BY MARISA BUCOLO

Americans craved international experiences while being stuck at home in 2020, creating a new interest in familiar (and unfamiliar) global cuisines. Consumers grew interested in trying new flavors from regions all over the globe – specifically Asian flavors – including those from Vietnam. With this increased interest, LifeSpice explored Vietnamese flavors when developing our new blend, “Intrigued – Nuoc Cham”, inspired by the sweet and spicy dipping sauce. According to FSR Magazine*, those who currently enjoy Thai food have gained interest in the flavors of Vietnam, further bringing these flavors into mainstream snacking in the US. As far as additional pairings with Vietnamese flavors, Technomic* reports that red onion, jalapeno and ham are the three fastest growing flavors paired with Vietnamese, creating many possibilities to explore these regional flavors with some of your already favorite foods and ingredients.

An easy way to incorporate Vietnamese flavors into different dishes is by including Nuoc Cham, a delicious condiment with flavors of lime, chili, ginger and garlic. It is the perfect pairing for meat, veggies, noodles, fish, you name it! This sauce is so versatile, Eater* notes it’s the “Vietnamese ketchup”, acknowledging the flavor-enhancing power this sauce has on every food it touches. With this combination of lively flavors, LifeSpice’s “Intrigued – Nuoc Cham” blend adds sweet and spicy dimension to all dishes, from American chicken wings to other global favorites, such as refreshing Mexican Michelada or a peanut sauce to coat your favorite Asian dishes.

Want to try it for yourself? Request a sample so you can enjoy the following recipes prepared with this blend by our very own LifeSpice chefs.

*FSR Magasine: https://www.fsrmagazine.com/inspirations-southeast-asia

*Technomic: https://ignite.technomic.com/searchResults/menu/?&search=Vietnamese&id=8151

*Eater: https://pdx.eater.com/2021/1/22/22244896/nuoc-mam-cham-fish-sauce-dipping-sauce-vietnamese-vegan-mama-dut