5 Interesting Facts About Cheetos You Probably Didn't Know
Image source: Cheetos / Frito-Lay (official site) – cheetos.com/product-category/crunchy
Cheetos are one of the most recognizable American snacks in the world, but few know the full story behind the orange powder that leaves our fingers dusted. Here are five interesting facts.
1. They were created by accident, while making dog food
Charles Elmer Doolin, the creator of Fritos, experimented in 1948 with a cornmeal extrusion machine originally intended for making dog food. From these experiments came the recipe for the crunchy, cheese-flavored corn snack – Cheetos.
2. The name comes from a blend of "cheese" and "Fritos"
Although Frito-Lay has never officially confirmed it, many brand historians believe that the name "Chee-tos" (the original spelling until 1998) comes from a combination of the words "cheese" and "Fritos" – since the product shared part of its recipe with the original Fritos chips.
3. Chester Cheetah is the only known "spokes-cheetah" in the world
The Cheetos mascot, a cheetah named Chester Cheetah, is said by the brand to be "the only spokes-cheetah of anything" – meaning no other major brand uses a cheetah as its official representative. Chester has appeared in commercials since the late 1980s.
4. The science behind orange fingers ("cheetle")
The layer of orange powder that remains on your fingers after eating even has an official name – Cheetos calls it "cheetle". It’s a mixture of cheese powder, oil, and spices that sticks to the skin due to the fat content – which is why it’s much easier to wipe off with a wet wipe than a dry one.
Image source: Cheetos / Frito-Lay (official site) – cheetos.com/products/cheetos-crunchy-cheese-flavored-snacks
5. The story of the invention of Flamin' Hot flavour is disputed
For a long time, it was said that Flamin' Hot Cheetos were invented by Richard Montañez, a janitor at the Frito-Lay factory, who pitched the recipe to management himself. This story became a Hollywood film, but an internal investigation by Frito-Lay in 2021 (reported by the Los Angeles Times) found no evidence that Montañez was involved in the actual product development – according to the company, the flavour was developed by an internal team of scientists in the late 1980s. It’s interesting how the popular version of the story has outshone the official one.
Image source: Cheetos / Frito-Lay (official site) – cheetos.com/products/cheetos-crunchy-flamin-hot
Where to buy Cheetos in Europe
Look for the original Cheetos variants in the Cheetos collection at OhMyCandyBox, with fast delivery across Europe.
Image source: OhMyCandyBox – ohmycandybox.hr/products/cheetos-crunchy-75g
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented Cheetos?
Charles Elmer Doolin, the creator of Fritos, in 1948 in Texas.
Why is the powder called "cheetle"?
It’s the official name that Cheetos uses for the orange cheese powder that remains on your fingers after eating.
Is it true that a janitor invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos?
This popular story about Richard Montañez was disputed by an internal investigation by Frito-Lay in 2021, which states that the flavour was developed by an internal team.
