Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Aubergine

Unlock the perfect flavour pairings for aubergine according to data science. Explore unique recipes and discover the hidden mathematics of flavour.

Aubergine instantly conjures the evocative embrace of tannin and the bracing kiss of smoke, but beneath its umami surface lies a nuanced symphony of subtle flavour notes: char, caramel, and even hints of sulfur. These are the notes that lend it such remarkable, resonant depth. And the gastronomic enchantment begins when we seek out partners that allow these notes to truly sing, to harmonise in unexpected and delightful ways.

To map these harmonies, we analysed thousands of ingredients, breaking each one down across 150 flavour dimensions, identifying which notes complement and contrast. Our findings reveal, for instance, how cornflour's maize-like tones can embrace aubergine, or how Stilton's mouldy notes create an unexpectedly harmonious bridge with the dry sensation.

An ingredient's flavour comes from its core characteristics, like maillard, vegetal, and earthy, combined with its unique aroma notes (outer bars). When pairing ingredients, aim to include a broad variety of core characteristics for a balanced dish. And choose aroma notes that complement each other for a harmonious combination.

The Secret Language of Flavour

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 Tannic Notes

Our analysis reveals a strong connection between tannin and mould flavours. Since aubergine has a distinct tannic flavour, try pairing it with the mouldy flavours of Stilton.

The recipe below provides inspiration for pairing aubergine with Stilton.

Harmonious Flavours Of Aubergine

Just as our analysis highlighted that tannin and mouldy flavours frequently pair together, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavour notes present in aubergine. For instance, the smoky accents of aubergine are strongly associated with oniony and corn-like flavours.

The aromas associated with the various notes of aubergine can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.

Matching Flavour Profiles

The flavour profile of cornflour offers many of the aroma notes complementary to aubergine, including corn and starch aroma accents. Because the flavour profile of cornflour has many of the of the features that are complementary to aubergine, they are likely to pair very well together.

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

Recipes That Pair Aubergine With Cornflour

Linked Flavour Notes

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

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

What To Drink With Aubergine

The rice notes in sake make it a perfect pairing with aubergine. Likewise, the corn flavours in mexican lager create a match made in heaven. Explore a variety of ingredients below that beautifully complement the unique character of aubergine below.

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., Aubergine), analyse its detailed flavour profile, and accurately reveal its complementary flavours and perfect ingredient partners.