fricy adjective
/ˈfraɪ.si/
having a taste that is both fruity and spicy

“Fricy” is 2026’s defining food trend, fusing fruity and spicy flavours in bold, new ways. Born out of a growing appetite for contrast-driven flavours, fricy food distinguishes itself by leaning into an intensified interplay of heat and sweetness, resulting in dishes that are sharper, more vibrant, and impossible to ignore compared to traditional spicy or fruity fare.
[oteats.outlooktraveller.com, 25 January 2026]

swangy adjective
/ˈswæŋ.i/
having a taste that is both sweet and tangy

Swangy foods will have chefs thinking outside the box, too, creating foods that are the best of both worlds. These two flavor profiles balance each other out, with tangy ingredients brightening sweet ingredients, and sweet ingredients mellowing out the sharpness of mouth-puckering notes.
[tastingtable.com, 17 January 2026]

spour adjective
UK /spaʊəʳ/ US /spaʊr/
having a taste that is both spicy and sour

The world of drinks is also moving in the same direction, adopting spicy and sour variations that reinterpret well-known classics. This has led to the creation of cocktails known as “spour,” where spicy and citrus flavors meet, and ingredients such as Tajín become a permanent fixture on the rims of glasses. The success of these flavors reflects a more curious public, less fearful of spice and increasingly attracted to immediate but layered taste experiences.
[reportergourmet.com, 8 January 2026]

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