Supermarket Perimeter - February 2025 - 40

Cheese: Sweet heat
Swicy competes
with swalty
Gen Z is known for moving fast and embracing
new trends first. While swicy continues
to be a top flavor choice for the group, a
competitor has emerged: swalty. Just like
swicy is sweet with spicy, swalty is sweet with
salty. The flavor combination is certainly not
new to the food industry, but the new term
rapidly gained popularity in 2024, according
to Jacksonville, Fla.-based Rubix Foods.
The company's NEXT Flavor Network - a
collective of three influential taste-making
social media creators with Gen Z audiences
- reported that swalty is currently craved
5% more than swicy among Gen Zers.
" Understanding Gen Z is one thing, but
adapting to this generation's evolving and
experimental palate is critical for restaurants
to drive meaningful traffic, " said Shannon
O'Shields, vice president of marketing
at Rubix Foods. " On top of partaking in
little treat culture and being exposed to
diverse tastes, they are the generation most
excited to try new food and beverage items
and are quick to share what they love with
social media. The goal is that this data gives
restaurants the courage to innovate and try
something new with their flavor offerings,
ultimately meeting the demands of this
influential group. "
For swicy to stay in the game, Rubix Foods
says complex heat that " complements a
well-rounded flavor profile rather than
overwhelming it " is important to Gen
Z. Some of Gen Z's top favorite spicy
ingredients include Nashville hot, chili lime,
gochujang, and sriracha.
Habanero is also popular with Gen Z. While
mango habanero is a classic flavor that is
widely loved, 60% of Gen Z said they would
like to try a peach habanero flavor. Other
swicy flavors Gen Z wants to see more of
are pineapple tajin, honey pepper, and sweet
Thai chili.
Real, natural ingredients to the front
Another major trend companies are tracking in 2025 is health, real ingredients, and
transparency from food manufacturers.
" As the demand for added value becomes a baseline expectation, food and
beverage brands are shifting focus from singular star ingredients to the holistic
quality of their products. " DFW said. " In 2025, consumers prioritize freshness, health
benefits, naturalness, nutritional content, price, and shelf life. Crafting a narrative
around these qualities will help consumers feel more connected with the product. "
This is reflected in Président's newest Rondelé flavor, Mango Habanero. The
design on the packaging highlights the real fruit and pepper ingredients, and when
consumers open the product, there are toppings that reinforce the visual of the real
mangos and peppers used to flavor the cheese.
Mango and habanero continue to shine in Barron, Wis.-based Red Apple Cheese's
Mango Habanero Gouda. The company describes it as a " delightful balance of sweet
and heat. " Red Apple also has a gouda product for the hot honey trend, Honey
Sriracha Gouda, which is " tangy and sweet with a bit of heat. "
Red Apple said its goudas are 100% natural, certified kosher, and made in
Wisconsin with rBST free milk.
" We use time-honored techniques and some new ones we've created like cold
smoking for hours with apples and hardwoods, " the company said. " No shortcuts
allowed - ever. So, you can experience the best of the classic cheeses you love and
discover some new types and flavors. "
Swicy Gen Z
48% would choose the spicy version of a menu item over the original
78% love spicy foods and flavors
45% love swicy flavors and 23% consume them often
38% crave some sort of spicy snack
74% prefer a mild or medium spice level
33% want to see more habanero flavors on menus
Source: Rubix Food
40 - FEBRUARY 2025
supermarketperimeter.com
Red Apple
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - February 2025

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