From salty to sweet, there’s one thing Americans can agree on, we love snacks. But what if we told you that some of your favorite snacks are really knockoffs or don’t taste like what you think they taste like? Well, many of our favorite snacks have secrets! Here are 6 snacks that have a lot to unwrap.
1. Ruffles
Did you know that the ruffles were made to make the potato chip sturdier? This is why ridges are best for dipping! Recently the popular chip brand collaborated with KFC to make fried chicken flavored chips. Unfortunately, they are only available in Canada.
2. Doritos
One of Americans favorite chips, Doritos were created by chance in the 1960s. The popular creation story involves the staff at Disneyland’s Casa de Fritos repurposing stale tortillas to reduce food waste. They then added seasoning inspired by the Mexican snack totopo. The chips became so popular that Frito-Lay bought the rights to them.
Did you know the word “Doritos” is derived from the Spanish word dorado, which means “golden” or “little bits of gold”? The cheese recipe is top secret but it’s a mix of romano, parmesan, and cheddar cheese.
3. Chex Mix
Chex cereal was introduced in 1942 by the Ralston Purina Company. By the 1950s, the recipe for the Party Mix started appearing on the back of the cereal boxes. Allegedly, the Chex Mix originated in St. Louis around 1954 from the son of one of the founders. The original version however didn’t include bagel chips since the snack hadn’t been invented yet!
4. Pringles
Pringles were first marketed as “Newfangled Potato Chips,” but the name was later changed. Pringles were created to be a less greasy and perfectly crisp alternative to the potato chip. Scientists worked very hard to create the perfect shape of Pringles that were delivered to the customer intact, hence the cylinder can. Fredric Baur Pringle’s creator requested that his children bury part of his cremated remains in a Pringles can. His kids initially laughed it off, but on the way to his funeral, they stopped at a Walgreens to get an original can of Pringles.
5. Skittles
Did you know that some people believe that all Skittles taste the same? The theory is that the different colors trick our brain into thinking they are different, but they aren’t. Others say that the outer shells hold the various flavors, but the inside all are the same. Some people contest that they all have a different smell. The jury is still out, but there have been several blind taste tests. Most of the results are inconclusive, but former workers have come out and said that every flavor is the same.
6. Oreos
Oreos were modeled to compete with a cookie named Hydrox. A creation of Kansas City’s Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company, Hydrox was known as the “aristocrat of cookies,” with a first-of-its-kind combo of chocolate and cream filling. Nabisco quickly dominated the market with its creation of Oreos. Today, Oreos are king but you can still find Hydrox on the market. Each Oreo cookie has the perfect ratio of 71% cookie and 29% cream.
Weird But True Facts
While some of these facts may have your head spinning, we’re sure it won’t deter you from enjoying your favorite snacks. Snacks are a staple in our diet, making up 20% of our energy consumption. Most of us indulge in at least one to three snacks per day. So what are your favorite snacks and the weirdest snack secret you’ve heard?