The “swicy” food trend has taken the supermarket shelves by storm, with a wide variety of products now offering a sweet and spicy twist. From chips to ice cream, and even beverages from popular brands like Starbucks and Coca-Cola, companies are embracing this trend to cater to the evolving tastes of consumers.
According to food industry advisor Sally Lyons Wyatt of market research firm Circana, the spicy trend is not just a passing fad but a long-term shift in consumer preferences. Younger generations, including Zillennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, have been at the forefront of driving the demand for bold and spicy flavors. However, this trend has been in the making for over a decade, with spicy products dominating snack aisles in grocery stores.
While spicy snacks have been popular for some time, the expansion of spiciness into other categories like beverages is a relatively new development. Coca-Cola, for example, recently introduced Coca-Cola Spiced, its first new permanent soda flavor in years. This move was driven by consumer willingness to try spiced beverages and a growing interest in bolder and more complex flavor profiles.
Starbucks has also jumped on the “swicy” bandwagon with a limited line of spring lemonade drinks infused with spice. The three flavors – spicy dragonfruit, spicy pineapple, and spicy strawberry – were inspired by the trend and offer customers a unique take on the popular sweet and spicy flavor combination.
These brands are not just capitalizing on the “swicy” trend for short-term gain but are looking to establish it as a lasting commercial success. Mintel foodservice analyst Varchasvi Singh believes that the enthusiasm for spicy foods and flavors is not a passing fad but a long-term shift in consumer preferences driven by a desire to explore new ingredients and cuisines.
Data collected by Circana shows a yearly nine percent increase in dollar sales for foods and beverages described as “spicy.” Additionally, there has been a significant increase in the number of adults aged 25 to 34 who enjoy bold flavors, indicating a growing appetite for spicy foods among consumers.
In conclusion, the “swicy” trend is not just a passing fad but a significant shift in consumer preferences towards bolder and more complex flavors. Brands like Coca-Cola and Starbucks are embracing this trend and innovating to cater to the evolving tastes of consumers. With the increasing popularity of spicy foods and flavors, it is clear that the “swicy” trend is here to stay.