Munchos facts for kids
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| Owner | PepsiCo |
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| Introduced | 1969 |
Munchos are a popular snack food that are like potato chips. They are made by Frito-Lay from dried potatoes.
Munchos are similar to other snacks like Lay's Stax and Pringles, which are also made from dried potatoes. People often say Munchos have a "light and airy taste." They are also known for being a bit saltier than Lay's chips. Munchos are also kosher, which means they follow special food rules.
The Story of Munchos
When Munchos first came out, they were described as a "potato snack" that was thicker than regular potato chips. Today, Munchos are actually thinner than most potato chips. They can even be a little see-through and have small air pockets. Their slightly curved shape and rough surface make them good for dipping into sauces.
Munchos are made from dried potatoes, corn oil, corn meal, potato starch, and salt. They also contain some vitamins like niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin, along with yeast.
In 1969, a large bag of Munchos cost about 59 cents. By 2022, that same size bag sold for around $2.29 to $3.29. A smaller bag cost about $1.49. Munchos first appeared a few months after Pringles. Both snacks were called "potato crisps" because of a legal case that stopped Pringles from calling their product "potato chips." Lay's Stax is another similar snack that also calls itself "potato crisps."
Munchos in Commercials
In 1969, Munchos had a fun advertising campaign. The commercials used the phrase, "It's MUNCHOS!" spoken in a high-pitched voice. These ads were created by the famous puppeteer Jim Henson.
The commercials featured a character named "Fred," played by Jim Henson. Fred would talk about the Munchos. There was also a monster character named "Arnold." Jim Henson played Arnold in one commercial, and Frank Oz played him in later ones. Arnold the monster loved Munchos very much. Interestingly, the puppet used for Arnold later became the well-known character Cookie Monster on the TV show Sesame Street. The puppet for Fred later appeared as Zelda Rose on The Muppet Show.
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