The spice of life turns out to be, well, spices – not just any spices, but the ones that have you grabbing your drink to cool your mouth. Recently that trend not only dominates the snack and prepared food aisles, but with spicy drinks in the beverage aisle, too.
TrendIncite reported flavor combinations taking hold of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. V8 debuted spicy chipotle and hot honey blends; Aura Bora is blending blackberry and black pepper in sparkling water; Perfy has a pepperoni pizza-flavored soda; Claussen is selling pickle juice, and Captain Morgan has a sweet chili lime flavor, to name just a few.
“Consumers crave beverages with a kick. Keep your eyes peeled as brands launch unique spicy flavor combinations in non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks,” the report advised.
Drinks aren’t the only brave new taste; the trend is evident in the ice cream aisle, as well. Graeter’s has teamed up with Skyline Chili for an ice cream spiced with chili peppers.
“Savory and spicy flavors inspired by condiments, sauces, and marinades are steadily appearing in the snack aisle while snack flavors are inspiring LTO alcoholic beverages,” Trendincite noted.
“Expect to see more complex and unique flavors and innovations in the snack aisle.”
The report added and cross-promotions and collaborations with iconic food and beverage brands are inspiring savory snack flavors.
Move over traditional potato chips; salt and vinegar and BBQ for Korean-style sweet and spicy chili chips (Ruffles), Worcestershire-sauce and ketchup/spicy siracha flavored Takis, along with tzatziki and masala flavored Lays. There’s even a brisket-flavored Pringles.
Spherical Insights reported 2025 will see a global explosion in demand for chili peppers in condiments and processed meals.
“Chili consumption is especially prevalent in areas where spicy cuisines are culturally important, such as Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa. However, growing markets in Europe and North America are also demonstrating an increase in demand for chili-infused products, owing to trends in globalized culinary tastes and ethnic food industry expansion,” the report said.
Hormel Foods introduced hot honey sliced sausage for pizza at this year’s Pizza Expo.
“When people see Hormel Foods at Pizza Expo, they expect us to bring it, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with hot honey sliced sausage,” Logan Kumm, associate Foodservice brand manager at Hormel Foods said. The press release called hot honey the fastest growing pizza ingredient.
The Food Institute Podcast
It’s tariff time, and companies the world over are working to better understand how their operations will be impacted. Jodi Ader from RSM US LLP joined The Food Institute Podcast to discuss which products and inputs are currently subject to tariffs, and how to best mitigate supply chain risks.
