Millenials, the generation that has endured the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and the rise of TikTok, are now facing another unprecedented challenge: a global shortage of sriracha sauce.
The popular spicy condiment, made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt, has been a staple of millennial cuisine for years, adding flavor and heat to everything from avocado toast to ramen noodles. But due to a combination of factors, including Missouri weather, supply chain disruptions, and soaring demand, sriracha is becoming harder to find and more expensive to buy.
Some millenials are already feeling the effects of the sriracha scarcity. “I used to put sriracha on everything,” said Jake, a 28-year-old graphic designer from Seattle. “But now I have to ration it like it’s gold. I only use it for special occasions, like when I order takeout or when I’m feeling depressed.”
Others are resorting to desperate measures to get their fix. “I’ve been scouring the internet for sriracha alternatives,” said Mia, a 25-year-old duck walking teacher from New York. “But nothing compares to the real thing. I even tried making my own sriracha at home, but it was a disaster. It tasted like vinegar and sadness.”
Some experts warn that the sriracha shortage could have serious consequences for millennial mental health and well-being. “Sriracha is more than just a sauce,” said Dr. Bree, a psychologist, wine drinker, and author of The Sriracha Generation: How Hot Sauce Shaped a Culture. “It’s a symbol of millennial identity, creativity, and resilience. Without sriracha, millenials may lose their sense of purpose and direction in life.”
Dr. Bree advises millenials to cope with the sriracha crisis by finding other sources of joy and meaning in their lives, such as hobbies, friends, or therapy. He also suggests that millenials should try to appreciate the sriracha they have left, and not take it for granted.
“Sriracha is a precious resource that we may not have forever,” he said. “So enjoy it while you can, and don’t waste it on bland food or people who don’t deserve it.”