Meat+Poultry - September 2023 - 47

The flavor trend that blends familiar flavors with heat
is all the rage and consuming multiple platforms
BY DONNA BERRY | meatpoult r y@sosland.com
I
t's not just sweet. It's not just spicy. It's swicy,
and it's all the rage in the world of salty and
savory foods, and that includes meat, poultry
and alternative proteins.
Sweet and spicy pairings have existed for
centuries and can be found in cuisines all
around the world. One of the attractions is
that sweetness (from caloric carbohydrates,
not non-nutritive sweeteners) helps tame the
kick of capsaicin, the chemical compound
in peppers that delivers fiery flavor. That's
because sugar coats the taste buds, while
capsaicin binds to them. By mellowing the
perception of heat with sugar, the consumer
can better taste the complexity of the pepper
as well as the carrier food.
" Swicy flavors have become extremely
popular, as they are the perfect bridge between
sweet and savory, " said Jacob Sturm, innovation
chef, Monin, Clearwater, Fla. " This growing
popularity for swicy food has greatly increased
the interest in Asian cuisine, as one of the many
things it is known for is sweet and spicy foods. "
FIGHTING COOKING FATIGUE
While the descriptor swicy may not be
incorporated into consumer marketing, it's
a term that formulators and flavorists are
referencing during product development. It
likely started with the popularity of Mike's
Hot Honey, specifically when drizzled over
pepperoni pizza. The swicy flavor profile is
now responsible for the creation of a plethora
of condiments and marinades to assist
Americans struggling with cooking fatigue.
" The hybrid meal has taken over America's
kitchens, with the continued home-centered
world having room for premium purchases, "
said Anne-Marie Roerink, principal, 210
Analytics, San Antonio, Texas. " Half of
Americans say they prepare dinner using a
mix of scratch-cooked and semi-and fully
prepared items. "
The survey Roerink referenced was
conducted with 1,550 adult shoppers in May
2023. Results were presented at What's in
Store Live during IDDBA 2023, held June 4-6 in
Anaheim, Calif.
Unique flavors and textures in condiments
and marinades provide an appealing twist
to staple foods, according to Roerink. This
is something that quick-service restaurants
latched onto to appeal to different consumer
tastes. This has fueled innovation in the
packaged goods sector, with some meat and
poultry processors applying marinades to
case-ready meats. In other instances, retailers
merchandise marinades and condiments in
the meat department to provide home cooks
with an easy way to serve a novel version of a
classic dish.
A new version of swicy just started showing
up at Chick-fil-A. It's the company's first ever
twist on its beloved original chicken sandwich.
New Honey Pepper Pimento features the
chain's original chicken filet topped with a
creamy pimento cheese, mild pickled jalapeños
and a drizzle of sweet honey all atop a warm,
toasted bun.
" We wanted to create a standout sandwich
that would deliver a unique spin for our
guests, without losing the classic taste of the
Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, " said
Stuart Tracy, chef. " [The new sandwich] uses
ingredients and flavors our guests have never
experienced at Chick-fil-A before, balancing
savory, sweet and spicy elements. "
The custom-made pimento
cheese spread is made with sharp
cheddar cheese, green chilis and
red pimentos. The mildly pickled
jalapeños, an ingredient never
before sourced by the chain,
delivers just enough heat to
balance the sweet and salty
flavors, according to Chef
Tracy. The drizzle
of honey adds a
subtly sweet flavor to tie
everything together.
www.meatpoultry.com | 09.23 | MEAT+POULTRY
47
" We wanted
to create a
standout
sandwich that
would deliver
a unique spin
for our guests,
without losing
the classic
taste of the
Original
Chick-fil-A
Chicken
Sandwich. "
- CHEF STUART TRACY
5ph - stock.adobe.com, Chick-fil-A
http://www.meatpoultry.com
Meat+Poultry - September 2023

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