A kick!!

Context #1  

Tom: What are you doing?

Chris: I'm putting Tabasco sauce in my humus.

Tom: Why?

Chris: Well, the humus tastes good, but it needs a little kick.

Context #2

Suzie: What did you order?

Teresa: I ordered the Thai green curry.

Suzie: I've had that before.  I hope you like spicy food because that green curry really has a kick.

Meaning: "a kick" is a common American expression that means a spicy component when it comes to food.  It is usually used with the verbs "to have," "to need" and "to give."   

http://languagesystems.edu/