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Consumer demand for “swicy” is heating uP

2025 Food & Flavor Outlook        July 2025          Custom Culinary®

Heat Meets Sweet Header Image 2025 Flavor Outlook


With a majority of global consumers saying they’re interested in trying new flavors, sweet-hot pairings at a range of spice levels can fit the bill. Layering flavors to create mouthwatering restaurant entrées, craveable snacks and unique protein marinades can bring success and wide-ranging appeal.  

One unique attribute of the sweet and spicy pairing is how well it works across dayparts and product categories. Hot honey and sweet chile sauces continue to grow as toppers and dressings for pizza, burgers, chicken, stir-fried noodles and other entrées, and they’re inspiring flavor development into new territory, too. Whether it’s an ice cream chain topping sundaes with chili crisp or a mango iced tea with chile-lime boba, categories like dessert and beverage are taking a bold yet balanced approach to flavor.

Examining sweet and spicy flavors through the lens of health and wellness is also critical for product and menu success. Ingredients that bring a touch of sweetness without high levels of added sugar will take this powerful sensory experience to new heights!
 


Discover Chef Girish’s story

Chef Girish Kumar, our featured culinarian, believes in the importance of balancing flavors when Heat Meets Sweet. You can watch him create a Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Sweet and Spicy Kerala Curry, featuring Custom Culinary® Spicy Malabar Seasoning and Custom Culinary® Fish Base in our latest video.


Serving flavor that’s bold, yet balanced


 

The most appealing sweet and spicy ingredient combinations deliver an exciting experience—whether it’s through a touch of heat or a more intense fiery flavor profile. Check out our interactive flipbook for inspiration on taking this culinary theme to new heights.

Throughout this book, you’ll find these themes brought to life through our incredible culinarians. Their stories may be personal, but the values they stand for resonate with us all. As you read, I encourage you to think about your own culinary stories and the ways in which we can nourish the world, together.

VIEW FLIPBOOK

 
2025 Food and Flavor Outlook Flipbook Cover
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CReATE AND INNOVATE

The sweet and spicy flavor profile continues to evolve as chefs and manufacturers experiment with ingredients and formats to create something new. The Custom Culinary team wants to bring this spirit of innovation to our customers, with insightful techniques and recipe inspiration to heat up these offerings.

FOODSERVICE: Sweet and spicy flavors work across menu categories, from appetizers to entrées and even dessert. Ensure that flavors don’t overpower each other, and pair with sides and sauces like tangy slaw or yogurt dip to cut the heat.

PROTEIN PROCESSORS: Marinades, glazes and rubs that combine natural sweeteners (such as agave, honey or fruit juice) with peppers of various heat levels (like chipotle, jalapeño or habanero) can satisfy every spice preference.  

SNACK INDUSTRY: To create snacks that are both intriguing and accessible to a wide audience, it’s important to balance innovation with familiarity. Try pairing sweet honey with spicy sriracha on roasted nuts or caramel and chili powder to dress up popcorn.


Sweet and Spicy Bombay Bhel

An elevated bar snack featuring crunchy rice puffs, quinoa, makhana, pine nuts and peanuts combined with avocado, onion, tomato, coriander and dried cranberries. Tossed with tamarind chutney, honey sriracha sauce, microgreens, spices and fresh lime juice.

Featuring Custom Culinary® Honey Sriracha Sauce and 26 Szechuan Seasoning

Custom Culinary Bombay Bhel Recipe


5 ways to lay sweet heat

Sweet and spicy flavors don’t have to be overpowering to make an impact. Here are some of Chef Girish’s best tips and tricks for building layers that help achieve the tastes consumers and patrons will crave.


 
BALANCE

Start small! Begin with just a small amount of spice and gradually add sweetness to counter the heat.
 

DAIRY

A touch of dairy can help to tone down the heat in situations where spice levels are intense.

TEXTURE

Incorporate ingredients with contrasting textures that add interest to a dish, such as crispy fried chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze.
 

INTENSITY

When cooking with whole chiles, consider removing the seeds first to reduce the heat level of your dish.

TIMING

Incorporate ingredients with contrasting textures that add interest to a dish, such as crispy fried chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze.

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