THE NEW ART & SCIENCE OF FLAVOR PAIRINGS NOW

Pairings make our tongues especially happy. However beautiful a pure taste sensation can be, when we pair flavors and textures, our experience with food and drink is exponentially elevated.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Foodpairing Creation: Chocolate – Plum – Darjeeling Tea.

Recent research shows us why we like certain pairs more than others and we now have a new way to create pairings that create art in our mouths.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Foodpairing Creation. Ginger Thin – Green Tea – Mango.

When Yong-Yeol Ahn, Sebastian E. Ahnert, James P. Bagrow & Albert-László Barabási, researchers at Department of physics at Northeastern University, pondered the potential of flavor pairings, they noted that there is a relatively small number of recipes in use (∼106) compared to the enormous number of potential recipes (>1015). 

Image by: Yong-Yeol Ahn, Sebastian E. Ahnert, James P. Bagrow & Albert-László Barabási. “Flavor Network.” Published in Scientific Reports.

The flavor compound (chemical) profile of each ingredient determines how it might pair with another.

Ingredients sharing flavor compounds are more likely to taste well together than ingredients that do not -- even if, at first blush, the combination seems terribly wrong. Take the case of white chocolate and caviar.

Photo: Courtesy of Lillie Belle Farms. Smokey Blue Truffles.

Before you say “eeewww,” consider this: they share trimethylamine and other flavor compounds. Another unlikely pair: chocolate and blue cheese -- they share at least 73 flavor compounds. And some very creative and talented chefs are now creating delectable dishes using this knowledge.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Foodpairing Creation: Cinnamon Biscuit – Beef – Porcini.

The researchers developed a network-based approach to explore the impact of flavor compounds on ingredient combinations. They mapped out 381 ingredients used in 56,498 recipes provided by epicurious.com, allrecipes.com, and Korean-based menupan.com, and 1,021 flavor compounds that are known to contribute to the flavor of each of these ingredients.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Ling - Potato - Pumpkin - Mint.

Foodpairing® is a fabulous science-based resource, founded in 2007 by gastronomic scientist Bernard Lahousse, that helps chefs, bartenders, and foodies to discover literally millions of new flavor combinations for super-creative new food and drink recipes. They not only really rock your tastebuds, but they can also improve the nutritional values of what you are eating.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Strawberry and Cheese Foodpairing Combinations.

Pairings are built from scratch, one ingredient at a time. Simply select one of the 1000+ ingredients from around the world listed on the Foodpairing website. It will generate a list of best matching foods and drinks. As you add ingredients to your base, the pairings list adapts, to offer you exciting ideas for recipes you can try, test, and adjust.

Check the Foodpairing video to see how it’s done.

Foodpairing develops and operates one of the world’s largest ingredient and flavor databases. Their series of unique algorithms are capable of calculating pairings that will truly inspire and delight you.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Steak and French Fries with White Chocolate Béarnaise.

The ideas might shock you… Chocolate mousse with fried onion? Strawberries with parmesan? Steak with White Chocolate Béarnaise? Don’t knock it til you try it!

Here are a few perfect pairings recipes from the Foodpairing site to get you started on your own Beautiful Pairings adventures. See below.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Mandarine Napoléon & Mount Gay Rum Eclipse Cocktail.

Foodpairing developed an incredibly delicious cocktail recipe pairing the unique flavor notes of Mount Gay Rum Eclipse and Mandarine Napoléon, together with cinnamon, and lemon juice.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Beluga Vodka Gold Line with Beef, Cabbage, Dill & Cucumber.

Foodpairing also works with brands to help them to develop recipes and menus. For example, they worked with Beluga Gold Line Vodka to develop a complete menu. This vodka is dominated by a fruity theme, reminiscent of pineapple and apple, along with spicy (clove-like) and green (cucumber, peppers, pea) flavor directions and caramellic notes (maple syrup).

Check out Foodpairing’s Beluga Vodka Gold Line with Beef, Cabbage, Dill & Cucumber recipe.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Les Vergers Boiron Green Asparagus - Carotte - Turnip - Dried Entrecote.

Foodpairing developed several pairings for Les Vergers Boiron, using their fabulous vegetable purées as a starting point. Check out this sublime pairing of Les Vergers Boiron Green Asparagus purée, carrot, turnip, and dried entrecote.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Maison François. Maison François Cherry Wood Chips - Carrot - Orange Peel - Mascarpone - Anise.

Smoke is a fabulous flavor to play with. Foodpairing gave rise to this astonishing pairing for Maison François, using cherry wood chips, carrot, orange peel, mascarpone, and anise.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Les Vergers Boiron Butternut - Chocolate - Pumpkin Seeds - Mandarin

Check out this sumptuous dessert using Les Vergers Boiron Butternut Squash purée paired with dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, curry powder, and tangerine.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Les Vergers Boiron Semi-Candied Orange - Cardamom - Cinnamon - Mango - Pistachio - Carrot. 

Pickles and ice cream has been the classic pregnancy-cravings joke. But this Foodpairing dessert recipe cleverly pairs picked carrot with sweet panna cotta. It uses Les Vergers Boiron semi-candied orange, together with cardamom, cinnamon, mango, pistachio, and pickled carrot.

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Blanc Origins Dominican Republic - Fish - Hook.

Chocolate and seaweed? Of course! This totally novel pairing is made even more magical with its trompe l'oeil fish hook, made of seaweed infused caramel, coated in Blanc Origins Dominican Republic white chocolate, and finished in powdered silver. Candied wakame is the “catch.”

Photo: Courtesy of FoodPairing. Noir Origins Peru - Eclips.

Read more about Beautiful Pairs, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 Extraordinary Pairs to Embellish Your Space Now and Beautiful Similarities & Difference in Twins Now.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Pairs in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 11.16.14. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!