While eating spiced foods shouldn't add to the food variety bonus in any way it could be an interesting way to help players find the foods they like by giving them one of four preferred spice levels: plain, salty, peppered, and spicy hot. Of course, not all dishes would benefit from all spices. How can you make salty salads without them wilting in the bowl? No one would add pepper or jalapenos to porridge, and so on.