Majority of the Pakistanis (50 per cent) like to have normal amount of spices in their food as compared to the 23 percent of the respondents who claimed to like very spicy food. According to a Gillani Research Foundation survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan, 26 percent prefer to have less spicy or bland food.
Interestingly a higher percentage of respondents from Sindh (31 percent) and rural areas (24 percent) showed a preference for hot and spicy food. A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the country were asked "Some people like to eat very spicy food, some like it normally spiced, whereas others prefer to eat food with less amount of spices. What type of food do you like?" Around 50 percent said they like normal amount of spices in their food while one percent gave no response.
It should be borne in mind that South Asian cuisine is characterised by the abundant use of strong spices and aromatic flavours. Hence, what is considered regular amount of spices in Pakistani cuisine may be considered very spicy in other cuisines.
The data shows that a proportionately higher percentage of urbanites (54 percent) prefer normal spices. It is also seen that young people under 30 years of age like spicy food as compared to people more than 50 years of age who prefer their food to be slightly bland.
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