More and more buzzwords are being added to the culinary lexicon all the time—”swicy,” ”swangy,” “swalty,” “fricy,” “swavory.” They may seem overwhelming, and even silly, but beneath the buzz is an evolution in consumer taste that transcends fleeting trends.
As concepts for regional Mexican, Korean, Thai, and other global cuisines have grown across the U.S., consumers have been seeking out more layered flavor experiences that these regions have perfected. These cravings made their way to TikTok, where trends like “swicy” (sweet and spicy) began to take off earlier this decade. And appetites for adventurous flavor combinations are still growing.
Swicy
Swicy has dominated culinary conversations in recent years, with ingredients like hot honey and gochujang becoming go-tos. Sweet and spicy flavor combinations are still widely sought after, with consumers trying new variations and applications: vegetables glazed with harissa and brown sugar, a cheeseboard with Calabrian chili and honey, meatballs topped with Thai sweet chili sauce—the possibilities are endless!
Sweet + Spicy Combinations:
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Chili crisp + ice cream
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Curry + maple
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Peppercorns + dark chocolate
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Harissa + brown sugar
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Calabrian chili + honey
Fricy
A specific variation of swicy that’s gaining heat, fricy brings together fruit and spice for a winning trio of sweetness, spiciness, and acidity. Already a tried and true pairing for wing sauces like mango habanero, fricy is entering new menu spaces, particularly beverage. Mangonadas have inspired more beverage concepts to experiment with refreshing smoothies that add a dash of heat.
Fruity + Spicy Combinations:
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Tajin + mango
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Thai chili + yuzu
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Jalapeno + pineapple
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Gochujang + strawberry
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Chili + watermelon
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Chamoy + papaya
Swavory
Even desserts can be too sweet. Savory ingredients help balance out the flavor, making treats less of a sugar rush and more of a rich, lingering taste. MSG has been the unexpected hero in this space. Once vilified by dubious health claims, the umami staple has undergone a much needed revaluation and is adding depth across menu items, even desserts.
Of course, this trend goes both ways, with sweet ingredients making savory sauces and entrees more decadent.
Sweet + Savory Combinations:
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Miso + caramel
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Matcha + strawberry
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Parmesan + cheesecake
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MSG + chocolate cake
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Tomato + sorbet
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BBQ sauce + chocolate
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Pizza + fruit
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Olive + fig
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Balsamic + honey
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Fish sauce + brown sugar
Your Sourcing Solution
While brands can capitalize on these buzzwords, like Lay’s has with “swicy,” the real takeaway is the flavors themselves. A fun portmanteau may come and go, but great taste and layered flavors are always on trend.
Dot Foods carries global ingredients and emerging flavors to create the layered culinary experiences customers crave. Add products to your pantry today.
Go bold with flavorful products available at Dot.