Consumers Warm to Hot, Spicy Food

Kalsec uses its own HeatSync Heat Indexes to track more than 30 different peppers in global new product development.

jalapeno, flames American and European consumers continue to seek out hot and spicy foods and beverages, according to recent postings by the U.S. and EU HeatSync Heat Indexes. The Kalsec HeatSync Heat Indexes are measurement tools that follow usage of more than 30 different peppers. In collaboration with market data from Mintel’s Menu Insights and the Global New Products Database (GNPD), the U.S. index evaluates more than 2,400 restaurant food and drink menus. In the first six months of 2013, the Kalsec U.S. and EU HeatSync Heat Indexes both posted strong increases, with the U.S. index up 38%, and the EU index increasing 26% over the previous six months. Popular jalapeno and cayenne peppers led the strong U.S. growth during the six-month period. The index is named after the Kalsec HeatSync Systems, which are designed to control the timing, intensity and location on the palate of heat (pungency) delivered for specific application requirements. Additional Kalsec heat-management innovations include Szechuan pepper extract, ClearCap Super Soluble capsicum, encapsulated extracts and a complete line of specialty peppers.