Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Plant-based Milk

Discover the best flavour pairings for plant-based milk based on data analysis of thousands of recipes. Find perfect ingredient matches & delicious recipes.
Plant-based milk conjures the evocative embrace of coconut and the kiss of bean, but beneath its sweetness lies a complex symphony of subtle flavour notes, such as lamb, walnut, and hints of mustard that give it remarkable depth. The true alchemy of the kitchen unfolds when we pair plant-based milk with ingredients that let these nuances sing.
To chart these harmonies, we analysed thousands of ingredients, each deconstructed across 150 distinct flavour dimensions, pinpointing the notes that best complement this ingredient’s profile. Our analysis reveals, for example, how soy sauce's molassesey tones lift plant-based milk, and how juniper berry's pinaceous notes create a surprising synergy with its fresh nuttiness.
Flavour Profile Of Plant-based Milk Across 150 Dimensions Of Flavour
Flavour wheel chart showing the dominant flavour notes of Plant-based milk: Coconut, Bean, Ovine, Walnut, Mustard, Parsnip, Rice, Almond, Milky, Grassy, Seedy, Buttery, Oleic, Maple, Olivey, Capsaicin, Pea, Starch, Maltol, Capsicum, Butyric, Elderflower, Safranal, Violet, Chamomile, Eucalyptol, Hoppy, Menthol, Thyme, Sage, Bay leaf, Rosemary, Tomatoey, Celery, Cucumber, Asparagus, Spinach, Brassica, Anise, Sotolon, Camphor, Allspice, Ginger, Allicin, Sesame, Gentian, Pine, Cedar, Flint, Graphite, Limestone, Mossy, Porcini, Iron, Copper, Potato, Corn, Hay, Burnt, Musky, Porcine, Melon, Oaky
An ingredient's flavour profile is determined by its core characteristics (e.g. nectarous, 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.
Unlocking Flavour Combinations
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 Coconut Notes
Strength of Association Between Flavours
The flavours most associated with coconut notes are: Pine, Resin, Camphor, Eucalyptus, Oyster, Cedar, Petrichor, Citric, Grapefruit, Rosemary, Bay leaf, Ginger, Asparagus, Dried Porcini, Neroli.
Our analysis reveals a strong connection between coconut and pine flavours. Since plant-based milk has a distinct coconut flavour, try pairing it with the piney flavours of juniper berry.
The recipe below provides inspiration for pairing plant-based milk with juniper berry.
Harmonious Flavours Of Plant-based Milk
Just as our analysis revealed that coconut and piney flavour accents often complement each other, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavour notes present in plant-based milk. For instance, the beany flavours of plant-based milk are strongly associated with sage-like and menthol flavours.
The notes associated with the various notes of plant-based milk can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.
Flavour Profile Of Plant-based Milk And Its Complementary Flavour Notes
Flavour wheel chart showing the dominant flavour notes of Plant-based milk: Coconut, Bean, Ovine, Walnut, Mustard, Parsnip, Rice, Almond, Milky, Grassy, Seedy, Buttery, Oleic, Maple, Olivey, Capsaicin, Pea, Starch, Maltol, Capsicum, Butyric, Elderflower, Safranal, Violet, Chamomile, Eucalyptol, Hoppy, Menthol, Thyme, Sage, Bay leaf, Rosemary, Tomatoey, Celery, Cucumber, Asparagus, Spinach, Brassica, Anise, Sotolon, Camphor, Allspice, Ginger, Allicin, Sesame, Gentian, Pine, Cedar, Flint, Graphite, Limestone, Mossy, Porcini, Iron, Copper, Potato, Corn, Hay, Burnt, Musky, Porcine, Melon, Oaky
Matching Flavour Profiles
The flavour profile of soy sauce offers many of the aroma notes complementary to plant-based milk, including molasses and saline aroma notes. Because the flavour profile of soy sauce has many of the of the features that are complementary to plant-based milk, they are likely to pair very well together.
Prominent Flavour Notes Of Soy Sauce Are Represented By Longer Bars
Flavour wheel chart showing the dominant flavour notes of Soy sauce: Porcini, Molasses, Saline, Oyster, Proteolytic, Tomatoey, Asparagus, Sesame, Glutamic, Peaty, Iron, Koji, Poultry, Butyric, Ginger, Allicin, Bovine, Caramel, Acetic, Yeasty, Toasted, Oceanic, Fishy, Potato
The chart above shows the unique profile of soy sauce across 150 dimensions of flavour, while the recipes below offer inspiration for bringing these flavours together with plant-based milk.
Recipes That Pair Plant-based Milk With Soy Sauce
Linked Flavour Notes
Looking at the aroma notes that are most strongly associated with the various flavours of plant-based milk, we can identify other ingredients that are likely to pair well.
Plant-based Milk's Harmonious Flavours And Complementary Ingredients
Plant-based milk's Strongest Flavours
Complementary Flavours
Ingredients with Complementary Flavours
Flavour groups:
Nectarous
Herbal
Spice
Vegetal
Maillard
Earthy
Woody
Carnal
The left side of the chart above highlights the aroma notes of plant-based milk, along with the complementary aromas associated with each note. While the right side shows some of the ingredients that share many of the notes complementary to plant-based milk.
What To Drink With Plant-based Milk
The sage notes in tuscany make it a perfect pairing with plant-based milk. Likewise, the tomato flavours in bloody mary create a match made in heaven. Explore a variety of ingredients below that beautifully complement the unique character of plant-based milk below.
Which Fruit Go With Plant-based Milk?
Choose fruit that infuse with its earthiness or ground its woody sweetness. Cranberry and rhubarb offer vibrant, clean counterpoints, their verdant freshness lifting the palate. Pomegranate add a gentle, oniony brightness, while cherry tomato introduces a sophisticated, anise-tinged elegance.
Alternatively, embrace fruit that harmonise with plant-based milk's earthiness. The addition of raisin, with its subtle raisin notes, can complement the parsnip beautifully, while preserved lemon lends a dried-fruit sweetness.
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., Plant-based milk), analyse its detailed flavour profile, and accurately reveal its complementary flavours and perfect ingredient partners.
Explore More
Discover more ingredient profiles and expand your culinary knowledge. Each ingredient page offers detailed analysis of flavour profiles, pairing insights, and culinary applications.
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.