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Q & A with Steven Arena of Ancient Crunch

Lynn

In a world saturated with snack options, MASA emerged as a game-changer in the realm of traditional tortilla chips. Born out of a genuine love for chips and a desire to enjoy them without the usual sluggish aftermath, MASA introduces a revolutionary concept – the very first tortilla chips crafted from organic corn and infused with the wholesome essence of grass-fed tallow. Unhappy with the lack of genuinely good-for-you options in the market, the creators embarked on a journey to fill this void and gave birth to a chip that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also nourishes your well-being. Discover the story behind this innovative snack and delve into the delectable world of MASA tortilla chips.

Red and white striped bags of MASA tortilla chips on beach.
Image source: MASAChips.com.

Q. What is your passion? Tell us about it.

A. Our passion is in recreating everyone's favorite snacks so they're healthy by default. The center aisles of our grocery stores are filled with packaged foods that might taste good, but they have a terrible influence on everyone's health and wellbeing. Most people think that good tasting food and health food are two separate things, but that's not actually true; when you make food with real, natural ingredients and traditional cooking methods, you get the best of both. So instead of having to choose between one or the other, when we have our way, everyone will be able to get both health and taste without having to think too hard about it.


Q. What inspired you to pursue this passion? Tell us the story.

A. The inspiration behind our seed-oil-free tortilla chip company began with our founder Steven (aka @reallytanman), who has garnered recognition in the health space for his commitment to a seed-oil-free way of life. After solving his numerous health issues through diet and lifestyle changes, he began talking about the importance of healthy, real food online. However, teaching people about good food isn't enough, since good food is often hard to make and even harder to find. So when his friend (now co-founder) challenged him to make a tortilla chip that was both healthy and convenient, he rose to the challenge and created MASA.


Q. What makes your creation unique?

A. Our creation is unique due to being one of the only seed-oil free chips on the market.


Q. Tell us about your creative process.

A. Our creative process is very straightforward. We wanted a chip that makes you healthier but also looks good, hence the pretty packing. They are fried in grass fed beef tallow and goes through a process of nixtamalization to keep nutrients bioavailable.


Q. Who is your audience? How do you engage them?

A. Our audience are people who don't compromise in their lives. They don't want to choose between health and taste; they want both. These are often people who understand the dangers of most processed food, but don't want to give up their favorite crunchy salty snacks entirely. They want it all, and MASA delivers that Inspired by the nostalgia of carefree summer days, our striped bag packaging serves not only as a vessel for our delicious chips but also as a reminder that healthy snacking can be enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing. We share vibrant and captivating content that showcases our snacks and emphasizes the importance of making informed and wholesome food choices. Our packaging makes MASA chips a delightful companion at all times, whether it's a picnic, a beach outing, or simply enjoying a moment of self-care.


Q. What experience does your passion create? What can recipients expect?

A. Simply, when you eat MASA, you experience culinary perfection in a bag. Each of our three ingredients has a purpose, and there is nothing unnecessary. Just what is needed to create the perfect tortilla chip-- crunchy, salty, and leaves you feeling great after. This experience goes beyond chips, and encourages our customers to approach life itself always seeking the absolute best, and not compromising their standards.


Red and white striped bag of MASA tortilla chips on beach.
Image courtesy of Ancient Crunch.

Q. Where can your creations be found?

A. They can be found at Erewhon, Bristol Farms, and SunLife Organics, in addition to over a hundred other specialty stores. However, most of our customers find us online, at masachips.com.


Q. What is next?

A. Ah, now that's a secret we'd love to share with you! Our team is hard at work, concocting some exciting new flavors :)


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