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.
Read more News
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!
Most read in The Sun
"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.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Average age Brits meet their ‘best friend for life' is revealed in new study
THE average Brit met their best friend at age 19 – with one in 10 having had the same one since they were 10 years old. The research of 2,000 UK adults revealed 22 per cent met genuine friends for life between the ages of 11 to 15, making school the ultimate friendship factory. Advertisement 3 One in 10 meet their best friend when they are just 10 years old Credit: Will Ireland/PinPep Classrooms were the birthplace of 37 per cent of these best-friend connections, especially among Gen-Z and Trust (67 per cent), support through tough times (53 per cent), and a shared sense of humour (41 per cent), were identified as the glue that helps best friends stay together. To mark National Best Friends Day, Gemma Mattison, a spokesperson for Ferrero UK & Ireland, makers of the spread, said: 'Best friends are the people we laugh with, lean on, and share life's little moments with - and that's something worth celebrating.' Advertisement read more on friendship But remaining close isn't as easy as it once was - a third of those polled think it's harder to maintain adult friendships as they only manage to meet up with their best pals a few times a year (22 per cent). Just 13 per cent see their best friends on a weekly basis, and 17 per cent leave it as long as a year in between catch ups. And it seems busy life schedules are to blame, with 46 per cent believing it's because people are more unavailable now, so it is harder to find time to connect. Food continues to be a key ingredient to great friendships and spending time together, as almost half (45 per cent) maintain contact by going out for brunch and breakfast with their mate. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive According to the OnePoll study, ice cream tops the list as the ultimate friendship dessert; 27 per cent of Brits say it would be their forever go-to with their best friend, followed by chocolate cake (20 per cent) and cheesecake (16 per cent). The study also uncovered 13 per cent of adults aged over 65 have more than five best friends, whereas only six per cent of Gen Z has the same number. Almost half of the silent generation said they made their best friends after the age of 35, with one in 20 holding onto relationships from six to 10 years old. 3 Trust and support are two of the most important things in a friendship according to the study Credit: Will Ireland/PinPep Advertisement 3 Enjoying a bite to eat with your best friend is also one of the best ways of bonding Credit: Will Ireland/PinPep
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Lottery results and numbers: Lotto and Thunderball draw tonight, June 7, 2025
THE NATIONAL Lottery results are in and it's time to find out who has won a life-changing amount of money tonight ( June 7, 2025). Could tonight's jackpot see you handing in your notice, jetting off to the Bahamas or driving a new Porsche off a garage forecourt? 3 Could you win big tonight with the National Lottery? 3 Previous winners have gone on to build mansions and buy islands You can find out by checking your ticket against tonight's numbers below. Good luck! Tonight's National Lottery Lotto winning numbers are: 11, 17, 27, 30, 39, 46 and the Bonus Ball is 56 . Tonight's estimated jackpot is £3.9 million. Tonight's National Lottery Thunderball winning numbers are: 01, 05, 13, 17, 39 and the Thunderball is 08 . READ MORE ON LOTTO The first National Lottery draw was held on November 19 1994 when seven winners shared a jackpot of £5,874,778. The largest amount ever to be won by a single ticket holder was £42million, won in 1996. Gareth Bull, a 49-year-old builder, won £41million in November, 2020 and ended up knocking down his bungalow to make way for a luxury manor house with a pool. TOP 5 BIGGEST LOTTERY WINS ACROSS THE WORLD £1.308 billion (Powerball) on January 13 2016 in the US, for which three winning tickets were sold, remains history's biggest lottery prize £1.267 billion (Mega Million) a winner from South Carolina took their time to come forward to claim their prize in March 2019 not long before the April deadline £633.76 million (Powerball draw) from a winner from Wisconsin £625.76 million (Powerball) Mavis L. Wanczyk of Chicopee, Massachusetts claimed the jackpot in August 2017 £575.53 million (Powerball) A lucky pair of winners scooped the jackpot in Iowa and New York in October 2018 Sue Davies, 64, bought a lottery ticket to celebrate ending five months of shielding during the pandemic — and won £500,000. Most read in The Sun The biggest jackpot ever to be up for grabs was £66million in January last year, which was won by two lucky ticket holders. Another winner, Karl managed to bag £11million aged just 23 in 1996. The odds of winning the lottery are estimated to be about one in 14million - BUT you've got to be in it to win it. 3 Sandra Devine and her husband Mike won by chance - can you too?
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Moment 9 WW2 heroes mark 81st anniversary of D-Day with emotional trip to Normandy
FOUR World War Two heroes flew by private jet to France yesterday to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day. They joined five other veterans who were well enough to attend a moving service at the Advertisement 5 Nine veterans mark D-Day at the British Normandy Memorial Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 5 Four of the World War Two heroes flew by private jet to France to mark the 81st anniversary Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 5 The veterans watch a flyover at the memorial Credit: AFP Last year more than 40 heroes were there for the landmark 80th anniversary of the day Allied troops stormed Yesterday, The Sun was given exclusive access to fly with a quartet of veterans — all of them aged 99 and over — on a sleek 50-seat Embraer jet from Warton Aerodrome, Lancs. Among them were Sergeant Richard Brock, now 101, and Able Seaman Ken Benbow, who turns 100 next week. They were both at Normandy on June 6, 1944. Advertisement READ MORE UK NEWS Ken was off the north French coast on HMS Crane, and saw men die in the water all around him. Richard, a driver with the East Lancashire Regiment, came ashore with 130 comrades — only 19 returned home. He was honoured to pay tribute to the fallen yesterday. The retired master butcher, from Lancaster, said: 'When I landed on the beach just below where the Normandy Memorial stands now I was a young man of 20 who thought every day might be my last. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking 'I cannot believe here I am at 101. "We are just their spokesmen. Hopefully we will be able to come here one more time.' Iconic RAF Red Arrows jets in danger of being replaced by Russian planes loved by Putin in move slammed as 'unthinkable' The jet was provided by BAE Systems, which employs 12,000 people in Preston. Also on board the flight to Caen Airport were former Fleet Air Arm Petty Officer George Boothby, 100, and Marjorie Hanson, 102. Advertisement She, like the late Queen Elizabeth II, served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and helped supply the D-Day landings. The nine veterans were joined by Defence Secretary Mr Healey listened in awe to the veterans' stories. He later told The Sun at the Bayeux War Cemetery: 'The lesson to draw from the Second World War is never again can we contemplate the huge human and economic cost that it inflicted. Advertisement "We see that in the darkest, strongest terms in these cemeteries. 'What it says to me is that with the allies that we forged in the Second World War, we must band together and we must be strong enough to deter any adversary, any aggression that might be directed at us in the future .' 5 Among the heroes were Sergeant Richard Brock, now 101, and Marjorie Hanson, 102, who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun 5 The veterans were joined by Defence Secretary John Healey for an emotional ceremony at the memorial Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Advertisement
