Spicy + Sweet = Swicy

The trending flavor combination of sweet and spicy keeps turning up the heat with unique dishes that are wowing customers across North America, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and beyond. We’re going to share three easy ways your restaurant can tap into the trend.

53% of Gen Z shoppers say they enjoy “swicy” heat, which combines sweet and spicy as a flavor profile*.

Honey's rich texture rounds out heat beautifully, coating the palate and providing a lingering flavor experience. Try creating your own hot honey by playing with different sources of heat, from Calabrian pepper or ancho chili to sambal or gochujang. If you want to add depth to the sweet side of the equation, try using a smoked or fermented honey for more flavor complexity. From pizza to roasted vegetables, or mixed into a cocktail, the flavor blast of hot honey is full of surprise and delight.

Mayonnaise has the special talent of rounding out the sharp edges of sweet heat. When blending sweet and spicy ingredients into mayo, the fat acts as a carrier, mellowing the intensity. Try creating a spicy maple mayo by infusing maple syrup with jalapeño and blending it into the mayonnaise for a dressing or a sandwich spread. Or try mango habanero mayo. Mango opens up mouth-watering aromatics and the richness of the mayo is cut by the clean, intense flavor of the chili pepper.

Modern desserts are embracing the swicy trend too. Following the legacy of salted caramel, the sweet heat trend offers a big opportunity for differentiation in desserts. Try a refreshing chili mango popsicle using fresh mango and lime zest, finished with a chili lime coating. Craft a spicy maple pecan cheesecake that combines the richness of maple syrup with a blend of warm spices. Almost any dessert can benefit from an uplifting hit of heat.

Discover the endless possibilities of “swicy” and set your menu apart with this bold and irresistible flavor fusion. And make sure your servers are ready to explain the unique flavor profiles to bring your dinners along for the swicy ride!