Cucumbers

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. Cucumber + cabbagetop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together722 recipes

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

2. Cider + vinegartop 6% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together3,431 recipes

   Shared aroma: 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (smoky, clove).

3. Cucumber + vinegartop 8% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together4,734 recipes

   Shared aroma: 2-methylbutyl acetate (fruit).

4. Vinegar + cabbagetop 13% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together2,924 recipes

   Shared aroma: 4'-methylacetophenone (bitter almond).

5. Cucumber + cidertop 16% of all pairs
   Smell alikelow
   Cooked together572 recipes

   Shared aroma: 2-methylbutyl acetate (fruit).

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

What each ingredient does

Very small cucumbers

Provide the main body of the pickle, which softens and absorbs the brine and vinegar flavours.

Coarse sea salt

Draws water out of the cucumbers and seasons them, firming the texture during the brine.

Best cider vinegar

Adds acidity that preserves the cucumbers and gives the pickle its sharp, tangy flavour.

Cabbage leaves

Cover the cucumbers in the jar to help keep them submerged under the liquid.

The step that matters

Swap the cabbage

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (cucumber, cider, vinegar):

1. Radishfits better
2. Mustardfits better
3. Cauliflowerfits better
4. Cabbagethe original

Fit is the average pairing score against cucumber, cider, vinegar. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.