Opinion: Ranch dressing is a winner at the World Cup games
Ranch dressing has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States, recently surpassing ketchup as the nation's top-selling condiment. The article explores its origins from a 1949 invention by Steve Henson to its current status as a ubiquitous American flavor.
Why it matters
The popularity of ranch dressing reflects broader trends in American food culture and the globalization of domestic culinary preferences.
Soccer fans visiting the U.S. for World Cup matches seem to be delighted by American friendliness and dazzled by the way our highways roll from skyscrapers into wide-open spaces, abounding with monster trucks, big-box stores, "Big Gulp" drinks, central air conditioning, and ranch dressing.
This is a lighthearted cultural piece that relies on industry data and historical facts.
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