While Americans continue to press to keep Spanish words out of official government communication, they embrace Hispanic flavors on their dinner tables.

"Latin flavors are hot, and they're hot across all market segments," says Bill Briwa, an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America who notes that the rise of Hispanic flavors has been sudden and fast. A decade ago, chipotle was virtually unknown in the mainstream.

Now today, companies like Sargento Foods are launching chipotle-seasoned cheddar. Three varieties of it. Kraft, whose iconic Oreo cookies already come in dulce de leche (a caramel-like flavor popular in South America), is rolling out Fresa (strawberry). Wrigley's Orbit chewing gum now comes in a "mint mojito" flavor.