What makes certain fruits work well in savory dishes? [closed]

Lime and lemon zest / juice are probably the most common example I can think of, but there are others. Pineapple, for example, can be found grilled, on Hawaiian pizza, or with kebabs.

What specific characteristics make certain fruits, which are mostly eaten raw or in sweet/lighter dishes, work also in savory dishes?

Best Answer

There are different characteristics in fruit that can cause them to complement savory dishes. The reason why adding a dash of citrus to savory dishes is so common is that a bit of acidity can bring out other flavors in a dish and make it taste "brighter". Some chefs also use vinegars for this.

Other fruits are used to play off of specific flavors. For instance, the sweetness of some fruits like (like pineapple or melon) can play well off of spicy or salty dishes. Hence the popularity of pineapple with ham or chiles, or melon with prosciutto.

Beyond that it can get a bit more complicated. In some cases, the characteristics of the fruit can help to play off of contrasting flavors in a dish (here is a chart), but in others there can be flavoring compounds shared between items that make them complement each other(And here is more about that.)

Pictures about "What makes certain fruits work well in savory dishes? [closed]"

What makes certain fruits work well in savory dishes? [closed] - Person Holding Blue Berries on White Ceramic Bowl

What makes certain fruits work well in savory dishes? [closed] - Person Giving Fruit to Another

What makes certain fruits work well in savory dishes? [closed] - Side view of cheerful female employee in formal outfit sitting on office chair with crossed legs on desk and stretching while resting during work with closed eyes

How can fruit be used in savory dishes?

Four ways to add fruit to your savoury meal repertoire

Mango and tomato curry. Mango adds a delicious sweetness to this vegetarian curry. ...
Chicken and apricot tajine. Unlock exotic aromas and fabulous flavours with this tantalising chicken tagine.
Pear and Gorgonzola salad. ...
Grilled peach pasta salad.

Which fruit is savory?

Watermelon, peaches and pineapple are fantastic grilling options that are easy to make and add a delicious pop of sweet and smoky taste to a variety of dishes. Berries, mangoes and citrus fruits ramp up the style and flavor of any salad, grain bowl or soup.

What makes a food Savoury?

Savoury food has a salty or spicy flavour rather than a sweet one. Italian cooking is best known for savoury dishes. Savouries are small items of savoury food that are usually eaten as a snack, for example with alcoholic drinks at a party or before a meal.

Why does cooking fruit make it sweeter?

Cooking fruits, which are mostly made from water, concentrates their natural sugars, making them sweeter and more appealing. As with vegetables, the liquid that cooks out of fruits is very healthy, Crosby said (though not if you've cooked with added sugar).

Go Through the Entire 19-Course Tasting Menu of a Michelin-Starred Barcelona Restaurant

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Svetlana Ponomareva, EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA, Erik Scheel, Andrea Piacquadio