More Americans Crave Mexican Food

Americans' taste buds are heating up, according to new research.

Mexican cuisine, along with Chinese and Italian, is becoming a part of mainstream culture.

The Department of Agriculture reported that Mexican food has increased in popularity, and Americans are now eating four times more of it than 20 years ago.

Not only has Mexican food had a major influence on America's meals, it has also had a tremendous effect on market sales. Salsa, a condiment once mainly used for tacos, outranked ketchup as the No. 1 condiment in the United States -- accumulating sales of more than $700 million a year.

Increased sales of Mexican food kits and flavorings prove that consumers enjoy the added spice and variety Mexican food brings to their traditional meals.

So why are Americans catching south of the border fever? Food experts say that Americans are acquiring more of an adventurous appetite. Mexican food, as well as other ethnic foods, caters to America's increased cravings for new flavors and ingredients.

Also, the rise of the Hispanic population -- with 35 million Hispanics in the United States, according to the 2000 census -- has increased the demand for ethnic foods.