The fusion of contrasting flavors captivates food enthusiasts. Leading this flavor revolution is the sweet-meets-heat combination. Riding this wave of innovation, we're thrilled to introduce Ducktrap's newest addition to our premium smoked salmon varieties: Hot Honey Smoked Salmon.
The hot honey trend has gained momentum across restaurant menus, home kitchens, and social media feeds. This delicious contradiction, the marriage of sweet honey with spicy heat, creates a familiar and surprising flavor experience. This exciting balance makes our new hot honey smoked salmon a game-changer for everything from casual snacking to elegant entertaining.
According to flavor research, this sweet-meets-spicy flavor trend (called "swicy") is making a significant impact, with "nearly 10% of U.S. restaurants offering swicy menu items" and a projected market growth of "9.6% in the next four years." This trend is particularly popular among Gen Z and Millennials seeking adventurous eating experiences.1
Whether you're building a vibrant charcuterie board or craving a warm, comforting bite, our new Ducktrap hot honey smoked salmon arrives in two distinct styles to perfectly match your culinary needs.
Our Hot Honey Cold Smoked Salmon undergoes our traditional cold smoking process, which preserves the silky, delicate texture that salmon lovers cherish. The fish is smoked at temperatures below 90°F, allowing it to maintain its raw-like texture while absorbing our signature four-wood smoke blend. We then apply our proprietary hot honey seasoning, combining a careful balance of sweet honey notes with a warming heat that builds gradually.
Our Hot Honey Smoke Roasted Salmon is cooked at higher temperatures after being infused with our signature smoke. The result is a firmer, flakier texture with a deeper flavor profile. The hot honey seasoning paired with smoke roasted salmon creates a complex flavor experience that's both bold and nuanced.
What sets Ducktrap's hot honey smoked salmon apart is our carefully developed four-wood smoking process. This proprietary blend combines:
Maple - Providing a subtle sweetness that enhances the honey notes
Oak - Offering robust foundational smoke flavors that stand up to the heat
Apple - Contributing light, fruity notes that brighten the overall profile
Cherry - Adding depth and complexity that rounds out the experience
This balanced smoke profile works in harmony with the hot honey seasoning so neither the sweetness nor the heat overpowers the natural richness of the salmon. It's this attention to detail that has made Ducktrap a trusted name in premium smoked seafood for over 45 years.
Our commitment to quality begins with our source. The Atlantic salmon in our hot honey products comes from our parent company MOWI's carefully managed aquaculture facilities, where sustainability and traceability are paramount. These salmon are raised in cold, clear waters, fed a nutritious diet, and harvested at peak quality.
The result is consistently excellent salmon with the optimal fat content and flavor profile for our hot honey concept. This farm-to-table transparency ensures that every bite delivers the premium experience our customers expect.
Our new hot honey smoked salmon arrives fully prepared, offering a premium culinary experience without any prep work, a true luxury in today's fast-paced world.
For home entertainers, this means impressive appetizers with minimal effort. For busy professionals, it means elevating a simple meal with a protein that's both convenient and sophisticated. For restaurant operators, it means consistent quality and reduced prep time without sacrificing culinary standards.
Are you tired of one-dimensional ingredients that limit your menu or entertaining options? Ducktrap's ready-to-eat smoked salmon innovation delivers bold, sweet-heat flavor without compromising convenience or quality, from elevating breakfast bagels to transforming dinner plates.
Our new hot honey smoked salmon taps into a major trend: the love for sweet and spicy flavors. Over half of US consumers are already fans or eager to try this exciting combination, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge in seeking out new and bold tastes.6
The hot honey trend isn't slowing down; it's surging. Restaurant menu appearances have skyrocketed by over 111% since 2019, and this initially pizza-and-chicken phenomenon is now naturally extending into premium seafood. Compelling research even shows that consumers are as or more likely to buy sweet and spicy flavors than traditionally spicy ones.6
Ducktrap's Hot Honey Smoked Salmon is rolling out nationwide this month. Look for the cold smoked and smoke roasted varieties in the refrigerated seafood section of premium grocery stores. The distinctive packaging makes it easy to spot: just look for the bold "Hot Honey" callout on our classic Ducktrap packaging. For those who prefer online shopping, our new flavor is also available through select e-commerce partners.
Whether you're an adventurous home cook, a busy professional seeking elevated convenience foods, or a culinary professional looking for innovative ingredients, Ducktrap's Hot Honey Smoked Salmon offers a delicious new way to experience premium seafood. The question isn't whether to try it, but how many ways you'll enjoy it.
Want to buy some Ducktrap?
