Chow Chow I

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

1. Turmeric + gingertop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together2,776 recipes

   Shared aroma: eucalyptol (eucalyptus, herbal).

2. Mustard + turmerictop 3% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together2,279 recipes

   Shared aroma: guaiacol (smoky, sweet).

3. Cabbage + mustardtop 3% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together1,645 recipes

   Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).

4. Pepper + turmerictop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together4,478 recipes

   Shared aroma: guaiacol (smoky, sweet).

5. Cabbage + peppertop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together4,081 recipes

   Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Cabbage

Forms the bulk of the relish and gives it a crisp, sturdy texture after salting.

Onion

Adds savoury depth and aroma that mellows during simmering.

Green tomatoes

Provide tart body and moisture that soften into the sauce as it simmers.

Sugar

Balances the sharpness of the vinegar and adds sweetness to the finished pickle.

Vinegar

Supplies the acidity that preserves the pickle and gives it its tang.

Bell peppers

Contribute sweetness, colour and a mild vegetal flavour to the mix.

The step that matters

Swap the tomato

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (cabbage, onion, pepper, sugar, mustard, turmeric, ginger):

1. Horseradishfits better
2. Broccolifits better
3. Cauliflowerfits better
4. Tomatothe original

Fit is the average pairing score against cabbage, onion, pepper, sugar, mustard, turmeric, ginger. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.