# Piquant Confection Sweet and spicy dessert options rise in popularity. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Aug 13, 2018 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/piquant-confection ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.6/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Piquant Confection trend? **Piquant Confection:** With the rise of experimental food consumption has come the popularity of spicy desserts. These products are able to pique the interest of those entrenched in foodie culture, while also retaining a sense of familiarity for consumers who are less curious or experimental in their consumption choices. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 12, 2017 to Jul 27, 2018 - Published: Aug 13, 2018 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Piquant Confection trend ### Spicy Desserts Spicy desserts are gaining popularity in experimental food consumption, creating an opportunity for food and beverage companies to experiment with unique flavor combinations. ### Veggie-Infused Ice Cream The practice of including vegetables in dairy products like ice cream is becoming increasingly common, presenting an opportunity for food companies to offer creative flavor combinations to health-conscious consumers. ### Ultra-Spicy Foods The launch of ultra-spicy food items, such as the Carolina Reaper-infused ice cream, is appealing to adventurous foodies, further strengthening the trend for very spicy foods, and creating an opportunity for food companies to experiment with unique hot and spicy flavors. ## What the Piquant Confection trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Food and beverage companies can experiment with unique flavor combinations to tap into the rising popularity of spicy and vegetable-infused desserts. ### For CBD-infused Foods Cannabis-based food products, including THC-infused chocolate bars, present a growing opportunity for entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. ### For Restaurant Industry With Flamin’ Hot Cheetos ice creams, cupcakes, and other experimental food combinations, restaurateurs can draw in adventurous foodies while crafting unique and novel culinary treats. ## Workshop question Consider a surprise element your brand could insert into its products/services? ## Trend signals for Piquant Confection Trend score 2.6 out of 10, from popularity 30%, activity 40%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 30% - Activity: 40% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Piquant Confection trend 5 featured examples from Aug 12, 2017 to Jul 27, 2018. - [Fiery Pepper-Infused Ice Cream](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-ice-cream): The Aldwych Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor Serves Ultra-Spicy Ice Cream (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can explore creating and marketing spicy desserts, such as spicy ice cream, to cater to consumers seeking unique and bold flavors. - [Spicy Snack Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drilld-ice-cream): Drill’d Ice Cream Serves Ice Cream Blended with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Ice cream brands can experiment with unconventional flavors like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to create unique products. - [Sweet Corn Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruit-and-vegetable-dessert): This Fruit and Vegetable Dessert Blends Sweet Corn and Berries (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Incorporating fruit and vegetable ingredients into various food and beverage products. - [Spicy THC Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-thc-chocolate): This THC-Infused Chocolate Bar Contains New Mexican Chipotle (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore innovative and unique flavors, ingredients, and product formats within the cannabis edibles market. - [Spicy Cheese Puff Cupcakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flamin-hot-cheetos-cupcake): Sprinkles' New Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Cupcake is a Fiery Dessert (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Bakeries have an opportunity to experiment with new flavor combinations and introduce unique and unconventional baked goods to cater to changing consumer preferences. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)