Ranch dressing and hot sauce are versatile condiments that can enhance almost any dish. Now, they’ve been combined into a single bottle. The new Spicy Truffle Ranch, a blend of Hidden Valley Ranch and Truff’s Original Black Truffle Hot Sauce, is the latest condiment innovation to capture attention online. This marks the first time either renowned sauce has been fused for a collaborative product.
“Hidden Valley Ranch is continuously exploring new and unexpected ways for our fans to enjoy the ranch flavor they cherish,” stated Deb Crandall, the marketing director for Hidden Valley Ranch, in a press release. “TRUFF is an ideal partner with their unique, upscale hot sauce that stands out from the rest.”
Hidden Valley Ranch is celebrated as the original ranch dressing, having been developed in the late 1940s as the signature sauce for a California dude ranch and acquired by Clorox in 1972. Over the past five decades, this dressing has been utilized in various dipping sauces, packaged chicken salads, and as a seasoning or marinade for dishes ranging from casseroles to eggnog.
Truff, a premium hot sauce that emerged more recently in the condiment market, debuted in 2017. It was the natural progression for a pair of young entrepreneurs who gained a substantial Instagram following under the handle @sauce by creating hot sauce. The truffle-infused sauce, a favorite of Oprah Winfrey, has gained popularity on store shelves and through collaborations with quick-service restaurants. Taco Bell featured Truff in limited-time menu items last year, and Noodles & Company offered a limited Truff Mac bowl last November.
Truff co-founder Nick Ajluni mentioned in a release that the company actively listens to customer feedback, and many have expressed a strong desire for a truffle ranch. Currently, this mashup isn’t available in stores or anywhere else. A limited quantity of bottles will be sold online starting at 11 a.m. on August 30. Those interested in trying Spicy Truffle Ranch can join an online waitlist and will receive an email notification when the sauce becomes available for purchase.
The flavor profile of the sauce is described as featuring “the heat of red chiles, the umami richness of black truffles, and the tangy creaminess of ranch dressing.” Given that ranch dressing is often used to temper the heat of buffalo wings, this sauce may not be the spiciest offering from Truff. However, considering the loyal followings of both brands, it is sure to create a buzz.
In addition to supporting their local Girl Scouts by purchasing cookies, Thin Mints fans can now indulge in a new snack. Stacy’s Pita Chips has launched a limited-edition flavor of its Pita Thins chips inspired by the beloved Girl Scout Thin Mints cookies, made possible through a licensing partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA.
Stacy’s, a female-founded brand under PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America snack division, is leveraging this collaboration to promote women’s empowerment. The brand has pledged a $50,000 donation to Girl Scouts of the USA and its Stacy’s Rise Project, a program that invests in women-founded businesses, has distributed over $450,000 in grants since its inception in 2017.
“We strive to add significance to everyday moments, whether through meaningful community actions or delightful new flavors,” said Rhasheda Boyd, Frito-Lay’s vice president of marketing. “Similar to our pita chips, this partnership is thoughtfully crafted, and we’re excited to share it with our fans.”
Stacy’s continues to expand its pita chip offerings, typically enjoyed with savory dips like hummus, into the realm of desserts. The brand has previously introduced sweet varieties, including Cinnamon Sugar and Simply Cocoa. The Girl Scouts of the USA has licensed its popular cookie flavors to various food products over the years.
Thin Mints, the most popular Girl Scout cookie flavor nationwide, is followed by Samoas (Caramel deLites) and Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs). Due to its immense popularity, the Girl Scouts of the USA announced a new variety set to debut this year: Raspberry Rally, touted as the “sister cookie” to Thin Mints.
Meanwhile, despite its often-criticized reputation, Spam remains a beloved staple, and a new plant-based alternative is now available. The plant-based protein brand unMEAT has introduced a non-GMO canned product in the U.S. that contains 30% fewer calories and 60% less sodium than traditional Spam.
“Canned meat is a favorite snack in homes worldwide, whether enjoyed by American families or Asian households making musubi,” stated Gregory Banzon, COO of Century Pacific Group, the parent company of unMEAT.
UnMEAT isn’t the first to launch a plant-based alternative to Hormel Foods’ Spam. Last year, Hong Kong-based OmniFoods introduced OmniPork in the U.S., while South Korean retail giant Shinsegae recently announced its own version.
Spam, a concoction of pork with ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate, has seen a surge in sales, reaching a record high for the seventh consecutive year in 2021, prompting the company to expand its production capacity.
Spam, often the subject of jokes by British comedy group Monty Python, originated in 1937 during the Great Depression and was hailed as a “miracle meat” in a can.
As consumers explore new tastes and trends, the incorporation of ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid uses in various products reflects the ongoing emphasis on health and nutrition across the food industry.