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| Consumer Trends |
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| Mexican Flavors? Si, Si. |
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The zing of Mexican-inspired flavors turned up in many consumer food and beverage categories during 2004's second quarter. Like kernels popping out of hot oil, these products traveled in all directions—from Israel to Canada, New Zealand to the Czech Republic.
During that period, among packaged food and beverage products in Mintels' database which featured Mexican flavor, almost one third were meals and main dishes, or processed fish, meat or eggs. There were chili beef burgers in the UK, Mexican meatballs in Denmark, and microwaveable chicken snacks (chilled products) in Spain. Chipotle flavored tuna salad (shelf stable) swam into the German market, courtesy of Saupiquet, and sweet corn and salsa kicked up the flavor of a pasta bowl from Marks & Spencer in the UK.
In Norway, Old El Paso gathered up a Mexican kit featuring “tostada” shells, seasoning mix, and a mild salsa to create a Mexican-style salad in a crispy taco shell. A Mexican style corn noodle casserole greeted U.S. consumers of frozen foods.
Dessert Pepper Trading Company tempted U.S. lovers of Mexican food with its Mexican Dessert Kit, featuring caramel and Mexican chocolate sauve, Mexican candy sprinkles, and cookies—awaiting only the ice cream. In “bakery,” the U.S. served up Guerrero Corn Gorditas. A gordita is a fat circle of tortilla dough. Across the globe in India, Rosarita's taco shells boasted tortillas of stone-ground corn with authentic Mexican flavor.
In Indonesia, they microwaved Campbell's chili flavored soup in a container meant to be carried on-the-go, while New Zealanders microwaved Uncle Ben's Mexican style rice as a side dish. Old El Paso ventured into Vietnam's sauce market with“Thick 'n Chunky Salsa.” Heinz tempted the Swiss with spicy Mexican and guacamole wrap and dip mixes.
In a real twist, raspberry and chipotle teamed in a salsa (table sauce) from Mrs. Renfro's for U.S. consumers, and in a cooking sauce from Brickstone Fine Foods in Canada and the U.S.
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