Swicy Foods Are What Hot Girl Summer Is Made Of

The sweet-spicy symphony is here to stay, and we're not just talking about the 2019 anthem "Hot Girl Summer." Swicy foods — a combination of sweet and spicy — are the punchy flavor(s) of the summer, and if you haven't noticed the trend already, it's only a matter of time. From supermarket shelves to hot new offerings from restaurant chains, the flavor profiles of certain items have moved in this direction. In fact, the combo's appearance on menus nationwide has gone up a whopping 38% in the last year according to market research the firm Datassential shared with TODAY.

Sweet heat isn't new, and we've all seen the rise of hot honey in the last few years. There are several factors driving the demand for the pairing, from younger generations looking for punchier flavors to rising ethnic diversity, which is often more inured to capsaicin. It also seems the next logical stepping stone after the sweet-savory flavor wave that has now become more of a "classic" pairing (though dishes like Dr. Pepper baked beans may still catch a few people unaware).

While you're going to see a lot of swicy foods coming at you from big brands and chains, there's much to explore with this contrasting mix in your own kitchen. The combination works with snacks, mains, desserts, drinks, and even candy, so we have many more swicy flavors to look forward to.

Depending on how old you are, you may remember the Sriracha wave that had people adding the sweet spicy condiment on everything from chicken wings to chocolate chip cookies. Hot honey saw a similar (if not as adventurous) proliferation, especially on pizza. There are several other sources where the sweet heat flavor has entered our collective palate, from Asian sweet-spicy flavors like gochujang and sambal oelek to smokey-sweet-spicy notes in barbecue sauces and marinades.

Swicy foods now, however, are getting punchier, with studies showing a sharp rise in people enjoying "bold" flavors. From Takis to PepsiCo's Flamin' Hot flavor, which the company is expanding from Cheetos and Doritos to a portfolio of over 25 other products, expect to see sweet-spicy-inspired snacks, fast food, and even gourmet offerings more than ever.

The factors leading the trend indicate swicy foods will more or less become a permanent fixture in our diets. One major reason for sweet heat's endurance is that it is a versatile flavor combination that's easy enough to implement and effortlessly leads to delicious results. It works equally well on a salad as it would on a steak or burger. Try adding a spicy tangy condiment like Tajín or chamoy to grilled summer fruits for a quick and healthy introduction to the world of swicy foods.

While the idea of swicy beverages is obviously bolstered by the growing popularity of swicy foods, the trend started to take off with drinks manufacturers initially trying to capitalize on the rising popularity of spicy flavors. Since most beverages sold by brands like Starbucks and Coca-Cola are sweet, incorporating a spicy element inevitably led to a proliferation of the sweet-spicy combination. 

Perhaps the best indicator of how seriously companies are taking this flavor profile is Coca-Cola Spiced. Unlike many of the company's limited-time flavors, this "spiced" version was introduced as part of the rarefied permanent flavors portfolio which only contains enduring flavors like the classic, cherry, and vanilla. Starbucks, too, has a line of spicy-sweet seasonal drinks that combine heat and summer fruit flavors.

Candy makers aren't far behind as both Skittles and Starburst have a line of Sweet Heat flavors that feature spiced-up versions of the candies' classic fruit flavors. Oreo has also dabbled in this area, releasing a limited edition "Hot and Spicy Cinnamon" variety a few years ago and a Spicy Hot Cocoa OREO Cookie Balls recipe on their website.

Seeing various brands come up with their own versions of sweet heat shows just how versatile the combination is. Everything from cinnamon to habanero peppers can be grouped under "spice," so keep your tastebuds tuned for more swicy experiments this summer.