Crackers have been at the forefront of food consumption for over 200 years. With so many varieties it can often be challenging for to figure out which option is right for you. The most important thing is to start with what type of eating experience you're after. From the casual snacker to party dippers, here are 4 steps to help you buy the best crackers every time.

Step 1: Select Your Size: When choosing the right cracker, size matters. Think about your crackers as a vehicle. If you're purchasing crackers for an appetizer party with the intention of serving them with a dip or spread you should consider a bite sized cracker because it will be less messy and more sanitary (less double dipping.) If you're looking to add a crunch to your soup taking larger sized crackers and breaking them up might be a good solution because you will experience more textual nuances than if you just used a traditional oyster variety. Bigger sized crackers can be ideal for situations when more crumbs are an added value. For example, a larger cracker is excellent for dunk into a hot cup of coffee or glass of milk because all those extra crumbs create a delicious final sip.

Step 2: Select Your Packaging: Not all crackers are packaged to perfection. For anyone who lives in a humid climate, you know that they can easily get stall which leads to waste. The best option is to select crackers that are containing in snack size bags or portion-controlled packages that seal in freshness. Many cracker companies now offer individual packages inside of a larger tray of crackers that can help ensure each bit is crunchy from start to finish.

Step 3: Select Your Flavor: Crackers range from sweet to savory in flavor. Original varieties typically have no added flavor but are lightly salted and the right choice for eating with other elements such as button, cheese, spreads or dips. Over the past 20 years companies have been adding more flavored options for consumers who enjoy eating them as a snack. Popular flavors include cheese, coconut, butter and even fun new flavors like coffee, furikake, sesame and sweet chili. The most important thing is to consider how the flavor of your selection will impact what you are eating or drinking. Sweet varieties can add a lot of creaminess to your mouth while savory varieties are typically saltier and more robust in flavor.

Step 4: Select Your Texture: Crackers can take on many different textures ranging from crumbly to crunchy. Many people enjoy nibbling on crackers that are softer, melt in your mouth and require less chewing. Typically softer options are not the ideal choice for dipping or adding to soups because they don't hold their shape and break easily. Thinker cruncher varieties are available that are able to standup to heat and maintain more texture and flavor while eating with other elements. If you can hear the crunch when you eat your cracker, you're on the right track!