**Gen Z Unwilling to Admit Defeat When it Comes to Spicy Food, New Study Reveals**
Spicy food can often cause lively debates at the dinner table and now, fresh research has uncovered intriguing differences in spice tolerance across generations in the UK. The findings, stemming from a survey of 2,000 adults, suggest that younger adults—specifically those in the so-called Gen Z bracket, aged 18 to 28—are the most likely to rate themselves as highly tolerant of spicy food. Yet, under the surface, it appears that pride and perceptions among peers play a major role in how these young adults handle the heat.
According to the data, 43 per cent of Gen Z respondents claimed that their spice tolerance was either ‘high’ or ‘very high’, topping all other age demographics. To provide some perspective, only 37 per cent of Millennials felt the same, followed by just 31 per cent from Generation X, and a mere 24 per cent among Baby Boomers.
Interestingly, the research, commissioned by bakery brand St Pierre to coincide with the introduction of its Spicy Chilli Brioche Buns, also revealed a certain bravado among Gen Z. More than one in ten members of this group admitted to consistently choosing the spiciest option available when dining out. However, nearly half of Gen Z respondents said that if they found a dish too spicy, they would pretend to handle it rather than admit defeat in front of their peers. Around a third confessed they would feel embarrassed to acknowledge their limits with spicy food.
This contrast in behaviour is stark when compared to older generations. Seventy per cent of Baby Boomers stated they have never hidden their inability to cope with spice. They seem to face such culinary challenges more openly, whereas Gen Z reported at a rate of eight in ten that they had, at least once, covered up their struggle with spicy food. This disparity highlights a generational shift in how personal pride and social expectations influence even the most mundane eating experiences.
A spokesperson for St Pierre commented on the research: “It’s fascinating to watch how the relationship with spicy food evolves between age groups. Younger generations seem particularly motivated not just by adventurous eating, but by a need to maintain a certain image around their peers. On the other hand, older adults appear less preoccupied with pride at the dinner table and more focused on honesty and enjoyment.”
Despite the generational bravado, some motivations are fairly universal. One in five respondents reported that they’d always finish a spicy meal even if it made them visibly uncomfortable. The reasons? Twenty-eight per cent didn’t want to waste food, twenty-six per cent wanted to avoid insulting the chef, and twenty-one per cent feared being labelled too picky.
Millennials, too, are represented in the findings as prominent fans of heat; 18 per cent admitted to regularly adding hot sauce to their meals, and nearly half (45 per cent) said they believe spice makes dishes more flavourful. Additionally, 76 per cent of Millennials are open to experimenting with new and spicy foods, more than any other generation surveyed.
However, an appetite for spice isn’t always a unifying force. The survey found that spice tolerance can actually lead to friction at mealtimes, with 47 per cent of Millennials and a notable 57 per cent of Gen Zers admitting to disputes over what dishes to order due to varying acceptance of spice.
Ultimately, whether someone is a self-professed spice enthusiast or prefers milder tastes, the research illustrates the role food plays in shaping both identity and social interaction. As the spokesperson for St Pierre succinctly put it, “Regardless of where your tastes lie, being open to new flavours can make the everyday a little more magnifique.”
The differences illuminated by this study provide food for thought about how changing attitudes towards cuisine are tied to both generational identity and social dynamics, with Gen Z seemingly leading with pride – whether it’s genuine, or just some cleverly concealed discomfort.