Collision of Sweet + Spicy

Swicy, the newest food global trend made popular by social media, is a collision of sweet and spicy flavors. Swicy defines what our taste buds are craving rather than how a food is cooked or prepared. Swicy is a portmanteau, a word blending two meanings of others.  Even though this is a new trend it has its universal roots. Thought to originally have been a food trend for condiments and snacks such as hot honey, Gochujang (a pleasantly-fermented, complex Korean spice paste), and chili dark chocolate, it has actually been around a lot longer than that. The Mayans and the Aztecs have been consuming Xocolatl, a Mexican hot chocolate, for nearly 2,000 years. This slightly-bitter chocolate drink was spiked with cinnamon, dark chocolate, vanilla, and chilies, nd exhibits a sweet and spicy profile. This flavorful and comforting drink is also stimulating from its combination of flavors and ingredients. Given to nobles and warriors for energy and rejuvenation, it is no wonder why the sweet and spicy trend has spanned centuries. 

The sweet and spicy flavor profile can be found in cuisines around the world including the foods of India, Thailand and Mexico. India’s gulab jamun is a soft dough, milk-based confection with the flavors of sugariness from a syrup, and spiciness from cardamon. Thailand has its green curry sweetened from coconut milk and heat present from young green chilies. Mexico has its chamoy or mole sauce, representing sweet and spicy flavors. Chamoy sauce is made from dried apricots, hibiscus flowers, prunes or raisins, and chilies. Mole sauce is made from chocolate, chilies, spices, and tomatillos, exhibiting both sweetness and spiciness from the core ingredients. 

Bex has also been using this style of seasoning in their repertoire from its inception fifteen years ago. Swicy can be found in their sweet and sour chicken meatballs, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and their gingerbread cheesecake confection, along with other featured items on their seasonal menu. Chicken meatballs provide flavor via brown sugar, pineapple and vinegar; Jerk Chicken brings out the sweet and spicy flavors from molasses, jalapenos, and vinegar; and the gingerbread cheesecake contains candied ginger for the crust and sugar and cream for the filling. All of these dishes provide a flavorful experience with each bite. That is why the Bex tagline is “It’s all about the bite.”