Spicy mayo, spicy chocolate, spicy wings, crispy rice spicy tuna: this year was all about the spice, and the next looks just as hot. As this sizzling trend continues to gain momentum, businesses looking to ride the wave of flavor innovation should take note. Make sure to check out our bulk catalog for the finest chili pepper varieties and heat-enhancing ingredients to spice up your products!
Fire & fire
American consumers and people all around the world are opening up their palates to new cuisines and with that, to new flavors. Bring on the heat! Chili peppers ate up the spotlight this year. You can see it all over social media with trending products like Momofuku’s Chili Crunch, Truff’s Hotter Hot Sauce, and TikTok’s viral Wingstop Nashville Hot Wings mukbangs. Even the snack market is joining in, don’t act like you haven’t heard of Takis Fuego, it hurts but it’s worth it. The spicy food trend is also making its way into unexpected categories. For example, cocktails are now being infused with chili peppers, adding a spicy twist to your classic margarita (someone call Bethenny Frankel) or bloody mary. Chili-chocolate I mean!! Mixing the rich sweetness of chocolate with the intense heat of chili, it tastes like a reward. There’s even a chat show called Hot Ones, where celebrities go and spill the tea while eating hot wings.
Spicy? Maybe. Swicy? YES!
“The spicy trend is here to stay,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, packaged goods and foodservice industry advisor with market research firm Circana, in an interview with CNN.
Think of a hot honey rub or a spicy lemonade, what do they have in common? They’re sweet with a kick. That’s what consumers are asking for according to Lyons Wyatt. This trend, mostly set by Millenials, Gen Zs and even the younger generation, Gen Alpha, is forcing big brand names like Coca-Cola and Starbucks to step out of the box. The first one launched earlier this year a Coca-Cola Spiced, that was eventually taken out of the shelves because it wasn’t spicy enough. The second one though, was a hot success but a seasonal one, with flavors like Dragonfruit Spicy Lemonade, Pineapple Spicy Lemonade, and Strawberry Spicy Lemonade. The “Swicy Summer” was a hit and will come back next year, according to experts.
They are healthy too!
There are so many types of chilis in the market and new ones keep popping up. Ghost, Poblano, Serrano, Habanero, the list goes on. But here’s what you didn’t know:
- It can boost your immune system, yes. Chilis are packed with Vitamin C, way more than oranges. So next time you get a cold, just much on a bunch of Carolina Reapers.
- It can prevent heart disease. Studies show that the capsaicin in hot peppers can reduce inflammation and decrease your chances of getting heart disease.
- Help with weight loss. Some studies show that the capsaicin found in chilis, which is what gives it the spice, can increase metabolism and help you burn off calories.
Heat up your business!
Stay on the trend and spice up your business! Contact our team for the hottest ingredients around!
