Each fruit has its own unique taste and characteristics. Here are some unexpected combinations that bring out the flavours in each fruit as well as the ingredients they’re paired with.
1. Banana and peanuts
The sweet fruit benefits from the roasted nuts, creating a complex mouthful. Use in a savoury curry, an exotic salad or in sweet dishes with caramel.
2. Mango and chilli
The heat in pepper is tempered by the natural sugar of mango, making it milder and reduces the cloying sweetness of the fruit. A beloved duo in Asia and Mexico, this combo can be used to create salsa, chutney, or ice cream.
3. Watermelon and salt
It is common knowledge that salt opens up flavours. The somewhat flat, watery taste of the fruit gets a real boost from a salt sprinkle.
4. Grapes, sour cream and brown sugar
The brown sugar melts into the sour cream and gives it a surprisingly sweet twist, while the grapes provide crunchiness and texture. A grate of nutmeg is an interesting addition.
5. Lime juice and fish sauce
The lime dilutes the dark, intensely-flavoured fish sauce. They are the main components of Vietnamese nuoc cham (dipping sauce) and are used for salads, spring rolls, meat and fish.
6. Papaya and lime
We know these are both fruits, but they’re so vastly different – yet taste so good together – that we just had to add them to the list! Papaya is a mild fruit with a distinctive sweetness, which opens up to the sourness of lime. They are a good couple in sweet dishes and salads.
