# Ultra-Fiery Tortilla Chips Taco Bell's Reaper Ranch Tortilla Chips are Its Hottest Snack Yet By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2019-09-24 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reaper-ranch-tortilla-chips References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taco-bell-launches-its-spiciest-chip-yet--cue-reaper-ranch-tortilla-chips-300923500.html) & [tacobell](https://www.tacobell.com/) Knowing that many of its customers crave the heat and love to challenge themselves to eat the spiciest foods they can find, [Taco Bell](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hidden-valley-diablo-ranch) is now introducing the Reaper Ranch Tortilla Chips, which are the hottest of its snack chips to date. This new flavor joins the Classic, Mild, Fire and Diablo tortilla chips and puts a snackable spin on dishes like the Reaper Ranch Taco Bell Nacho Fries. With its new Reaper Ranch Tortilla Chips, Taco Bell warns that this new snack "may look like traditional chips but, be warned, they are packed with more heat than meets the eye." The experience of eating these tortilla chips is said to provide a wash of cool ranch flavors before the heat of the intensely spicy Carolina reaper pepper sets in. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Spicy Snack Chips:** Opportunity for snack companies to develop and market extremely spicy chip flavors to cater to consumers who enjoy a fiery taste. - **Flavor Innovation:** Opportunity for food companies to create unique and bold flavor combinations, such as mixing cool ranch and intensely spicy Carolina reaper pepper. - **Challenging Food Experiences:** Opportunity for restaurants and food brands to create food items that provide a challenge or unique experience, appealing to adventurous eaters. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Snack Food:** Snack food companies can capitalize on the demand for spicy snacks by creating and marketing exceptionally hot chip flavors. - **Food and Beverage:** The food industry can explore opportunities for flavor experimentation, combining contrasting tastes like cool ranch and extreme spiciness. - **Restaurant:** Restaurants can attract customers seeking adventurous and unique culinary experiences by offering challenging or exceptionally spicy food items. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Extra-Spicy QSR Tacos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carolina-reaper-tacos.md) - [Spicy Ranch Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hidden-valley-diablo-ranch.md) - [Spicy Snack Chip Burritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flamin-hot-grilled-cheese-burrito.md) - [Spicy Chip-Based Nachos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chorizo-nachos.md) - [Creamy Ghost Pepper Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pringles-ghost-pepper-ranch.md) - [Flavor Duality Snack Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doritos-flamin-hot-cool-ranch.md) - [Piquant Ranch QSR Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-ranch-fries-supreme.md) - [Ranch-Flavored Rolled Tortilla Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/takis-buckin-ranch.md) - [Creamy Spiced Steak-Topped Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-steak-white-hot-ranch-fries.md)