Posted on 10/18/2013 1:23:25 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Tortillas and salsa are now outselling popular American foods like burger and hot dog buns, and ketchup.
Experts say that as the Hispanic population in the U.S. grows, the consumption of Latin American foods, and Mexican foods in particular, continues to increase as well. This is similar to the way that Italian food became integrated into U.S. culture.
“When you think about pizza and spaghetti, it's the same thing,” said Jim Kabbani, CEO of the Tortilla Industry Association. “People consider them American, not ethnic. It's the same with tortillas.”
According to consumer research firm Packaged Facts, Latin American foods and beverages were an $8 billion market in the U.S. last year, and that number could reach $11 billion by 2017. Retail tracking service InfoScan Reviews reported that tortilla chip sales increased at a faster rate (3.7 percent) in supermarkets than potato chips (2.2 percent) this year.
Research suggests that individuals born between the 1980s and the year 2000 have embraced the culinary shift.
“They are looking for products that are not necessarily big brands anymore,” said Michael Bellas, chairman of the Beverage Marketing Corporation. “They like brands that have character. They are looking for authenticity and purity, but they are also looking for new experiences.”
Food from south of the border is considered healthier than some traditional U.S. foods. “When it comes to health, the Mexican cuisines cater better to that with salsas and vegetables,” said Alexandra Aguirre Rodriguez, an assistant professor of marketing at Florida International University.
This family, too. I bought a case of tortilla shells when the store had them for 30 cents a box!
About the only things I use ketchup in is meatloaf, bbq sauce and spread on one slice of cheap white bread in a weiner sandwich (mayo on the other slice of bread).
I just like saying salsa.
I think I'll try Paul Newman's Pineapple Salsa on my burgers. Pineapple is my favorite because it's sweet, low in sodium, low calorie, and will probably taste even better than ketchup on burgers. Great idea - thanks!!
Me too. If you prepare it right, it's a lot healthier, as well.
“enriched,”
Do you even know what that word means?
Colorado 5280 Brand salsa. The best! Amazing flavor, not just tomatoes and spices.
I have some leftover enchiladas I was going to heat up for dinner but that burger tells me otherwise.
Ketchup started as fish sauce, but only belongs on meatloaf.
The Owl Bar, San Antonito NM. I’d have died many times over if I hadn’t stopped there between Albuquerque and White Sands.
Gaaack! You need to visit New Mexico, every little hole in the wall restaurant has their own bottled up and ready to go.
What is this salsa of which they speak?
I’m flying to Tucson in December to see friends and eat Mexican food. Tucson has the best in the country. I love El Torero. I won’t eat at Mi Nidito because Clinton ate there and they served him. Casa Molino is also good.
Behind bacon, Salsa is like the next most important food group.
Combine the two, and immortality is yours.
True story.
I guess that means we’ll be posting to each other in 2579 AD.
I just like the flavor and consistency the few times I’ve tried it. But I don’t eat a lot of salsa so what do I know?
I’d ping her if I could..
But like a hundred years ago my exwife and me used
to spend vacations camping at Brazos Bend and invented
Extreme Bacon Fajitas drowned in Salsa.
Good times.. and we’re all still alive.
So there you go.
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