Doritos Cool Ranch flavored tortilla chips have been a fan favorite snack for decades. However, recently there has been chatter online that the recipe has changed, with many complaining that the chips don’t taste the same. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Doritos Cool Ranch, examine the evidence that the recipe has changed, and try to get to the bottom of the question: Did Doritos change the cool ranch recipe?
A Brief History of Doritos Cool Ranch
Doritos were first introduced in 1966 by Frito-Lay as one of the first national tortilla chip brands in the United States. The original nacho cheese flavor became wildly popular. In 1986, Frito-Lay debuted a new ranch flavored version called “Cooler Ranch” Doritos. The name was changed to “Cool Ranch” in the 1990s. When it first launched, Cool Ranch was considered a risk since ranch dressing was still relatively unfamiliar to consumers. However, the gamble paid off and Cool Ranch became one of the most beloved flavors. Its tangy, cool flavor profile perfectly complemented the nacho cheese variety. By the late 1990s, Cool Ranch made up around a third of all Doritos sales. It maintained its position as one of the top selling snack chips well into the 2000s.
When Did Consumers First Notice a Change?
In recent years, there has been growing sentiment online that the Doritos Cool Ranch recipe has changed. Reviewing social media posts and forum discussions, the first complaints seem to have emerged sometime around 2018. That year, several Reddit threads popped up with consumers complaining that Cool Ranch didn’t taste the same as it used to. Some chalked it up to just getting older and their tastes changing. However, the sentiment grew that something about the flavor and texture had objectively changed in the chips.
More chatter picked up steam in early 2020 when a YouTube vlogger named Kyle Scheele did a blind taste test between Cool Ranch Doritos from 2010 and a newly bought bag. He determined that the chips from a decade prior had a stronger seasoning flavor and more dusty texture on the outside. This brought new attention to the idea that Cool Ranch had recently been quietly reformulated by Frito-Lay.
Examining the Evidence of a Recipe Change
So what evidence is there, beyond people’s memories, that the Cool Ranch recipe changed? After the widespread complaints, various food science bloggers and news outlets did investigative work to try to verify if a change occurred:
Ingredient List Differences
Food bloggers compared the ingredients listing on old and new bags of Cool Ranch Doritos. The original seasoning ingredients were listed as maltodextrin, monosodium glutamate, malic acid, and artificial flavors. The new bags list maltodextrin, monosodium glutamate, citric acid, and onion powder as the seasoning blend. This change in ingredients seems to confirm that Frito-Lay quietly tweaked the recipe.
Chemical Analysis
A 2020 report by the Wall Street Journal had an independent lab analyze the chemical makeup of Cool Ranch chips from 2005 and 2020. They looked for the presence of certain flavor compounds. The results found a 17% decrease in lactic acid and 42% reduction of lauric acid from the original recipe. These chemical changes point to an alteration in the flavor profile.
Sensory Taste Testing
Perhaps the most convincing evidence comes from side-by-side taste tests. Various bloggers and news outlets held blind taste comparisons between original Cool Ranch Doritos and the current version. Most tasters noticed a distinct difference and preferred the older formulation. The most commonly cited differences were the new version having weaker seasoning flavor, less of the signature “cool” taste, and a softer, less crunchy tortilla chip texture.
Why Did Doritos Change the Recipe?
Assuming Frito-Lay did indeed secretly change their Cool Ranch Doritos recipe in the last few years, the big question is why? Here are some leading theories behind the motivation:
To Make Them Healthier
Reducing sodium content has been an industry-wide initiative as brands try to create marginally healthier junk food in response to consumer demand. Frito-Lay has pledged to make its products healthier, and cutting down on artificial flavors and chemicals could be part of this push. However, critics argue removing too much of the flavor risks damaging the popularity of the product.
To Cut Costs
Altering recipes to use cheaper ingredients is another tactic of food manufacturers. For example, switching from cane sugar to corn syrup is a common way brands lower costs. Frito-Lay may have modified the Cool Ranch recipe as a cost-saving measure. Using less seasoning powder could save millions in the long run. However, this motivation tends not to go over well with consumers.
To Standardize Flavor
Minor tweaks over decades of production can lead recipes to drift from their original form. Restructuring the ingredient balance provides more consistent flavor. Frito-Lay has always made their seasoning in-house, so these types of incremental changes may have happened gradually. Periodically reformulating may aim to realign with the prototypical taste.
| Theory | Evidence For | Evidence Against |
|---|---|---|
| Healthier Recipe | – Removed some artificial flavors – Potentially less sodium |
– Still not that healthy overall |
| Cost Cutting | – Cheaper ingredients substituted | – Risks hurting sales |
| Flavor Standardization | – Gradual ingredient drifting over decades | – Change seems more abrupt |
Was the Change an Improvement?
The consensus among most Cool Ranch enthusiasts seems to be that the reformulated recipe is a change for the worse. However, taste is subjective. Some benefits that have been noted of the modern version include:
– Enhanced onion and dairy notes
– Less artificial, metallic aftertaste
– Lower sodium content
It’s possible Frito-Lay’s food scientists tried to intentionally rebalance the flavor profile to better suit contemporary palates. The endorsement of professional tasters may indicate an improved formulation, even if longtime fans disagree.
How Have Sales Been Impacted?
It’s challenging to parse out if the recipe change itself has impacted Doritos sales. However, Cool Ranch continues to be one of the most popular flavors. According to Statista, as of 2020 Cool Ranch makes up around 31% of total Doritos sales. That puts it close to the original Nacho Cheese in popularity. This market data suggests that while some vocal fans on social media claim to boycott Cool Ranch, it remains beloved by many. The recipe tweaks seem not to have hurt its position as the second most popular Doritos variety.
Will Doritos Bring Back the Original Recipe?
With customer complaints continuing to pile up, many wonder if Frito-Lay will give in and return to their original Cool Ranch recipe. While they have not openly admitted to reformulating in the first place, the company did respond to press coverage of the controversy in 2020.
A Frito-Lay spokesperson stated:
_”We don’t have any plans to bring back any previous formulations. However, Frito-Lay Consumer Relations listens to all consumer feedback and evaluates if any changes should be made. Feedback like this is taken very seriously, and all information is aggregated for review to determine if there are opportunities to improve our products and processes.”_
This non-committal response gives little hope of them reverting to the vintage recipe. While longtime fans may still pine for the original Cool Ranch, Frito-Lay seems set on sticking with their current formulation. Nostalgia for the older version will likely continue spreading online. But outside of an organized protest, it’s unlikely we’ll see the old Doritos suddenly back on shelves. Consumers will have to vote with their wallets if they want Frito-Lay to reconsider.
Can You Still Find the Old Recipe?
For diehard lovers of the original Cool Ranch trying to get their fix, all hope is not lost. Here are a few ways you may be able to still find the old formulation:
– Search on resale sites for expired bags being sold as nostalgia items
– Check international grocery stores to buy Canadian or Mexican versions
– Look for old surplus inventory at discount stores or warehouses
– Monitor limited-run throwback campaigns – brands sometimes re-release classics
The limited supply and lack of freshness may be dealbreakers for most. But for those desperate for the true old flavor, tracking down original recipe Cool Ranch Doritos can offer relief until Frito-Lay comes to their senses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is compelling evidence that Frito-Lay stealthily changed their Cool Ranch Doritos recipe sometime around 2018. Chemical analysis, ingredient alterations, and blind taste tests all point to a moderately reformulated version that lacks some of the signature flavor notes that made the original so cravable.
This unannounced change outraged many longtime fans of the flavor who argue the new version is inferior. However, health concerns and cost savings likely motivated the adjustments. And for casual consumers, the modern Cool Ranch still satisfies as an addictively tangy and crunchy snack. The altered recipe hasn’t seemed to damage the variety’s popularity so far.
While we may never get definitive confirmation or tasting of the old formula again, the Cool Ranch controversy highlights just how passionate people are about their favorite junk foods. For better or worse, Frito-Lay shows no signs of reverting to the original recipe. But Doritos devotees will undoubtedly continue mourning the imperfectly balanced yet beloved tangy, cooling flavor only found in the vintage crunch of a true original Cool Ranch Dorito.