Flavor Pairings with Walnuts - California Walnuts (2024)

Flavor Pairings with Walnuts

Surprising Top Flavor Pairings for Walnuts

Learn how different sweet, savory and spicy flavors pair with walnuts.

Walnuts pair well with a variety of foods, so California Walnuts partnered with the Davis Sensory Institute to find out what flavors people like best with them. We tested 15 different sweet, savory and spicy flavors paired with walnuts. The results may
surprise you!

Flavor Pairings with Walnuts - California Walnuts (1)

Top 5 Pairings

Although people enjoy a mix of sweet and savory flavors with walnuts, a sweet combination is most liked by all: (1) Dark Chocolate, (2) Sesame Cayenne, (3) Vanilla, (4) Sea Salt Caramel, (5) Coffee.

Young Adults Prefer Spicy

Sesame Cayenne was the favorite walnut flavor of young adults (aged 18-25), so it’s not surprising they ranked other spicy flavor pairings like Spicy Barbeque, Sriracha and Wasabi higher than other age groups.

Luckily, many of the top flavors are common household ingredients, making them an easy addition to a walnut recipe to help enhance their flavor.

Flavor Pairings with Walnuts - California Walnuts (2)

Recipes That Incorporate Top
Flavor Pairings

Flavor Pairings with Walnuts - California Walnuts (8)

Citation

The flavor research outlined was funded by the California Walnut Board and conducted by the Davis Sensory Institute between June 26 and October 31. In this research, 114 consumers (60 male, 54 female) used a single blind approach to compare and evaluate 15 walnut pairings consisting of sweet, savory and spicy flavors. Participants tasted all samples and were asked to indicate how much they liked each of the flavors using a 7-point hedonic scale. They also provided reasons for their likes and dislikes. All participants were consumers of walnuts or nuts eating them at least once a year and willing to try new walnut- or nut-containing products. People who consume walnuts or nuts once a year or less were not retained in the study.

Flavor Pairings with Walnuts - California Walnuts (2024)

FAQs

Flavor Pairings with Walnuts - California Walnuts? ›

Top 5 Pairings

What to combine walnuts with? ›

10 Simple Ways to Use Walnuts
  • Plus-Up Cereal or Oatmeal. ...
  • Make a DIY Trail Mix. ...
  • Pair with Fruit, Cheese, and Crackers. ...
  • Swap-in on Salads. ...
  • Add to Sandwiches and Wraps. ...
  • Make-Ahead Walnut Pesto. ...
  • Just Eat a Handful Plain. ...
  • Top Your Pizza, Pasta, or Roasted Veggies.
Sep 15, 2022

What fruits go well with walnuts? ›

Walnut: Pairs well with apple, apricot, banana, caramel, chocolate, cinnamon, nectarine, peach, pear, plum, and rum.

What flavors go well with black walnut? ›

Rich, bold American Black Walnuts combine with pumpkin, apples, caramel, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg to bring a tantalizing twist to favorite recipes. This season, sweet and savory tastes are crossing boundaries and getting intermingled across all kinds of desserts and entrees.

What kind of flavor does walnut possess? ›

They are bumpy and golden brown and have a mild, earthy, and slightly tangy flavor.

What flavors pair well with walnuts? ›

Top 5 Pairings

Although people enjoy a mix of sweet and savory flavors with walnuts, a sweet combination is most liked by all: (1) Dark Chocolate, (2) Sesame Cayenne, (3) Vanilla, (4) Sea Salt Caramel, (5) Coffee.

What makes walnuts taste better? ›

Are they better than raw or toasted? Toasted walnuts are an absolute delight, and I like them better than raw walnuts as a healthy snack or when adding them to other recipes like salads and overnight oats. Toasting walnuts intensifies their nutty flavor, gives them a lovely aroma, and creates a satisfying crunch.

Do bananas and walnuts go together? ›

A handful of walnuts and a potassium-rich banana go a long way as a snack. It's the perfect mix of carbohydrates and heart-healthy fats to keep you energized. Victoria Seaver is a registered dietitian and Editorial Director for EatingWell.com.

What cheeses go with walnuts? ›

The creamy and slightly acidic goat cheese provides a perfect backdrop for the nutty flavors of walnuts. And if you like things pungent, walnuts are incredible with Blue cheese, especially Gorgonzola, a type of Italian blue cheese, that offers a creamy and pungent profile.

Does Cherry and walnut go together? ›

“I would encourage people to mix wood species in the same room because it gives a balanced flavor to the space. The lighter hues of new cherry or even ash will complement the richer tones of walnut. Many pieces that we make at Thos. Moser are a great display of this ebb and flow of light and dark.

What is the flavor profile of walnuts? ›

The shell and skin are removed and the meat of the nut is eaten. Walnuts are a light brown/tan color and have a wrinkled top divided into two halves and resembles a brain. The flavor is mild with hints of tannins and sweetness. They are a rich and fatty nut which imparts an umami taste.

What looks good with walnut? ›

As walnut is a dark colour, it pairs well with lighter colours. However, if you are looking to keep your space adaptable, then neutral colours such as white, magnolia and creams are complementary colours to walnut finished items.

What happens to your body when you eat walnuts every day? ›

Eating walnuts nourishes both you and the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. This promotes gut health and may help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

What are the side effects of walnuts? ›

Health risks of walnuts

Excess calories are an obesity risk. Allergy. Among the tree nuts, walnuts and cashews most frequently cause allergic reactions in America. Allergies to walnuts can appear as skin rashes, digestive problems, or respiratory symptoms like cough and wheezing.

What are walnuts good to eat with? ›

Toss a handful of walnuts into salad as a swap for croutons, or use them to top a veggie stir-fry. Fold chopped walnuts into the batter of pancakes, muffins or quick breads for the added health benefits. Mix chopped walnuts into unsweetened yogurt or your morning oatmeal and add fresh fruit for natural sweetness.

What are good nut combinations? ›

The creaminess of cashews and slightly tart cranberries are perfection, in my eyes. Peanuts, raisins, and sunflower seeds. These are like the peanut butter & jelly of snacking for me - it's classic and everybody likes it. Dried apple & toasted pecans.

How many walnuts to eat per day? ›

How many walnuts should you eat in a day? A 2021 article on the effect of walnut consumption found that consuming 30–60 grams of walnuts daily is beneficial for heart health. 30–60 grams is the same as 1–2 ounces or a 1/4–1/2 cup of walnuts.

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