Takis Vs. Flamin' Hot Cheetos: What's The Difference?
If you like a slow fiery burn on your palate, you're clearly no stranger to spicy snacks. When the craving for something blazing-hot strikes, there are plenty of options to quell your desire. Yet, as you stand there contemplating Takis versus Flamin' Hot Cheetos, it's nearly impossible to choose without knowing more about each snack's persona. But first, what exactly incites our passion for spicy snacks?
Spoon University reports that the burning sensation we get from eating fiery foods like Hot Cheetos stimulates the release of endorphins (natural opioids), which boosts our feelings of pleasure. Since both Takis and Flamin' Hot Cheetos deliver the red-hot goods, let's highlight their individual attributes. The Houston Press asserts that the ingredient list for both snacks is nearly identical, aside from the cheese, but there are some clear differences.
Flamin' Hot Cheetos were invented by Richard Montañez, then janitor at a Frito-Lay plant in California (via Newsweek). Seems a faulty machine at the factory churned out a batch of Cheetos devoid of their beloved cheese coating. Montañez brought the duds home, showered them with chili powder, and created the spicy snack. However, Takis were Invented in Mexico, and are intensely flavored, dense, and crunchy rolled corn tortilla chips with obvious notes of chile and lime (via Snack History).
The snacks are physically different, but what about the taste?
Spoon University points out that Flamin' Hot Cheetos are puffy and brimming with spicy cheese, while Takis are crunchier and deliver more up-front acidity. And because Takis are small fried rolled tortillas, they hold their crunch over time. Whereas Flamin' Hot Cheetos tend to melt on the palate, making their way into those little grooves in your molars (via Spoon University). Serious Eats adds that Takis have a distinct corn flavor (think Fritos), enlivened with tangy lime and spicy chile. Go Puff also notes that while Takis provide obvious spice and lime from the get-go, the heat from Flamin' Hot Cheetos builds over time, tickling your throat in the most enjoyable way. The Los Angeles Times agrees and states that Flamin' Hot Cheetos balance taste, texture, heat, and crunch, while Takis produce an immediate tangy sensation coupled with an equally pleasing level of heat.
If you're looking to enjoy either snack beyond noshing out of the bag, Spoon University shares some unique ways to incorporate Takis into weeknight meals, including spicy mac n' cheese, grilled cheese, and chicken wings. Foodbeast suggests integrating Flamin' Hot Cheetos all day long, from zesty scrambled eggs and omelets, to spicy ramen, pizza, chicken fingers, and burgers. It's clear you can't go wrong with either snack if it's the burn you're going for. But take note, that blood-red coating on your fingertips is hard to get off your keyboard.