Did You Know Cheetos are Made in Arkansas?
Arkansas is known for a lot of cool things and places but did you know that Cheetos one of America's favorite snacks is made right here in Arkansas?
The Frito-Lay company is based out of Plano. Texas but in 1997 they built a 140-ace plant in Jonesboro, in the delta region of the state, according to Fun in Arkansas.
The Arkansas plant is one of only four plants in the United States that also make potato chips and corn chips. I was born and raised in Arkansas but that is the first time I ever heard about Cheetos made in Arkansas. And do you ever wonder when you start to eat Cheetos you just keep craving more? That's because they are made to be addictive and actually trick your brain into believing you are not consuming calories.
There is a science that goes into the texture of each Cheeto that when they melt in your mouth it sends a signal to your brain that basically fools it just as the makers of Coca-Cola, Oreos, and even some of the food you eat at McDonald's. Do you ever wonder why you crave buying a bag of Cheetos? Now you know why.
How Cheetos are Made
Cheetos are made with 12 different ingredients and MSG, enriched cornmeal is the main ingredient along with a secret cheese powder that is mixed with oil and other seasonings that give them that iconic powdery residue.
Cheetos are heated and fried and then sprayed with cheese flavoring to give them their trademark taste and look. Not bad from a snack that has been around since the 1940s.
And what's better than licking all that cheesy powder off your fingers?
The Mascot
Oh, and something else you may not know the Cheetos mascot Chester was brought to life by the same artist that developed the Pink Panther. How's that for some Cheetos trivia?
Besides having a plant in Arkansas Cheetos are produced in 22 other countries as well and thanks to Cheeto lovers all over the globe there are now 50 different flavors to choose from depending on where you live. Perhaps the strangest flavor is the fizzy Pepsi available only in Japan. It's probably only a matter of time before Pepsi which is known for coming up with different flavors comes up with a Cheetos-flavored Pepsi.
If that happens, I'm out. But then again, I didn't think I would like the limited-edition Pepsi Peeps in stores now.
Check out this video from their Indiana plant.