot flavour was not spicy. The board ruled in Simba's favour, stating that perceived spiciness is subjective to each consumer.

Nutritional information

References

{{Reflist Brand name snack foods Products introduced in 1972 Snack foods Cheese dishes South African snack foods Maize dishes 1972 establishments in South Africa