The History of Tortilla Chips in the U.S.
For many decades, tortilla chips have been of the favorite snacks in the United States. Nearly every grocery store and restaurant has these snacks on hand at all times. Increased production of regular and flavored varieties of tortilla chips have been the result of their ever-increasing popularity. Tortilla chips, which are often paired with salsa, have become the popular dipping chip of choice.
Tortilla chips come from Mexico, where they were originally made from tortillas, though their use was not widespread at first. This delicious snack originally made its debut in U.S. restaurants and kitchens in the southwest region during the early 1900s. However, tortilla chips first become popular in the U.S. because of a creative restaurant owner living in L.A. In the late 1940s, Rebecca Webb Carranza decided to use the misshapen tortillas from her tortilla factory to create crunchy chips. After being fried, the chips were bagged and sold for ten cents in her Mexican delicatessen in L.A. The snack became so popular that they were mass-produced and sold all over the state within a few years. By the time the 70s rolled around, tortilla chips had become popular all over the country. Tortilla chips maintained their beloved status, and in 1994 Carranza was the recipient of a Golden Tortilla award for her innovation in the Mexican food industry.
Tortilla chips eventually surpassed corn chips, the previous favorite snack chip, for the highest sales in the United States. Today, these chips are often paired with salsa and have become a staple for dipping dishes. Two other popular dipping options, guacamole and chili con queso, have retained the Mexican flavors that were first associated with tortilla chips. However, it has become more and more popular to pair tortilla chips with other dips like spinach-artichoke dip and hummus.
The widespread use of tortilla chips has also made it possible for different brands of the snack to expand their product line. Tortilla chips are now available in many different delicious varieties of flavored tortilla chips, whether its yellow corn, multi-grain, tomato cilantro or barbecue. In addition to being a delicious snack all on their own, these flavored varieties can also be used to compliment particular dips or foods. Colored chips in red, blue and black varieties are also popular with tortilla chip fans. These tortilla chips add a dash of color to your dishes for family and friends, though the only difference is in the color of corn used to make them, not in the taste.