“80% of consumers now enjoy hot and spicy foods”

In a recent survey of US consumers ages 18 and older, Kalsec reports that, of the 1,300 US consumers it surveyed, 80% of consumers now enjoy hot and spicy foods. Over half of those – 56% – surveyed eat spicy foods at least once a week. In addition, the frequency of consumption and heat levels […]

In a recent survey of US consumers ages 18 and older, Kalsec reports that, of the 1,300 US consumers it surveyed, 80% of consumers now enjoy hot and spicy foods. Over half of those – 56% – surveyed eat spicy foods at least once a week. In addition, the frequency of consumption and heat levels of hot and spicy foods continues to rise. Snacks and soups were the most common new hot and spicy foods that consumers have tried in the past year.

Consumers are also enjoying hot and spicy foods both when eating at restaurants and at home. While choosing restaurants for hot and spicy options still ranks high, six out of 10 consumers now prepare hot and spicy meals when dining in. Dinner remains the most popular meal for hot and spicy food consumption.

Two out of five consumers agreed that foods taste better with some level of heat, while one in five consumers are eating hotter foods than they did one year ago. 61% of survey respondents said they prefer a medium or higher heat level in foods

“Variety is the spice of life” also appears to be true for consumers when it comes to hot and spicy foods, the company said. Consumers are increasingly interested in the type of ingredients used to make hot and spicy foods, Kalsec believes. Their choices indicate a desire for complexity in their heat experience which includes the selection of more ethnic varieties. Thai food was the most common new hot and spicy cuisine tried in the past year while curry was the most common hot and spicy ingredient. Of those consumers having a preference for hot and spicy foods, jalapeno, cayenne and chipotle were among their preferred pepper sources. Habanero, poblano and peri peri peppers have also risen in popularity in Europe as evidenced by the rise of new product development with these peppers in packaged foods (Innova Market Insights 2015).

“Our research not only confirms the continued, strong consumer demand to include hot and spicy foods as some part of their menu plan, but a desire to experience heat levels in a variety of new ways” said Gary Augustine, executive director, market development.