Gen Z can handle hottest food – but would never admit it if they couldn't, study reveals
GEN Z can handle the hottest food but would never admit it if they couldn't, a new poll has revealed.
A study of 2,000 adults found those aged 18-28 have the highest endurance for fiery dishes, with 43 per cent rating their own spice tolerance as 'high' or 'very high'.
This compares to just 37 per cent of Millenials, 31 per cent of Gen Z, and only 24 per cent of Boomers.
More than one in 10 of Gen Z will also go for the hottest option on the menu, something only 3 per cent of their Boomer counterparts do.
But, even if they could handle the heat, 49 per cent of Gen Z would at least pretend to eat something hot even if they didn't want to.
This is to avoid looking "weak" in front of their friends.
On the other hand, despite Boomers being self-proclaimed softies when it comes to spice, 65 per cent felt no embarrassment in not being able to handle their heat.
A spokesperson for bakery brand St Pierre, commissioned the research to launch its new Spicy Chilli Brioche Buns.
They said: "It's interesting to see how enjoyment and endurance of fiery foods changes between generations.
"Whilst it may be that the younger generations are more adventurous, they may just also be more committed to saving face!
"Spicy food seems to be a matter of pride for the young, and we can see why – but it's also great to see the commonalities across generations around not wanting to offend a chef or waste good food – at St Pierre we encourage everyone to 'eat avec respect', after all.
'And even for those that can't handle the heat, we're confident everyone can afford to add a little bit of extra spice to their life.'
The study also found that 71 per cent of Boomers claimed to have never hidden the fact they've found something too spicy.
But 82 per cent of their Gen Z counterparts have done this at some point.
This is because they don't want to waste food (28 per cent), offend the cook (26 per cent), or seem too picky (21 per cent).
A third of them even said they're embarrassed when they can't handle something spicy with one in five "always" finishing a dish even if they were visibly sweating.
It's no surprise then that over half of Gen Z are happy to show off their superior spice tolerance with 15 per cent saying they eat something spicy at least once every day.
It also emerged that 18 per cent of Millenials will put hot sauce on just about anything with 45 per cent saying it enhances the flavour of the dish.
This group were also the most open to trying new food, with over three quarters keen to test out spicy flavours specifically, according to OnePoll.com data.
This can lead to some heated conversation as 47 per cent of Millenials and 57 per cent of Gen Z have disagreed with someone about what to eat because of the difference in spice tolerance.
This compares to only 11 per cent of Boomers, 48 per cent of whom never disagree with someone about what they should eat.
A spokesperson for St Pierre added: "At the end of the day, good food is something that brings us all together – no matter your age.
'Whether you're a spice fiend or a mild gourmand, being curious about and trying new flavours can immediately make a dull day that little bit more magnifique.'
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