Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Lentil

Lentil

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

Lentil is defined by the unmistakable flavours of bean and starch, but beneath its umaminess lies a complex symphony of subtle flavour notes, such as pea, glutamate, and spinach, that give it remarkable depth. The key to finding the perfect pairing for lentil is understanding how these notes harmonise.

To map these harmonies, we analysed thousands of ingredients, breaking each one down across 150 flavour dimensions, identifying which notes complement and contrast. Our analysis reveals, for example, how feta's saline tones ground lentil, and how celery's selinon notes create a surprising synergy with its starchy aroma.

Flavour Profile Of Lentil Across 150 Dimensions Of Flavour

The flavour notes evoked by lentil

Hover over the bars in chart above to identify the flavour notes of lentil

An ingredient's flavour profile is determined by its core characteristics (e.g. earthy, vegetal, and maillard) 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.

The Flavour Code


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.


Our analysis shows that the flavour of bean is strongly associated with the flavour of celery. This suggests we should look for ingredients with a celery-like flavour, such as celery, when pairing with the beany aroma accents of lentil.

The recipes below provide inspiration for pairing lentil with celery.

  • Lentil-and-tomato soup
    The Guardian

    There is a low wall behind the bar that plays loud music at Piramide Metro station. It is a shady wall, too, and removed from the traffic, so, if you like Cher remixes, it’s a good place to rest or to eat a sandwich.
  • Lentils, potato, greens and sausage
    The Guardian

    It was red lentils that were found preserved near Jarmo in Iraq, dating back to the sixth or seventh century BC. Red was also the colour of the lentils that Xin Zhui (Lady Dai), the wife of Li Cang, the Marquis of Dai, took to her tomb in 163BC. They were excavated in 1972, along with 1,000 precious artefacts and Xin’s body, miraculously preserved ...

    • Harmonious Flavours Of Lentil


    Just as our statistical analysis showed that bean and pencil-lead flavour notes are often used together, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavour notes present in lentil. For instance, the starchy notes of lentil are strongly associated with milky and lactic acid notes.

    The aroma notes associated with the various aroma accents of lentil can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.

    Flavour Profile Of Lentil And Its Complementary Flavour Notes

    The flavour notes evoked by lentil

    Complementary flavours of lentil

    Hover over the bars in chart above to identify the flavour notes of lentil

    Matching Flavour Profiles


    The flavour profile of feta offers many of the aroma notes complementary to lentil, including saline and lactic notes. Because the flavour profile of feta has many of the of the features that are complementary to lentil, they are likely to pair very well together.

    Prominent Flavour Notes Of Feta Are Represented By Longer Bars

    The flavour notes evoked by feta

    Hover over the bars in chart above to identify the flavour notes of feta

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


    Recipes That Pair Lentil With Feta


  • Lentils with beetroot leaf chimichurri, roast beets, feta and fennel
    The Guardian

    I’ve always loved the combination of lentils, beetroots and cheese: each ingredient complements the others so well, from the earthy lentils, sweet beetroot and sour cheese, and also work nutritionally to provide a protein- and vitamin-rich meal. You will find the freshest bunches of beetroot with full plumes of leaves at a greengrocer or farmers’ m...
  • Loaded Pita Nachos with Lentil Chili and Feta Queso
    Food & Wine

    In this recipe for plant-based nachos, pita chips are drizzled with a feta queso and then laden with lentil chili, harissa-spiked pickled cabbage, and a dollop of creamy labneh. Make the chips, queso, and cabbage ahead of time to help this dish come together easily, or use store-bought pita chips, if desired. The tangy feta queso gets its smooth b...

    • Linked Flavour Notes


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

    The Flavour Notes That Harmonise With Lentil And The Ingredients That Share Some Of These Notes

    Lentil's Strongest Flavours

    Complementary Flavours


    Ingredients with Complementary Flavours





    Flavour groups:


    Acidic

    Herbal

    Spice

    Maillard

    Earthy

    Woody

    Carnal

    The left side of the chart above highlights the aroma notes of lentil, 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 lentil.


    What To Drink With Lentil


    The graphite notes in red bordeaux make it a perfect pairing with lentil. Likewise, the lactic flavours in yoghurt drink create a match made in heaven. Explore a variety of ingredients below that beautifully complement the unique character of lentil below.




    The content on our analysis blog is semi-automated. All of the words were manually written by a human, but the content is updated dynamically based on the data.