Fruit Pairings Guide: How To Pair Your Favorite Fruits with Other Foods

Fruit is not only a delicious snack, but it also offers many health benefits. Unlike other healthy foods, fruits can also be tasty and filling. Much like pairing the right food and wine, learning how to pair your favorite fruits with other foods can make eating fruit even more enjoyable. And, when you’re ready to stock up, use an Edible Arrangements coupon to have your favorite fruits delivered straight to your doorstep.

Tips for the Best Fruit Pairings

Learn how to compliment your fruit flavors with the following tips:

Choose Similar Flavor Profiles

Similar to other types of foods, pairing similar flavor profiles often leads to the best results. In fact, pairing fruits with similar flavor profiles can also help you discover other fruits you’re more likely to enjoy.

For example, if you like apples, you might also enjoy pears, quince, loquats, or peaches. Likewise, you may enjoy peaches, nectarines, plums, or cherries if you enjoy apricots.

Don’t Be Afraid To Get Creative

Creativity and trying new things have led to some of the best food combinations. Years ago, the idea of dipping apples in caramel may have been an odd suggestion. Today, though, apples and caramel are a favorite snack for many people, as well as pairing chocolate with just about any fruit.

Sometimes, combining opposite flavor profiles is a great way to complement the flavors of each element.

Pair Fruits with Other Snacks

Pairing your favorite fruits with other snacks helps you get more nutrients and enjoy a different experience. Some of the best snacks to pair fruits with include nuts, cheeses, and deli meats.

The perfect combination of all four is what leads to the best charcuterie boards. The fruity flavor of some fruits pairs perfectly with the saltiness of nuts and the savoriness of cured meats.

You Can’t Go Wrong with Savory and Sweet Fruit Combinations

Savory and sweet snack combinations are popular for a reason. Savory snacks, like deli meats, entice different flavor buds than fruits.

Pair Tart with Subtle

Another rule to follow is to always pair tart fruits with more subtle flavors. Kiwi, for example, has a strong flavor profile, meaning it matches with more subtle flavors, like bananas or hazelnuts.

Apples and cranberries have a tart, fruity flavor and are best paired with earthy-toned flavors, like blue cheeses.

Recommended Fruit Pairings

Here are some recommendations of fruits that pair well with other foods based on the above tips:

Apple: Apples pair perfectly with caramel, maple syrup, or vanilla. Apples also pair well with other snacks like almonds or chestnuts.
Apricot: Pair apricots with vanilla ice cream or maple syrup. You can also pair apricots with other snacks like almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts.
Banana: Bananas have a more subtle flavor, meaning they pair well with stronger flavors like allspice or cinnamon. Bananas also go well with caramel or chocolate toppings.
Blackberry: Blackberries have a more tart flavor and pair well with almonds or hazelnuts. Blackberries also go well with honey or vanilla.
Blueberry: Blueberries have a sweet, acidic taste and go well with subtle snacks like almonds or salmon.
Cherry: Cherries have a light, sweet flavor and go well with subtle flavors, like cream or goat cheeses.
Cranberry: Because cranberries have a tart flavor, pair them with something lighter like almonds.
Grape: Grapes are sweet and tart and go well with crunchy pretzels or goat cheese.
Grapefruit: Grapefruit has a sweet and bitter flavor and pairs well with certain spices like cardamom or nutmeg, which help to offset the bitterness.
Lemon: Lemons have one of the most intense and sourest flavors, making them hard to pair with other snacks. Pair lemons with subtle flavors, like fish.
Lime: Limes add a refreshing, tart flavor to otherwise bland dishes. Pair limes with pomegranates or oysters to offset the flavors.
Mango: Mangos have a unique flavor that is creamy and fruity. Mangos go well with more subtle fruits like coconuts or creams, as well as spicy cheeses or meats.
Nectarine: A nectarine has a flavor similar to a peach with a honey-like aroma. Pair nectarines with almonds or hazelnuts.
Orange: Oranges are a sweet, tart fruit often eaten on their own. You can pair oranges with salty nuts, including cashews or almonds.
Pineapple: Pineapple is sweet and fruity. The strong flavor of pineapples often pairs well with other fruits like watermelons and cantaloupes.
Raspberry: Raspberries are another fruit that is tart and sweet. They pair best with other similar flavored berries, like strawberries or blueberries.
Strawberry: The strawberry is fruity and has green undertones. Pair strawberries with dryer, flakier foods, like graham crackers or toasted bread for a sweet, filling snack.
Watermelon: A watermelon is sweet and bitter and is often enjoyed on its own. You can also pair watermelon with avocados, lemons, chicken, or white fish.

Whether you’re looking for the best fruit pairings for your own enjoyment at home or to prepare a delectable charcuterie board for your next get-together, these fruit pairings are sure to impress.