Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Ancho Chilli

Analysing hundreds of thousands of recipes uncovers ancho chilli's optimal flavour pairings.

Ancho chilli is defined by the unmistakable twin signatures of chilli and raisin, but beneath its sweet surface lies a nuanced symphony of subtle flavour notes: molasses, allspice, and even hints of violet that give it remarkable depth. And the true alchemy of the kitchen begins when we seek out partners that allow these individual notes to truly sing, to harmonise in unexpected and delightful ways.

To illuminate these harmonies, we embarked on an ambitious journey, analysing thousands of ingredients. Each was meticulously deconstructed across 150 distinct flavour dimensions, allowing us to pinpoint precisely which notes complement in both classic and unexpected ways. Our exploration reveals, for instance, how the grassy, fatty hexanal in pork can enrich ancho chilli, and how sesame seed's sesamol notes forge a beautiful synergy with its fiery sensation.

An ingredient's flavour profile is determined by its core characteristics (e.g. spice, maillard, and woody) enhanced by layers of subtle aroma notes (outer bars). When pairing ingredients, aim for a mix of core traits to build balance, and select complementary aroma notes to create harmony.

Flavour Pairing Method

To understand exactly which flavours harmonise, we compiled a database of over 50,000 ingredient pairings commonly used in cooking. We then analysed these pairings, identifying the specific flavour notes that frequently appear together.

The Flavours That Harmonise With Capsaicin Notes

Our analysis shows that the flavour of chilli is strongly associated with the flavour of sesame. This suggests we should look for ingredients with a sesame flavour, such as sesame seed, when pairing with the hot accents of ancho chilli.

The recipes below provide inspiration for pairing ancho chilli with sesame seed.

Harmonious Flavours Of Ancho Chilli

Just as our analysis reveals that chilli and fenugreek flavour accents tend to pair together, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavour accents present in ancho chilli. For instance, the molasses notes of ancho chilli are strongly associated with cinnamonic and malic notes.

The aroma accents complementary to the various aromas of ancho chilli can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.

Matching Flavour Profiles

The flavour profile of pork offers many of the aroma notes complementary to ancho chilli, including porcine and fatty accents. Because the flavour profile of pork has many of the of the features that are complementary to ancho chilli, they are likely to pair very well together.

The chart above shows the unique profile of pork across 150 dimensions of flavour, while the recipes below offer inspiration for bringing these flavours together with ancho chilli.

Recipes That Pair Ancho Chilli With Pork

Linked Flavour Notes

Looking at the aroma accents that are most strongly associated with the various flavours of ancho chilli, we can identify other ingredients that are likely to pair well.

The left side of the chart above highlights the aroma notes of ancho chilli, along with the complementary aromas associated with each note. While the right side shows some of the ingredients that share many of the aromas complementary to ancho chilli.

What To Drink With Ancho Chilli

The malic notes in apple juice make it a perfect pairing with ancho chilli. Likewise, the malic flavours in cawston press apple and rhubarb juice create a match made in heaven. Explore a variety of ingredients below that beautifully complement the unique character of ancho chilli below.

Which Vegetables Go With Ancho Chilli?

For ancho chilli, choose vegetables that resonate with its fieriness or embrace its pungent herbiness. Turkey thigh offers vibrant, clean counterpoints, its verdant freshness lifting the palate. Portobello mushroom add a gentle, oniony brightness, while red cabbage introduces a sophisticated, anise-tinged elegance.

Alternatively, embrace vegetables that harmonise with ancho chilli's sweetness. The addition of squash, with its subtle malic notes, can complement the molasses beautifully. Tomatillo bridges earthiness and citrus zest, while yellow bell pepper lends a crisp tartness.

How Flavonomics Works

We've pioneered a unique, data-driven approach to decode the intricate art of flavour pairing. Our goal is to move beyond intuition and uncover the science of why certain ingredients harmonise beautifully. This rigorous methodology allows us to provide you with insightful and reliable pairing recommendations.

Our analysis begins with over 50,000 carefully selected recipes from acclaimed chefs like Galton Blackiston, Marcello Tully, and Pierre Lambinon. This premium dataset ensures our model distils genuine culinary excellence and creativity.

Each ingredient from these recipes is deconstructed across 150 distinct flavour dimensions, creating a unique numerical "flavour fingerprint." This quantification allows us to apply advanced analytical methods to identify complex patterns between flavour notes.

We identify popular ingredient combinations that frequently appear in our recipe database. Regression analysis is then performed on these pairings to statistically validate and pinpoint truly harmonious flavours.

These insights drive our predictive model, which allows us to take any ingredient (e.g., Ancho chilli), analyse its detailed flavour profile, and accurately reveal its complementary flavours and perfect ingredient partners.