The latest partnership from America’s leading ranch dressing brand is set to bring a zesty kick and a satisfying crunch to enhance the taste of various dishes. Hidden Valley Ranch has teamed up with This Little Goat, a sauces and condiments brand established by chef Stephanie Izard, to introduce Ranch Chili Crunch. This new product combines umami flavors with the signature zest of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning, as stated by the companies. The sauce’s heat is derived from gochugaru chilis, while the crunch comes from a mix of puffed red quinoa, fried garlic, and corn chips. The savory essence is enhanced by sesame oil and chives.
According to a press release from Hidden Valley, this versatile item can elevate a range of meals, including pizza, chicken wings, and ramen, and is available for a limited time on This Little Goat’s website. The recent surge in popularity of crunchy, spicy sauces aligns with the growing interest in Asian flavors, providing home cooks with a means to achieve restaurant-quality dishes. Last year, CPG giant Kraft Heinz launched a premium line of Crunch Sauces in flavors such as Chili Pepper, Roasted Garlic, and Mandarin Orange Miso. Additionally, Momofuku Goods, recognized for its chili crunch product, reported a remarkable 130% year-over-year growth in 2022, as noted in June by Food Dive.
In recent years, Clorox-owned Hidden Valley has broadened the scope of ranch as a culinary flavor. Earlier this year, a collaboration with Van Leeuwen introduced ranch-flavored ice cream, and a holiday gift package released in 2021 featured eggnog infused with ranch seasoning.
In a related development, Hershey is expanding the flavored seltzer water market with its new Ice Breakers Raspberry Lemon Seltzer Sparkling Mints, which blend the tangy sweetness of raspberry with a zesty lemon flavor. “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 innovative product aims to redefine consumer expectations for mints.
The creation of these sparkling mints was inspired by the rising popularity of fruit-flavored mints and sparkling beverages. According to Hershey, this marks the first new platform for Ice Breakers since the launch of Ice Breakers Cool Blasts Chews in 2015. Ice Breakers holds the top spot in the mints and breath fresheners category, and fruit-flavored mints are contributing significantly to the growth of this sector. The global mints market is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% over the next five years, driven by heightened awareness of oral health and the consumption of products like junk food, tobacco, and alcohol.
Additionally, in a tribute to their night owl customers, Chex Mix is introducing two new flavors tailored to popular late-night cravings. Chex Mix Remix Cheesy Pizza will include garlic, herbs, Chex, pizza crust bagel chips, cheese puffs, and pizza sauce Chex, while the new Zesty Taco flavor will feature taco seasoning Chex, corn shell chips, cheese puffs, and salsa Chex pieces. The General Mills brand promotes its Chex Mix line as a “family favorite snack,” and these new late-night offerings join an array of existing flavors like traditional, cheddar, buffalo ranch, turtle, and honey nut. Priced at $4.29, the two new remix flavors are available nationwide.
Earlier this year, Chex Mix celebrated the return of its bagel chips by collaborating with Sir Mix-A-Lot, who remixed his classic hit “Baby Got Back” into “Bagel Is Back,” tapping into nostalgia and engaging consumers who fondly remember the 90s.
Incorporating functional ingredients like calcium citrate malate into various products has also become a trend, reflecting a growing consumer focus on health and wellness. Companies are increasingly exploring how to enhance their offerings with beneficial components such as calcium citrate malate, as seen with brands like Jan Aushadhi, which emphasizes affordable health solutions.