English Mince Meat

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. Almond + cinnamontop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together3,514 recipes

   Shared aroma: eucalyptol (eucalyptus, herbal).

2. Raisin + cinnamontop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together5,390 recipes

   Shared aroma: 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom, earthy).

3. Raisin + almondtop 2% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together1,781 recipes

   Shared aroma: 2-nonanone (fruity, floral).

4. Apple + cinnamontop 4% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together5,598 recipes

   Shared aroma: methyl cinnamate (strawberry).

5. Currant + brandytop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikelow
   Cooked together3,057 recipes

   Shared aroma: ethyl cinnamate (sweet, balsamic).

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

What each ingredient does

Suet

Adds fat that gives the mixture richness and a moist, rounded texture.

Raisins

Provide concentrated sweetness and chewy body as they soften during cooking.

Light brown sugar

Adds sweetness and a molasses note that deepens the flavor of the cooked fruit.

Apples

Add moisture and a bright tartness that balances the sweetness of the sugar and fruit.

Blanched almonds

Add crunch and a mild nutty flavor that contrasts with the soft fruit.

Brandy

Adds aromatic depth and a warm, spirited flavor to the finished mixture.

The step that matters

Swap the mace

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (raisin, apple, almond, currant, sugar, cinnamon, brandy):

1. Nutmegfits better
2. Clovefits better
3. Allspicefits better
4. Macethe original

Fit is the average pairing score against raisin, apple, almond, currant, sugar, cinnamon, brandy. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.