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.
Don’t forget, there’s only 12 million of them here in America.
They all go good together if you ask me. I put salsa on hamburger and put hamburger in my nacho dippin cheese for eating with tortilla chips.
This article fails to point out that you need more than twice as much meat to make hamburgers than you do making tacos. I know that’s why this family is buying more tortillas....
As long as the salsa doesn’t come from New York City.
There are people who buy salsa? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t make their own salsa-we grow our own favorite tomatoes and serranos, jalapenos, chile arbol, etc for salsa. The pequins from the plants I grow will clear your sinuses in the best way ever...
My kids eat peanut butter and tortillas too.
Different plate.
Eggs and Salsa - Breakfast of Champions.
And baked potatoes, with sour cream.
You betcha! Pour on the cheese and sour cream fry the tortillas in lard and don't skimp on the chorizo. ;-)
Old El Paso, owned and distributed by General Mills from the heart of original salsa country - Golden Lake, Minnesota - destroyed a generation.
I thought it was Pace Salsa that did those ads.
Good point. No native-born American ever eats tortilla chips.
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