Hold onto your spice racks, Ireland! A new study from Sprite reveals a sizzling snapshot of the nation’s spice preferences, and it turns out, not all taste buds are created equal.
Millennials are embracing the inferno, while Gen Z prefers a more moderate spice adventure (but don’t underestimate their spice bag obsession).
The nationwide survey uncovered a fiery landscape of spice consumption, with 91% declaring their love for all things spicy. But when it comes to preferred heat levels, a generational divide emerges. Millennials (25-34) are cranking up the Scoville scale, showing a greater penchant for “Hot” and “Very Hot” options compared to their Gen Z (18-24) counterparts, who favour a more “Medium” heat.
Home is where the heat is, as most people (71%) prefer enjoying spicy food in the comfort of their own kitchens. And what are these spice enthusiasts washing down their fiery feasts with? Females significantly favour water (72%) as their beverage of choice with spicy food, compared to males (61%) who are more likely to choose carbonated drinks.
Chinese takeaway remains the undisputed champion of takeaway night in Ireland, but a star dish is emerging from within its delicious ranks: the spice bag. A whopping 79% of respondents declared their love for this crispy, spicy sensation, and nearly half (49%) are ready to take their devotion to the next level with a National Spice Bag Day. This groundswell of spice bag adoration confirms its status as a true icon of Irish Chinese takeaway, a must-have menu item that’s capturing the hearts (and stomachs) of Ireland.
Contrary to belief, for those first 30 seconds of mouth-on-fire madness, Sprite is just as good as milk at cooling things down according to an experiment carried out in 2024. And guess what? It’s even better than plain ol’ water (sparkling or still) at putting out that initial blaze. So, whether you’re bravely battling some fiery wings, diving headfirst into a Spice Bag, or sizzling up some fajitas, remember this: Sprite is your spicy wingman!