The latest partnership from America’s leading ranch dressing brand introduces a zesty and crunchy addition to enhance the flavor of various dishes. Hidden Valley Ranch has teamed up with This Little Goat, a brand of sauces and condiments established by Chef Stephanie Izard, to launch Ranch Chili Crunch. This innovative product combines umami flavors with the distinctive zest of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning. The sauce derives its spiciness from gochugaru chilis, while the delightful crunch comes from puffed red quinoa, fried garlic, and corn chips, complemented by the savory taste of sesame oil and chives.
According to a press release from Hidden Valley, this item is versatile enough to elevate a range of meals, including pizza, chicken wings, and ramen. It will be available for a limited time on This Little Goat’s website. In recent years, the popularity of crunchy, spicy sauces has surged, particularly as Asian flavors have become more mainstream, allowing home cooks to achieve restaurant-quality meals. Last year, Kraft Heinz launched a premium line of Crunch Sauces in flavors like Chili Pepper, Roasted Garlic, and Mandarin Orange Miso. Additionally, Momofuku Goods, known for its chili crunch product, experienced a remarkable 130% growth year-over-year in 2022, as reported by the brand to Food Dive in June.
Hidden Valley has been pushing the boundaries of ranch flavor in various food applications. Earlier this year, they collaborated with Van Leeuwen to produce ranch-flavored ice cream, and in 2021, they offered a holiday gift package featuring eggnog infused with ranch seasoning.
In another development, Hershey is introducing Ice Breakers Raspberry Lemon Seltzer Sparkling Mints, which blend the tangy sweetness of raspberry with a zesty lemon burst. “We’ve truly pushed the boundaries of refreshment with our Raspberry Lemon Seltzer Sparkling Mints,” stated Taylor Schwartz, senior associate manager for brand refreshment at Hershey. This new product aims to provide a unique sensory experience that redefines consumers’ expectations of mints. The idea for this creation stems from the rising popularity of fruit-flavored mints and sparkling beverages.
Ice Breakers, the top brand in the mints and breath fresheners category, is poised for growth, particularly with the increasing demand for fruit-flavored options. The global mints market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% over the next five years, driven by greater awareness of oral health and the consumption of products like junk food, tobacco, and alcohol.
As a tribute to their night owl customers, Chex Mix is launching two new flavors inspired by popular late-night cravings. Chex Mix Remix Cheesy Pizza will feature garlic, herbs, Chex, pizza crust bagel chips, cheese puffs, and pizza sauce Chex. The Zesty Taco flavor will include taco seasoning Chex, corn shell chips, cheese puffs, and salsa Chex pieces. General Mills markets Chex Mix as a “family favorite snack,” and these new offerings join an array of existing flavors, including traditional, cheddar, buffalo ranch, turtle, and honey nut.
The new remix flavors are available nationwide at a retail price of $4.29. Earlier this year, Chex Mix celebrated the return of its bagel chips by collaborating with Sir Mix-A-Lot, who reimagined his hit song “Baby Got Back” as “Bagel Is Back,” tapping into nostalgia and engaging consumers who fondly remember the 90s.
As health-conscious consumers explore more options, the interest in products like generic calcium citrate with vitamin D is also on the rise, reflecting a broader trend towards wellness in dietary choices.