20 Surprising Facts About Your Favorite Junk Foods
Everyone loves a good cheat day snack, and the world of junk food is as wild as it is delicious. From potato chips with strange origins to candy that never quite made sense, each bite has a story that’s as unexpected as the flavors. Prepare yourself for some weird, surprising, and downright fun facts about the snacks you love to indulge in.
1. Cheetos Were Inspired by an Animal Feed
Cheetos weren’t invented as a snack but came from the same process used to make animal feed. The original cheese puffs were a happy accident when cornmeal was fed through the same machines, leading to the iconic crunchy orange snack. Lucky for us, someone thought, “Hey, these taste amazing.”
2. Popcorn Predates Movie Theaters by Thousands of Years
Popcorn isn’t just a movie snack—it’s ancient. Archaeologists discovered popcorn in Peru that’s over 6,000 years old, proving humans have been snacking on it way before the invention of cinema. Turns out it’s the original “pop culture” food.
3. The Secret to Doritos’ Flavor Is MSG
One of the reasons Doritos are so irresistible is monosodium glutamate, or MSG. This flavor enhancer triggers your brain’s pleasure centers, making it nearly impossible to eat just one. It’s science, not just snack magic.
4. Pringles Aren’t Actually Potato Chips
Despite looking like chips, Pringles don’t technically qualify as such—they’re actually potato crisps. Pringles are made from potato flakes and starch, which explains why they’re all the same shape and stack so perfectly.
Follow us for more of these articles.
5. M&M’s Were Invented for the Military
During World War II, M&M’s were created to give soldiers a treat that wouldn’t melt in the heat. The hard candy coating kept the chocolate from turning into goo, making it a snack suitable for war zones—and later, movie theaters.
6. Twinkies Were Originally Banana-Flavored
The original Twinkie had a banana-flavored filling until World War II caused a banana shortage. They switched to the iconic vanilla cream filling, and it stuck. Talk about a wartime innovation with lasting impact.
Follow us for more of these articles.
7. Cotton Candy Was Created by a Dentist
Believe it or not, cotton candy was co-invented by a dentist. Dr. William Morrison teamed up with a confectioner in 1897 to create the fluffy, sugary treat, which he called “fairy floss.” Maybe he was creating his own customer base?
8. The First Potato Chips Were a Revenge Recipe
Potato chips were reportedly created out of spite. In 1853, a chef named George Crum in Saratoga Springs, New York, made them after a customer kept complaining about the thickness of his fries. Crum sliced them paper-thin, fried them to a crisp, and the rest is history.
Follow us for more of these articles.
9. Ranch Dressing Contains Seaweed
If you love ranch, you may be surprised to learn that it contains seaweed extract, known as carrageenan. It’s used as a thickening agent, giving ranch that creamy texture we all love. Seaweed salad, anyone?
10. Kit Kats Are Made with Broken Kit Kats
Kit Kat bars contain crushed-up Kit Kats inside. The broken or imperfect bars are ground up and reused as filling in new bars, creating a cycle of delicious recycling.
Follow us for more of these articles.
11. The Original Oreo Had a Rival Called Hydrox
Before Oreos came along, there was Hydrox, a nearly identical cookie that actually hit the market first. However, Oreos became way more popular, leaving Hydrox as the lesser-known snack. Today, Hydrox has a cult following as the “original” sandwich cookie.
12. Ice Cream Sandwiches Were Originally Called “Hokey Pokeys”
When the ice cream sandwich was invented in the early 20th century, it was called the “hokey pokey” and sold for just a penny. The dessert’s name may have changed, but that sweet nostalgia still comes with every bite.
Follow us for more of these articles.
13. Popsicles Were Invented by an 11-Year-Old
Frank Epperson accidentally invented popsicles in 1905 after leaving a sugary soda mix outside overnight with a stick in it. When it froze, he discovered a new kind of frozen treat. The world has been thankful for accidental childhood creativity ever since.
14. Skittles Are Completely Flavorless on the Outside
Each Skittle color has its own scent and color, but not its own flavor on the outside. Our brains “taste” what we smell, which makes us think each Skittle is a different flavor. It’s a mind trick wrapped in a chewy candy shell.
Follow us for more of these articles.
15. The Holes in Swiss Cheese Serve a Real Purpose
Those holes, called “eyes,” are formed by gas bubbles from bacteria. The bacteria eat lactic acid and release carbon dioxide, causing those iconic holes. Swiss cheese without holes is actually called “blind cheese”—and is probably less fun.
16. Cool Ranch Doritos Weren’t Released Until 1986
Nacho Cheese Doritos came out in 1972, but Cool Ranch didn’t hit the scene until 1986. Now, Cool Ranch has a devoted fan base, but for years, people had no idea that ranch-flavored chips could even be a thing.
Follow us for more of these articles.
17. Marshmallows Were Once Medicine
Ancient Egyptians used marshmallow root to soothe sore throats and heal wounds. The marshmallows we know today have little medicinal value, but they sure are great in s’mores, so we’re not complaining.
18. The World’s Largest Chocolate Bar Weighed 12,770 Pounds
The Guinness World Record for the largest chocolate bar goes to a British company that crafted a bar weighing more than 12,000 pounds. That’s a lot of chocolate—and probably every sweet tooth’s ultimate dream.
Follow us for more of these articles.
19. Pepsi Once Made a “Clear” Soda Called Crystal Pepsi
In the early 1990s, Pepsi tried to make “healthy” soda by removing caramel coloring. The result was Crystal Pepsi, a clear cola that didn’t quite take off, but has since become a cult favorite for 90s nostalgia fans.
20. Hershey’s Chocolate Got Its Start by Accident
Milton Hershey was originally a caramel maker. But after a trip to the 1893 World’s Fair, he discovered chocolate-making equipment and decided to try his hand at chocolate. One candy-making accident later, and the iconic Hershey’s bar was born.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us!
