Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Panela

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

Panela is defined by the unmistakable flavours of honey and molasses, but beneath its sweetness lies a complex symphony of subtle flavour notes, such as caramel, raisin, and sugar, that give it remarkable depth. The key to finding the perfect pairing for panela 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 flaxseed's amygdaline tones ground panela, and how cocoa powder's cocoa notes create a surprising synergy with its golden sweetness.

An ingredient's flavour profile is determined by its core characteristics (e.g. maillard, nectarous, and spice) 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 Secret Language of Flavour

To understand how flavour notes harmonise, we analysed more than 50,000 popular ingredient combinations. By exploring these pairings, we identified specific flavour notes that frequently occur together, indicating they share a harmonious relationship.

Our analysis shows that the flavour of honey is strongly associated with the flavour of cocoa. This suggests we should look for ingredients with a cocoa flavour, such as cocoa powder, when pairing with the honeyed accents of panela.

The recipe below provides inspiration for pairing panela with cocoa powder.

Harmonious Flavours Of Panela

Just as our analysis revealed that honey and cocoa flavours are harmonious, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavour notes present in panela. For instance, the molasses accents of panela are strongly associated with malic and sesame notes.

The notes complementing the various aroma notes of panela can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.

Matching Flavour Profiles

The flavour profile of flaxseed offers many of the aromas complementary to panela, including almond and seedy aroma notes. Because the flavour profile of flaxseed has many of the of the features that are complementary to panela, they are likely to pair very well together.

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

Recipes That Pair Panela With Flaxseed

Linked Flavour Notes

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

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

Harmonies Of Panela

Panela offers a range of distinct flavour notes, each with its own set of harmonising partners. Honey notes pair especially well with ingredients that have the roasted notes of cocoa and the soft floral aroma of elderflower. While molasses tones complement sour apple notes and banana's creamy sweetness. Here, we explore the many flavours that resonate with each note of Panela, revealing abundant possibilities for creative pairing.

Each Chord Connects Two Harmonising Flavour Notes

What To Drink With Panela

The malic notes in mondeuse blanche make it a perfect pairing with panela. Likewise, the flint flavours in saint-romain create a match made in heaven. Explore a variety of ingredients below that beautifully complement the unique character of panela below.