Brands are releasing popular foods with sweet-spicy flavors for younger consumers
Trend - Snacks that combine hot and sweet flavors are being released to diversify snack offerings. These snacks, referred to as 'Swicy' in flavor, are made by mixing traditionally sweet foods with spicy ingredients, such as hot sauces or peppers. This results in unique flavors for younger consumers.
Insight - The recent boom in popularity of spicy foods in the west has led to younger consumers, namely Gen Z and Gen Alphas, growing up more accustomed to spicy flavors than other generations. As a result, these consumers desire more adventurous flavors in all dishes, whether it be a snack, meal, or dessert. Brands are capitalising off of the popularity of spicy foods and the desire for strong flavors by mixing spicy and sweet flavors into countless unique products.
Insight - The recent boom in popularity of spicy foods in the west has led to younger consumers, namely Gen Z and Gen Alphas, growing up more accustomed to spicy flavors than other generations. As a result, these consumers desire more adventurous flavors in all dishes, whether it be a snack, meal, or dessert. Brands are capitalising off of the popularity of spicy foods and the desire for strong flavors by mixing spicy and sweet flavors into countless unique products.
Workshop Question - How could your brand adapt its products to meet the adventurous desires of younger consumers?
Trend Themes
1. Swicy Snacks - The combination of sweet and spicy elements in snacks is reshaping consumer taste preferences with novel flavor experiences.
2. Spicy Food Popularity - The increasing demand for spicy foods is pushing brands to innovate with heat-based flavors across different food categories.
3. Flavor Experimentation - Younger generations' craving for adventurous flavors is driving the introduction of unique taste profiles in common foods.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can explore the rising consumer interest in complex flavor profiles for new product lines.
2. Health and Wellness - Health-conscious consumers seeking bold flavors in nutritious snacks are an emerging market within the health and wellness sector.
3. Retail and Groceries - Retail and grocery sectors can capitalize on the swicy trend by diversifying their snack and condiment offerings.
