DIY Flavour Pairing Guide
Unleash your creativity and imagination when it comes to flavor pairing, as it adds excitement to the experience. Embrace novelty and dare to experiment with unusual combinations. Who knows? You might stumble upon the next major flavor trend!
When it comes to desserts, it's generally best to focus on one or two dominant flavor combinations. Occasionally, you can incorporate subtle additional elements to complement the main flavor profile. However, it's advisable to avoid overwhelming your creation with too many flavors, as this can diminish their impact and cancel each other 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 âpie spicesâ 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