Flavour Pairing Guide

 

Creativity and imagination is part of the fun of flavour pairing. Be adventurous and open to new flavours, go ahead and try unique combinations... You never know... You may just create the next big flavour trend!

As a rule of thumb, desserts usually only have one or two predominant flavour pairs, and some may have small amounts of additional flavour elements to help support the main flavour profile. Try to avoid combining too many flavours together as this can result in muting flavours to the point where flavours are cancelled out.

Allspice pairs well with: Apples, Caramel, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger,  Nuts, Nutmeg, Pears, Pumpkin, Root Vegetables, Yams.

Almond pairs well with: Apple, Apricot, Banana, Caramel, Cherry, Coffee, Fig, Honey, Orange, Peach, Pear, Plum

Anise pairs well with: Apples,Caramel, Carrots, Chocolate, Citrus, Cinnamon, Coconut,  Cranberry, Fennel, Figs,  Peaches, Pomegranates, Pumpkin

Apple pairs well with: Blackberry, Blackcurrant  Cranberry, Dates, Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Oranges, Pear, Pumpkin, Rhubarb, Allspice, Anise, Brown Sugar, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger, Lavender, Nutmeg, Tea, Vanilla, Amaretto, Brandy,  Grand Marnier, Rum,  Wine, Almond, Bacon, Caramel, Chestnut, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple Syrup, Marzipan, Oatmeal, Pecan, Walnut

Apricot pairs well with: Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Boysenberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Dates, Figs, Guava, Lemon, Orange, Peach, Pineapple, Plum, Raisin, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cardamom, Dill, Ginger, Orange Blossom Water, Tea, Vanilla, Amaretto, Brandy, Bourbon, Nut Flavored Liqueurs, Orange Liqueur, Dessert Wines, White Wine. Almond, Bacon, Caramel, Coconut, Fennel, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Marzipan, Oatmeal, Pistachio, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Asian Pear pairs well with: Almond, Apple, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger, Honey, Macadamia, Nutmeg, Raisin, Vanilla

Banana pairs well with: Apricot, Blueberry, Cherry, Date, Fig, Guava, Kiwi, Lime, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Tea, Brandy, Cognac, Bourbon, Rum, Caramel, Coconut,  Coffee, Creme Fraiche, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Maple, Oatmeal, Pecan, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Blackberry pairs well with: Apple, Boysenberry, Elderberry, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Melon, Nectarine, Peach, Pear, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Tangerine, Cinnamon, Ginger, Mint, Tea, Vanilla, Brandy, Cognac, Bourbon,  Liqueur-berry flavored, Rum, Almond, Cream Cheese, Creme Fraiche, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Oatmeal, White chocolate

Black Currant pairs well with: Apple, Boysenberry, Cherry, Figs, Peach, Pear, Prune, Raspberry, Strawberry, Basil, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Tea, Brandy, Bourbon, White Wine, Almond, Brie, Carrot, Fennel, Honey.

Blood Orange pairs well with: Almond, Cardamom, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Clove, Fig, Ginger, Honey, Citrus.

Blueberry pairs well with: Berries, Cardamom, Mango, Lemon, Hazelnut, Ginger, Fig Lavender, other Citrus

Butternut Squash pairs well with: sage and rosemary, either of which can be used fresh or in dried form. The warm “pie spices” of nutmeg and ginger are a good match for butternut squash, both underlining and balancing its sweetness. For a savoury approach, consider cumin. Chillies provide sweet-and-spicy flavor combination. The naturally sweet taste of butternut squash is enhanced when paired with fruit, such as fresh and dried apples, fresh pear, orange juice and dried cranberries.

Cardamom pairs well with: Apples, Bananas, Caramel, Citrus fruit, Coconut, Ice creams, Nuts, Mango, Allspice, Almond, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander,  Dates, Ginger,  Pears, Pepper, Star Anise.

Cherry pairs well with: Apricot, Banana, Currant, Fig, Kiwi, Lychee, Lemon, Nectarine, Peach, Pineapple, Plum, Quince, Cardamom, Chai, Cinnamon, Ginger, Jasmine, Mace, Mint, Nutmeg, Orange Blossom Water, Tea, Vanilla, Amaretto, Armagnac, Brandy, Champagne, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Muscat, Port, Rum, Almond, Caramel, Coconut, Cream Cheese, Dark Chocolate,Hazelnut, Marzipan,  Oatmeal, Pecan, Walnut, White Chocolate

Chestnut pairs well with: Apple, Caramel, Chocolate, Coffee, Pear, Vanilla

Chocolate pairs well with: Oranges, Nuts, Allspice, Almond, Aniseed, Cinnamon, Clove, Fennel seed, Ginger, Lemongrass, Mint, Nutmeg,  Vanilla

Cinnamon pairs well with: Allspice, Apples, Bananas, Cantaloupe, Caraway, Cardamom, Clove, Cacao, Chilies, Caramel,  Chocolate, Corn, Curries, Coffee, Coriander, Cranberry, Cumin, Dates, Figs, Ginger, Mint, Nutmeg, Grapes, Oranges, Peaches, Pears, Winter Squash, Star Anise, Vanilla

Clove pairs well with: Allspice, Apples, Bay Leaf, Cakes, Cardamom, Cacao, Carrots, Chocolate, Citrus, Fennel, Ginger,  Nutmeg, Orange, Peaches, Pineapple, Pumpkin, Star anise, Vanilla

Coconut pairs well with: Allspice, Banana, Basil, Black Pepper, Brazil nut, Caramel, Chocolate, Citrus, Cumin, Ginger, Guava, Lemongrass, Passion Fruit,Pineapple, Vanilla

Cranberry pairs well with: apple, chocolate, cinnamon, citrus, mango, mint, pear Apple, Lemon, Orange, Peach, Pear, Persimmon, Pumpkin, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Orange Blossom Water, Vanilla Amaretto, Brandy, Grand Marnier, Almond, Carrot, Goat Cheese, Hazelnut, Honey, Mozzarella, Oatmeal, Pistachio, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Elderberry pairs well with: Blackberry, Blueberry, Boysenberry, Gooseberry, Lime, Orange, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry, Tangerine, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Brandy, White Wine, Brandy, White Wine, Almond, Creme Fraiche, Dark Chocolate, Honey, Vanilla

Fig pairs well with: Apple, Banana, Cherry, Date, Guava, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Orange, Pear, Peach, Prune, Quince, Raisin, Raspberry, Anise, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Lavender, Mace, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme, Vanilla, Brandy, Chambord, Cognac, Curacao, Bourbon, Red Wine, Rum, Sherry, Almond, Blue Cheese, Brie, Caramel, Chestnut, Coconut, Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Goat Cheese, Hazelnut, Honey, Marzipan, Oatmeal, Pecan, Pistachio, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Ginger pairs well with: Allspice, Almond, Anise, Apple, Apricot, Banana, Basil, Berries, Brazil nut, Caramel, Carrots, Chives, Chocolate, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Citrus, Cloves, Coconut, Coriander, Cranberry,  Grape, Hazelnut, Passion Fruit, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, Nutmeg, Onion, peaches, pears, pepper, pumpkin, raisins, turmeric, vanilla

Grape pairs well with: Blackberry, Lemon, Melon, Orange, Pear, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cinnamon, Mint, Peppermint, Rose Water, Tea, Brandy, Bourbon, Sherry, White Wine, Almond, Blue Cheese, Brie, Carrot, Creme Fraiche, Gruyere, Hazelnut, Honey, Pecan, White Chocolate.

Grapefruit pairs well with: Banana, Blood Orange, Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Melon, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Camomile, Cardamom, Cilantro, Ginger, Mint, Orange Blossom Water, Rosemary, Peppermint, Tea, Campari, Champagne, Cointreau, Gin, Sherry, Vodka, White Wine, Avocado, Caramel, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Gruyere, Honey, Pecan, Walnut.

Guava pairs well with: Banana, Cherry, Coconut, Lemon, Lime, Lychee, Mango, Orange, Strawberry, Tangerine, Basil, Ginger, Juniper, Lavender, Mint, Poppyseed, Rum, Vodka, White Wine, Brie, Carrot, Coconut, Cream Cheese, Dark Chocolate, Gruyere, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Vanilla, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Hazelnut pairs well with: Apple, Apricot, Banana, Berries, Caramel, Cherry, Chocolate, Citrus, Fig, Mandarin, Peach, Pear,Plum

Kiwi pairs well with: Apple, Banana, Berries, Cherry, Citrus, Coconut, Mango, Tropical fruit Apple, Banana, Cherry, Lemon, Lime,  Lychee, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Strawberry, Tangerine, Cardamom, Camomile, Lavender, Orange Blossom Water. Avocado,  Coconut, Cucumber, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Pecan,  Walnut, White Chocolate.

Lemon pairs well with: Apple, Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Currant, Elderberry, Grapefruit, Grape, Guava, Kumquat, Lime, Mango, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pear, Plum, Prune, Quince, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Anise, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cumin, Ginger, Jasmine, Lavender, Mace, Mint, Tea, Thyme, Vanilla. Gin, Rum, White Wine, Almond, Caramel, Chestnut, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Goat Cheese, Hazelnut, Honey,  Oats, Pecan, Pine Nut, Pistachio, Poppyseed, Ricotta, Walnut.

Lime pairs well with: Apricot, Banana, Date, Fig, Elderberry, Grapefruit, Guava, Kumquat, Lemon, Lychee, Orange, Mango, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Persimmon, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry, Anise, Basil, Camomile, Cardamom, Cilantro, Juniper, Lavender, Tea, Vanilla, Brandy, Cognac, Gin, Rum, Sauternes, Tequila, Vodka, Caramel, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Fennel, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Maple.

Lychee pairs well with: Citrus, Ginger, Gooseberry, Tropical fruit, Vanilla

Mandarin pairs well with: Cardamom, Cherry, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Coffee, Fig, Ginger, Nutmeg, Tropical fruits, Vanilla, Star Anise

Mango pairs well with: Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pear, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry, Tangerine, Anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mint, Peppermint, Rose Water, Vanilla, Almond, Brie, Caramel, Coconut, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Sesame, White Chocolate.

Melon pairs well with: berries, citrus, lemongrass, lemon verbena

Nutmeg pairs well with: Allspice, Asparagus, Cabbage, Cardamom, Carrots, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coffee, Coriander, Cranberries, Ginger, Peaches, Pumpkin, Vanilla

Nectarine pairs well with: Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Fig, Lemon, Orange, Peach, Plum, Raspberry, Strawberry, Anise, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Lavender, Mace, Mint, Orange Blossom Water, Rosemary, Vanilla, Brandy, Cassis, Cognac, Cointreau, Kirsch, Rum, White Wine, Almond, Caramel, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Feta, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Mascarpone, Oats, Pecan, Pistachio, White Chocolate.

Orange pairs well with: Apple, Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Date, Elderberry, Fig, Gooseberry, Grapefruit, Guava, Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pear, Persimmon, Plum, Pomegranate, Prune,  Pumpkin, Quince, Raisin, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Anise, Basil, Cardamom, Chipotle, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Dill, Ginger, Lavender, Mace, Nutmeg, Rose Water, Tea, Thyme, Vanilla, Amaretto, Bourbon, Brandy, Calvados, Cassis, Chambord, Champagne, Cognac, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Port, Rum, Sherry, Whiskey, Wine, Almond, Caramel, Chestnut, Coconut, Coffee, Cream Cheese, Dark Chocolate, Fennel, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Marzipan, Oatmeal, Pecan, Pistachio, Poppyseed, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Passion Fruit pairs well with: Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry, Ginger, Lemon Grass, Mint, Peppermint, Rose Water, Tea, Vanilla, Amaretto, Brandy, Champagne, White Wine, Almond, Blue Cheese, Brie, Caramel, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Fennel, Macadamia, White Chocolate.

Peach pairs well with: Apricot, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Currant, Fig, Lemon, Lime, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Plum, Raspberry, Strawberry, Basil, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mint, Peppermint, Tea, Vanilla, Bourbon, Brandy, Calvados, Cassis, Chambord, Champagne, Cognac, Cointreau, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Madeira, Port, Rum, Sherry, Wine, Almond, Caramel, Coconut, Creme Fraiche, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Marzipan, Oats, Pecan, Pistachio, Praline, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Pear pairs well with: Apple, Blackberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Currant, Date, Fig, Lemon, Lingonberry, Orange, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Prune, Quince, Raisin, Raspberry, Tangerine, Anise, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mace, Nutmeg, Orange Blossom Water, Peppermint, Tea, Vanilla, Amaretto, Armagnac,  Bourbon, Brandy, Calvados, Cassis, Curacao, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Marsala, Poire William, Port, Red Wine, Rum, White Wine, Almond,  Brie, Caramel, Cheddar, Chestnut, Creme Fraiche, Dark Chocolate, Feta, Goat Cheese, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Maple, Marzipan, Oat, Pecan, Pistachio, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Pineapple pairs well with: Apricot, Banana, Cherry, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lime, Mango, Melon, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Raspberry, Strawberry, Camomile, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mint, Brandy, Cognac, Bourbon, Kirsch, Muscat, Rum, Almond, Brie, Caramel, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Maple, Peanut.

Plum pairs well with: Cherry, Cranberry, Fig, Kumquat, Lemon, Nectarine, Orange, Peach, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Anise, Basil, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Dill, Ginger, Mace, Nutmeg, Rose Water, Vanilla, Amaretto, Brandy, Cognac, Frangelico, Gin, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Rum, Wine, Almond, Blue Cheese, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Marzipan, Pecan, Sesame, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Pomegranate pairs well with: Apple, Citrus, Cucumber, Mint, Tropical fruit (yummy with vodka too)

Prickly Pear pairs well with: Citrus, Lime, Tropical fruit.

Pumpkin pairs well with: Apple, Cranberry, Kiwi, Kumquat, Orange, Pomegranate, Raisin, Raspberry, Strawberry, Tangerine, Allspice, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mace, Nutmeg, Sage, Thyme, Vanilla,  Bourbon, Brandy, Cassis, Chambord, Cognac, Curacao, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, Rum, Sherry, Bacon, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Coconut, Cream Cheese, Gruyere, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Molasses, Pecan, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Raspberry pairs well with: Apple, Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Currant, Elderberry, Fig, Gooseberry, Grapefruit, Grape, Lemon, Lime, Lychee, Mango, Melon, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, Quince, Raspberry, Rhubarb,  Strawberry, Tangerine, Basil, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Mint, Nutmeg, Orange Blossom Water, Peppermint, Tea, Vanilla, Amaretto, Brandy, Cassis, Calvados, Chambord, Champagne, Cognac, Curacao, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Port, Rum, Sauternes, Wine , Almond, Brie, Caramel, Coconut, Cream Cheese, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Honey, Macadamia, Maple,  Pecan, Pistachio, White Chocolate.

Rose water pairs well with: Saffron, Cardamom, Jasmine, Almonds, Pistachios and Coconuts.

Rosemary pairs well with: Apples, Basil, Citrus, Cranberry, Fennel, Grains,  Narjoram, Parsley

Rhubarb pairs well with: Apple, Blackberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Pear, Plum, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Mace, Pepper, Vanilla, Brandy, Bourbon, Chambord, Cognac, Curacao, Kirsch, Rum, Sherry, White Wine, Blue Cheese, Caramel, Creme Fraiche, Goat Cheese, Hazelnut, Honey,  Oat, Pecan, White Chocolate.

Strawberry pairs well with: Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Currant, Elderberry, Fig, Grapefruit, Guava, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Lychee, Mango, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Peach, Pineapple, Plum, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Allspice, Anise, Balsamic, Basil, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Mint, Nutmeg, Orange Blossom Water, Peppermint, Rose Water, Tea, Amaretto, Brandy, Cassis, Champagne, Cognac, Curacao, Grand Marnier, Kirsch, Port, Rum, Sambuca, Sherry, Tequila, Wine, Almond, Blue Cheese, Caramel, Coconut, Cream Cheese, Creme Fraiche, Dark Chocolate, Gruyere, Hazelnut, Honey, Maple, Marzipan, Pecan, Pistachio, Violet, Walnut, White Chocolate.

Walnut pairs well with: Apple, Apricot, Banana, Caramel, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Nectarine, Peach, Pear, Plum, Rum