Some like it hot, and food service providers are responding by turning up the spice. Across literally all food categories, peppers, spices, and hot sauces are showing up more and more frequently. From spicy buffalo-flavored potato chips to sriracha-sauced burgers and chipotle beer, hot and spicy are the buzzwords of the flavor world.
What is driving this spice explosion? Several factors are combining to make spicy flavors more popular than ever. The biggest driver is probably demographics; market research firm Mintel found that a majority of Millennials (62 percent) consider themselves “adventurous eaters,” and three out of four Millennials want to experience more new flavors when eating out. And market intelligence firm IBISWorld calls sriracha sauce, a spicy combination of red chili and garlic, the “go-to condiment” for Millennials.
It’s not just Millennials who prefer spicier foods; 54 percent of all consumers enjoy hot or spicy foods, up from 48 percent just seven years ago. Another driver of this trend is the increased interest in different kinds of ethnic foods. Food court lo mein just doesn’t cut it for exotic food these days. Spice company McCormick documents greater interest in new spice blends like Shawarma spice (from Middle Eastern street food) and Japanese 7-spice (Shichimi Togarashi). Flavor company Kalsec notes that one out of four consumers is eating spicy food more often this year than last year. Kalsec also found that jalapenos are still the most popular pepper, but new peppers like arbol and japones chiles are gaining popularity.
There are some good health reasons to enjoy spicy food. For one, adding spice is a great way to add flavor without adding harmful salt to your diet. The capsaicin in hot peppers has been linked to speeding up people’s metabolism, which can help with weight loss. It can also dilate blood vessels, lowering blood pressure. As previously discussed on this blog, the curcumin in turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties. So spice it up! Your taste buds will eventually grow back, even if you try that crazy ghost pepper or “Carolina Reaper.”