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Changing demographics influencing taste buds
The American landscape is changing at the turn of the century just as it did in the 1890s. This is good news.
From queso fresco to chorizo, traditional Hispanic foods — or even just the flavors of them — are making their way into our everyday diet, particularly among the millennials — those born between the early '80s and the turn of the century. Generation Y's Hispanic community was born into an American culture but still holds onto its traditions, often eating white rice and seamlessly switching between English and Spanish.
"They are looking for products that are not necessarily big brands anymore," says Michael Bellas, chairman of the Beverage Marketing Corporation. "They like brands that have character. They are looking for authenticity and purity, but they are also looking for new experiences."
For example, popular among the millennials and other generations on the West Coast is the Mexican soda Jarritos, which boasts real fruit flavors ranging from mango to guava. The company's site showcases a collage of photos taken by Generation Y soda drinkers. Brightly colored sodas pop through their clear vintage-looking bottles. And the bottle caps share a simple message: "Que buenos son," or "They're so good."
The American landscape is changing at the turn of the century just as it did in the 1890s. This is good news.