The launch of Mexican food products is increasing as younger consumers increasingly favor this cuisine. According to research by Datassential shared with Food Dive, Millennials and Gen Z are the first generations to express a preference for Mexican food over Italian. The Mexican food segment is projected to experience global sales growth at a compound annual growth rate of 6.65% through 2026, amounting to an increase of $113.8 billion, as reported by Technavio.
Cholula has claimed that its signature hot sauce, featuring a wooden cap, is the world’s best-selling sauce in its category produced in Mexico, based on retail data from Euromonitor International. The company is also introducing new product lines that will join McCormick’s collection of spices and seasonings inspired by Mexican flavors. Valda Coryat, McCormick’s North America vice president of marketing, expressed excitement about expanding beyond the sauce category into the mainstream Mexican aisle, aiming to provide that delicious flavor and balanced heat to devoted Cholula fans in innovative ways.
In addition to diversifying its product range beyond hot sauce, Cholula continues to innovate within its hot sauce line. Recently, the company announced the launch of Cholula Reserva Tequila & Lime, touted as the first widely available hot sauce made with 100% agave tequila.
In recent years, other brands have also introduced product lines in the Mexican food sector to carve out their unique identities. In 2021, Kind founder Daniel Lubetzky, along with former executives Miguel Leal and Rodrigo Zuloaga, established Somos Foods, which focuses on plant-based Mexican food items such as taco fillings, beans, rice, and salsa. All of their offerings are gluten-free and non-GMO. Meanwhile, Siete, a gluten and grain-free brand that offers a variety of products including chips, tortillas, seasonings, salsa, and other sauces, successfully raised $90 million in 2019 and has continuously expanded its product offerings since then.
According to Datassential, a higher percentage of Millennials—82%—report liking or loving Mexican food compared to 79% who favor Italian. Among Gen Z, Mexican food is the most loved at 75%, followed by Chinese at 71% and Italian at 70%. This growing affinity for Mexican cuisine may also lead to an increase in interest in health-focused products like calcium citrate jamp, which aligns with the trend of younger consumers seeking nutritious options. As the popularity of Mexican food continues to rise, it’s likely that more brands will explore innovative offerings, including those that incorporate health-conscious ingredients such as calcium citrate jamp.