Who Invented Takis? The Complete History of Takis Crisps
If you have ever searched "who invented Takis" or "where do Takis come from," you are not alone. Takis are one of the most searched-for snacks on the internet, and their story is more interesting than most people expect. From a Mexican factory floor to UK supermarket shelves, here is the complete history of how Takis became one of the world's most popular spicy snacks.
The inventor is widely credited as Morgan Sanchez, although very little public information exists about Sanchez or the exact development process. What is known is that Barcel designed the snack to fill a gap in the Mexican market for an intensely flavoured, rolled tortilla chip. The shape was inspired by the taquito — a small, tightly rolled tortilla — and each chip was coated in bold, spicy seasoning.
The original flavour was Fuego (Spanish for "fire"), a combination of hot chilli pepper and lime that remains the best-selling Takis variety to this day.
The brand expanded into Canada in 2015 and has since launched across Europe, including a dedicated UK operation through Grupo Bimbo UK Ltd, based in Mexborough, South Yorkshire.
Social media amplified this further. Takis became a staple of spicy food challenge videos, unboxing content, and ASMR eating clips. The bold purple Fuego packaging is instantly recognisable on screen, and the brand has leaned into this with campaigns targeting younger audiences. If you are interested in how TikTok drives snack trends in the UK, our guide to viral candy trends covers this in detail.
Nitro — Habanero and lime. Hotter than Fuego with a deeper chilli flavour.
Zombie — Habanero and cucumber. A seasonal Halloween release that keeps coming back due to demand.
Xplosion — Spicy nacho cheese. Combines heat with a cheesy base.
Angry Burger — Spicy hamburger and dill pickle. One of the more unusual offerings.
Takis Stix — Stick-shaped rather than rolled, available in Fuego and Flare flavours.
Takis Pop! — Popcorn coated in Takis Fuego seasoning.
Some of these turn up in specialist import shops, but availability is inconsistent and prices are significantly higher than the UK-produced range.
Grupo Bimbo recognised the opportunity and established Grupo Bimbo UK Ltd in Mexborough to produce Takis specifically for the UK market. This means the Takis you buy in Tesco, Morrisons, or Aldi are manufactured for UK sale with compliant labelling and ingredients, not grey imports.
The UK launch focused on Fuego and Dragon Sweet Chilli, with Blue Heat and Intense Nacho following in 2025. Takis now sit in the mainstream crisp aisle alongside Doritos and Walkers, a remarkable transition for a brand that was completely unknown in the UK just a few years ago.
A 30g serving of Fuego contains approximately 150 calories. They are not the lightest snack, but portion control is the main consideration rather than any specific ingredient concern.
Supermarkets: Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, Co-op, and Sainsbury's all stock various Takis flavours and sizes.
Convenience stores: The 55g price-marked packs are available through conven
ience wholesalers, making them accessible in independent shops and forecourts.
Online: Amazon, specialist import shops, and direct-to-consumer candy retailers stock both UK-produced and imported US flavours.
Hot Tamales — Cinnamon-flavoured chewy candy that has been America's number one hot candy for decades. A completely different kind of heat to Takis but equally addictive.
Warheads — The undisputed king of extreme sour candy. If you enjoy the intensity of Takis Fuego, Warheads deliver the same thrill but through sourness rather than spice.
Toxic Waste — Hazardously sour candy in a nuclear barrel. Another challenge-worthy brand that performs brilliantly on social media.
Sour Patch Kids — Sour then sweet. One of the most popular American candy brands in the UK, available in bulk bags and multiple flavours. Read our complete Sour Patch Kids guide for the full range.
Browse our full candy range, American sodas, and grocery products for more. We offer free delivery on orders over £600+VAT with no minimum order quantity.
Takis were created by Barcel, a subsidiary of the Mexican food giant Grupo Bimbo, in 1999. The inventor is widely credited as Morgan Sanchez, though very little is publicly known about the individual.
When were Takis invented?
Takis were first sold in Mexico in 1999 under the name "Taquis." They were renamed to Takis around 2004 and entered the US market in 2001.
Where do Takis come from?
Takis originated in Mexico and are produced by Barcel, part of Grupo Bimbo. The UK range is manufactured by Grupo Bimbo UK Ltd based in Mexborough, South Yorkshire.
What is the hottest Takis flavour?
In the UK, Fuego is the hottest, rated "Extreme" on the Takis heat scale. Globally, Nitro (habanero and lime) is considered hotter, but it is not currently available in UK shops.
Are Takis available in UK supermarkets?
Yes. Takis are stocked in Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, Co-op, Sainsbury's and many convenience stores across the UK.
Are Takis gluten free?
The UK Fuego variety is made from corn flour and does not contain wheat as a listed ingredient, but the packaging states "may contain cereals containing gluten." If you have coeliac disease, check the specific pack you are buying.
Are Takis vegan?
The UK Fuego and Blue Heat flavours do not list any animal-derived ingredients, but they carry a "may contain milk" cross-contamination warning. Dragon Sweet Chilli and Intense Nacho should be checked individually as formulations vary.
Browse our full range or open a trade account to access wholesale pricing. Free delivery on orders over £600+VAT, no minimum order.
The Invention of Takis
Takis were created in 1999 by Barcel, a snack food division of Grupo Bimbo, one of the largest food companies in the world. The snack was first sold in Mexico under the name "Taquis" before being renamed to Takis around 2004.The inventor is widely credited as Morgan Sanchez, although very little public information exists about Sanchez or the exact development process. What is known is that Barcel designed the snack to fill a gap in the Mexican market for an intensely flavoured, rolled tortilla chip. The shape was inspired by the taquito — a small, tightly rolled tortilla — and each chip was coated in bold, spicy seasoning.
The original flavour was Fuego (Spanish for "fire"), a combination of hot chilli pepper and lime that remains the best-selling Takis variety to this day.
From Mexico to the World
Takis were introduced to the United States in 2001, initially targeting Hispanic communities in border states. But the snack spread rapidly through word of mouth, school playgrounds, and social media. By the mid-2010s, Takis had become a cultural phenomenon across North America, driven largely by Gen Z consumers who shared spicy food challenges on YouTube and TikTok.The brand expanded into Canada in 2015 and has since launched across Europe, including a dedicated UK operation through Grupo Bimbo UK Ltd, based in Mexborough, South Yorkshire.
Why Are Takis So Popular?
Several factors explain the Takis phenomenon. The rolled tube shape is unlike any other crisp on the market, giving them a distinctive crunch that flat crisps cannot match. The seasoning is deliberately intense — Barcel designed Fuego to hit what food scientists call the "bliss point," the precise combination of salt, heat, and acidity that makes a snack almost impossible to put down.Social media amplified this further. Takis became a staple of spicy food challenge videos, unboxing content, and ASMR eating clips. The bold purple Fuego packaging is instantly recognisable on screen, and the brand has leaned into this with campaigns targeting younger audiences. If you are interested in how TikTok drives snack trends in the UK, our guide to viral candy trends covers this in detail.
Every Takis Flavour Available in the UK
The UK Takis range is distributed by Grupo Bimbo UK Ltd and is available in major supermarkets and convenience stores. Here are the flavours currently on sale:Fuego (Hot Chilli Pepper and Lime)
The original and still the most popular. Fuego delivers an intense hit of chilli heat followed by a sharp lime tang. Rated "Extreme" on the Takis heat scale. Available in 55g price-marked packs, 100g bags, and 180g sharing bags.Blue Heat (Hot Chilli Pepper and Lime)
Launched in the UK in early 2025, Blue Heat uses the same chilli-lime flavour profile as Fuego but with a striking blue colour that turns your fingers and tongue blue. This flavour already had a huge cult following internationally before its UK arrival. Available in 55g, 100g (Co-op, Morrisons Daily), and 180g (Aldi) packs.Dragon Sweet Chilli
A sweet chilli flavour that starts with sweetness before building to a spicy kick. Less intense than Fuego but still packs heat. This is the entry point for customers who find Fuego too aggressive.Intense Nacho
The first non-spicy Takis flavour, launched as part of Barcel's push to broaden the brand's appeal. A bold, cheesy nacho flavour in the signature rolled shape. Good for customers who love the crunch but not the heat.| Retailer Tip: Takis are distributed directly by Grupo Bimbo UK through major grocery channels. If you stock them alongside imported American spicy snacks, you create a dedicated "heat" section that appeals to the same Gen Z customers. Hot Tamales, Warheads, and Toxic Waste are strong complementary lines. |
Takis Flavours You Cannot Get in the UK (Yet)
The US and Mexican markets have a much wider Takis range. Flavours that UK fans search for but cannot easily find include:Nitro — Habanero and lime. Hotter than Fuego with a deeper chilli flavour.
Zombie — Habanero and cucumber. A seasonal Halloween release that keeps coming back due to demand.
Xplosion — Spicy nacho cheese. Combines heat with a cheesy base.
Angry Burger — Spicy hamburger and dill pickle. One of the more unusual offerings.
Takis Stix — Stick-shaped rather than rolled, available in Fuego and Flare flavours.
Takis Pop! — Popcorn coated in Takis Fuego seasoning.
Some of these turn up in specialist import shops, but availability is inconsistent and prices are significantly higher than the UK-produced range.
How Takis Conquered the UK
Takis first appeared in UK import shops around 2018-2019, sold as American or Mexican imports at premium prices. The demand was driven almost entirely by social media — UK consumers watched US creators eating Takis and wanted to try them.Grupo Bimbo recognised the opportunity and established Grupo Bimbo UK Ltd in Mexborough to produce Takis specifically for the UK market. This means the Takis you buy in Tesco, Morrisons, or Aldi are manufactured for UK sale with compliant labelling and ingredients, not grey imports.
The UK launch focused on Fuego and Dragon Sweet Chilli, with Blue Heat and Intense Nacho following in 2025. Takis now sit in the mainstream crisp aisle alongside Doritos and Walkers, a remarkable transition for a brand that was completely unknown in the UK just a few years ago.
Takis Nutrition and Ingredients
The UK Fuego recipe (produced by Grupo Bimbo UK) uses pre-cooked corn flour, vegetable fat (palm), sunflower oil, and a chilli-lime seasoning that includes maltodextrin, citric acid, salt, MSG, sugar, beetroot concentrate, and paprika extract for colour. The UK formulation avoids the artificial colours (Red 40, Yellow 6) used in the US version, using natural alternatives instead.A 30g serving of Fuego contains approximately 150 calories. They are not the lightest snack, but portion control is the main consideration rather than any specific ingredient concern.
| Retailer Tip: The UK Takis formulation is compliant with UK food regulations. The US import versions often contain Red 40 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake, which face restrictions in certain UK food categories. Always check the label if you are selling imported US packs versus UK-produced stock. |
Where to Buy Takis in the UK
Takis are now widely available across UK retail:Supermarkets: Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, Co-op, and Sainsbury's all stock various Takis flavours and sizes.
Convenience stores: The 55g price-marked packs are available through conven
ience wholesalers, making them accessible in independent shops and forecourts.
Online: Amazon, specialist import shops, and direct-to-consumer candy retailers stock both UK-produced and imported US flavours.
Love Spicy Snacks? Explore More
If Takis have got you hooked on spicy snacking, there is a whole world of heat-packed sweets and snacks worth exploring. At Sweet and Glory, we specialise in imported American and world candy that you will not find in your local supermarket. Here are some fiery favourites:Hot Tamales — Cinnamon-flavoured chewy candy that has been America's number one hot candy for decades. A completely different kind of heat to Takis but equally addictive.
Warheads — The undisputed king of extreme sour candy. If you enjoy the intensity of Takis Fuego, Warheads deliver the same thrill but through sourness rather than spice.
Toxic Waste — Hazardously sour candy in a nuclear barrel. Another challenge-worthy brand that performs brilliantly on social media.
Sour Patch Kids — Sour then sweet. One of the most popular American candy brands in the UK, available in bulk bags and multiple flavours. Read our complete Sour Patch Kids guide for the full range.
Browse our full candy range, American sodas, and grocery products for more. We offer free delivery on orders over £600+VAT with no minimum order quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented Takis?Takis were created by Barcel, a subsidiary of the Mexican food giant Grupo Bimbo, in 1999. The inventor is widely credited as Morgan Sanchez, though very little is publicly known about the individual.
When were Takis invented?
Takis were first sold in Mexico in 1999 under the name "Taquis." They were renamed to Takis around 2004 and entered the US market in 2001.
Where do Takis come from?
Takis originated in Mexico and are produced by Barcel, part of Grupo Bimbo. The UK range is manufactured by Grupo Bimbo UK Ltd based in Mexborough, South Yorkshire.
What is the hottest Takis flavour?
In the UK, Fuego is the hottest, rated "Extreme" on the Takis heat scale. Globally, Nitro (habanero and lime) is considered hotter, but it is not currently available in UK shops.
Are Takis available in UK supermarkets?
Yes. Takis are stocked in Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, Co-op, Sainsbury's and many convenience stores across the UK.
Are Takis gluten free?
The UK Fuego variety is made from corn flour and does not contain wheat as a listed ingredient, but the packaging states "may contain cereals containing gluten." If you have coeliac disease, check the specific pack you are buying.
Are Takis vegan?
The UK Fuego and Blue Heat flavours do not list any animal-derived ingredients, but they carry a "may contain milk" cross-contamination warning. Dragon Sweet Chilli and Intense Nacho should be checked individually as formulations vary.
Sweet and Glory: Your Wholesale Partner for Trending Snacks
While Sweet and Glory does not currently stock Takis we carry over 2,000 imported American and world candy, chocolate, and soda products that your customers are actively searching for. From viral TikTok candy to the most popular American sweets, we supply retailers, sweet shops, and online sellers across the UK.Browse our full range or open a trade account to access wholesale pricing. Free delivery on orders over £600+VAT, no minimum order.
