Ranch Dressing

Ranch Dressing is a thick, white, creamy dressing with a balanced, savory, slightly salty, and subtly tangy taste. It's made primarily from Buttermilk, seasoned with various herbs and spices. It's commonly enjoyed with salads, fried chicken, or as a dip for snacks. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the story of this popular dressing.

Alaskan Origins: Creativity Born from Boredom (1950 AD)

Ranch Dressing was invented in 1950 by Steven Henson, a plumbing contractor in Alaska. The story goes that one day, Steven was preparing a salad for his workers but grew tired of the usual salad flavors. He decided to create a new dressing recipe using buttermilk, mayonnaise, and herbs like parsley, chives, garlic, and various other spices.

Hidden Valley Ranch: From Farm to Dressing Legend (1954 AD)

In 1954, Steven decided to move to a new life with his wife in Santa Barbara County, California. He then invested in a large cattle ranch called Hidden Valley Ranch, opening it for tourists to visit.

After officially opening the ranch, Steven began serving his homemade dressing to guests. His dressing immediately gained popularity, and its fame spread rapidly. Many tourists traveled to his ranch specifically to taste the dressing, and many also requested to purchase it to take home.

Seeing the growing demand, Steven began selling dry mix packets of his dressing ingredients. Customers could purchase these packets by mail order for 75 cents each (approximately 0.47 Baht at the time), then mix them with buttermilk at home. This method allowed them to reach a broader market, as dry seasoning mixes were easier to distribute and had a much longer shelf life than pre-mixed dressings.

However, as time went on, people desired more convenience. Consequently, Steven founded Hidden Valley Ranch Food Products, Inc. to commercially produce pre-made Ranch Dressing, selling it under the name Ranch Dressing, named after his farm.

Under Clorox and Nationwide Popularity (1972 - 1980s)

In 1972, Steven sold his company to Clorox, a company specializing in the production and distribution of consumer goods in the United States, for $8 million (approximately 293,924,000 Baht at current exchange rates). Under Clorox's stewardship, Ranch Dressing continued to enjoy immense popularity. Furthermore, the company developed the recipe to extend its shelf life without compromising its taste.

By the 1980s, Ranch Dressing had gained nationwide popularity. It was no longer just used as a salad dressing; people began using it as a dip for vegetables, fried chicken, pizza, and French fries. The first company to pair Ranch Dressing with chips was Doritos, the American flavored tortilla chip brand.

America's No. 1 Dressing and a Cultural Icon (1983 - Present)

In 1983, Ranch Dressing's popularity surged, surpassing Italian dressing to become the best-selling dressing in the United States. Additionally, the recipe was diversified, with options including low-fat and organic versions, as well as new flavors infused with bacon, chipotle, and avocado.

Today, Ranch Dressing has become an integral part of American culture, often featured in cookbooks and television shows. This widespread exposure has also contributed to Ranch Dressing's global popularity.