Allspice gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
apricots
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
The stone fruit of Prunus armeniaca — with a delicate, floral-sweet character when perfectly ripe and a tendency to disappoint when picked underripe (most comm…
87 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Fresh apricots are among the most delicate and perishable of stone fruits — they must be harvested tree-ripe for full flavor development (the majority of commercial production is picked green for shipping durability). The peak-ripeness window is very short. Cooked apricots (jams, tarts, cakes, glazes) are more reliably excellent than raw, because cooking concentrates the flavor and adds caramelization complexity. Apricot jam is the standard pastry glaze — heated and sieved, it provides a neutral, sweet, transparent coating that doesn't compete with the pastry filling. Apricot kernel oil (from the inner pit) contains high benzaldehyde concentration — the original source of "bitter almond" flavor in many European confections. Dried Turkish apricots (sulfur-treated for color preservation, pale orange) and unsulfured varieties (dark brown, more complex) are used in North African tagines (with lamb and almonds), in rice pilafs, in compotes, and in baked goods. Pairing notes: vanilla, almond, Amaretto, honey, cream, rosemary, lavender, and pork.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
allspice
almonds
amaretto
anise
apples
apricot brandy
bananas
blackberries
blueberries
brandy
butter, unsalted
caramel
cardamom
cayenne
cheese
cheesecake
cherries
chicken
chocolate, white
cinnamon
coconut
coffee / espresso
cognac
coriander
cranberries
cream and ice cream
crème anglaise
custards
duck
foie gras
game
garlic
ginger
hazelnuts
honey
ice cream
kirsch
lamb
lemon, juice
lemon, zest
lemon verbena
liqueurs, apricot
liqueurs, nut
maple syrup
mascarpone
meringue
middle eastern stews
mint
nectarines
nutmeg
nuts
oats and oatmeal
onions
orange, juice
orange, zest
orange liqueur
peaches
pepper, black
pineapple
pine nuts
pistachios
plums
pork
poultry
praline
prunes
raisins
raspberries
rice pudding
rosemary
rum
saffron
salads
sauternes
sour cream
strawberries
sugar, brown
sugar, white
tea, apple
tea, apricot
tea, earl grey
vanilla
vinegar, red wine
walnuts
wine, sweet
wine, white
yogurt
allspice
Allspice gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
almonds
Almonds adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
amaretto
Amaretto amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
anise
Anise gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
apples
Apples echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
apricot brandy
Apricot brandy echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
bananas
Bananas echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
blackberries
Blackberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
blueberries
Blueberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
brandy
Brandy concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
butter, unsalted
Unsalted butter rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
caramel
Caramel amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
cardamom
Cardamom gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
cayenne
Cayenne gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
cheese
Cheese rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
cheesecake
Cheesecake rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
cherries
Cherries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
chicken
Chicken uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
chocolate, white
White chocolate amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
cinnamon
Cinnamon gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
coconut
Coconut adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
coffee / espresso
Coffee / espresso works with apricots by balancing its honeyed tartness and floral stone-fruit sweetness with another clear flavor role.
cognac
Cognac concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
coriander
Coriander gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
cranberries
Cranberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
cream and ice cream
Cream and ice cream rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
crème anglaise
Crème anglaise rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
custards
Custards rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
duck
Duck uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
foie gras
Foie gras uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
game
Game uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
garlic
Garlic gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
ginger
Ginger gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
hazelnuts
Hazelnuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
honey
Honey amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
ice cream
Ice cream rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
kirsch
Kirsch concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
lamb
Lamb uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
lemon, juice
Lemon juice echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
lemon, zest
Lemon zest echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
lemon verbena
Lemon verbena echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
liqueurs, apricot
Liqueurs, apricot echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
liqueurs, nut
Liqueurs, nut adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
maple syrup
Maple syrup amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
mascarpone
Mascarpone rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
meringue
Meringue amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
middle eastern stews
Middle eastern stews works with apricots by balancing its honeyed tartness and floral stone-fruit sweetness with another clear flavor role.
mint
Mint gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
nectarines
Nectarines echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
nutmeg
Nutmeg adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
nuts
Nuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
oats and oatmeal
Oats and oatmeal gives apricots a buttery or starchy base that absorbs its juices and turns the fruit into the center of a pastry, pudding, or grain dish.
onions
Onions gives apricots a savory counterpoint, making the fruit useful in salads, slaws, and cooked side dishes.
orange, juice
Orange juice echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
orange, zest
Orange zest echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
orange liqueur
Orange liqueur echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
peaches
Peaches echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
pepper, black
Black pepper gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
pineapple
Pineapple echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
pine nuts
Pine nuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
pistachios
Pistachios adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
plums
Plums echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
pork
Pork uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
poultry
Poultry uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
praline
Praline adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
prunes
Prunes echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
raisins
Raisins echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
raspberries
Raspberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
rice pudding
Rice pudding gives apricots a buttery or starchy base that absorbs its juices and turns the fruit into the center of a pastry, pudding, or grain dish.
rosemary
Rosemary gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
rum
Rum concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
saffron
Saffron gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
salads
Salads gives apricots a savory counterpoint, making the fruit useful in salads, slaws, and cooked side dishes.
sauternes
Sauternes concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
sour cream
Sour cream rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
strawberries
Strawberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
sugar, brown
Sugar, brown amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
sugar, white
White sugar amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
tea, apple
Tea, apple echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
tea, apricot
Tea, apricot echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
tea, earl grey
Tea, earl grey works with apricots by balancing its honeyed tartness and floral stone-fruit sweetness with another clear flavor role.
vanilla
Vanilla gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
vinegar, red wine
Red wine vinegar concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
walnuts
Walnuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
wine, sweet
Sweet wine concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
wine, white
White wine concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
yogurt
Yogurt rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
Almonds adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
amaretto
Amaretto amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
Anise gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Apples echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
apricot brandy
Apricot brandy echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Bananas echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Blackberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Blueberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
brandy
Brandy concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
butter, unsalted
Unsalted butter rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
Caramel amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
Cardamom gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
cayenne
Cayenne gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Cheese rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
cheesecake
Cheesecake rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
Cherries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Chicken uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
White chocolate amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
Cinnamon gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
coconut
Coconut adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
Coffee / espresso works with apricots by balancing its honeyed tartness and floral stone-fruit sweetness with another clear flavor role.
Cognac concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
Coriander gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Cranberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
cream and ice cream
Cream and ice cream rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
crème anglaise
Crème anglaise rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
Custards rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
Duck uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
Foie gras uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
Game uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
Garlic gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Ginger gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Hazelnuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
Honey amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
ice cream
Ice cream rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
kirsch
Kirsch concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
Lamb uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
lemon, juice
Lemon juice echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
lemon, zest
Lemon zest echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Lemon verbena echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
liqueurs, apricot
Liqueurs, apricot echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
liqueurs, nut
Liqueurs, nut adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
Maple syrup amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
Mascarpone rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
meringue
Meringue amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
middle eastern stews
Middle eastern stews works with apricots by balancing its honeyed tartness and floral stone-fruit sweetness with another clear flavor role.
Mint gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Nectarines echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Nutmeg adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
nuts
Nuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
oats and oatmeal
Oats and oatmeal gives apricots a buttery or starchy base that absorbs its juices and turns the fruit into the center of a pastry, pudding, or grain dish.
Onions gives apricots a savory counterpoint, making the fruit useful in salads, slaws, and cooked side dishes.
orange, juice
Orange juice echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
orange, zest
Orange zest echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
orange liqueur
Orange liqueur echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Peaches echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Black pepper gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
pineapple
Pineapple echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Pine nuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
Pistachios adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
Plums echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Pork uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
poultry
Poultry uses apricots's acidity and sweetness as contrast, cutting richness while adding a fruit-forward glaze or sauce note.
praline
Praline adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
Prunes echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Raisins echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
Raspberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
rice pudding
Rice pudding gives apricots a buttery or starchy base that absorbs its juices and turns the fruit into the center of a pastry, pudding, or grain dish.
Rosemary gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Rum concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
Saffron gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
salads
Salads gives apricots a savory counterpoint, making the fruit useful in salads, slaws, and cooked side dishes.
sauternes
Sauternes concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
Sour cream rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.
Strawberries echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
sugar, brown
Sugar, brown amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
sugar, white
White sugar amplifies apricots's natural sweetness while adding caramelized, floral, or bitter notes for balance.
tea, apple
Tea, apple echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
tea, apricot
Tea, apricot echoes apricots's fruit character while adding a different balance of sweetness, acidity, or perfume.
tea, earl grey
Tea, earl grey works with apricots by balancing its honeyed tartness and floral stone-fruit sweetness with another clear flavor role.
Vanilla gives apricots aromatic lift, adding warmth or freshness so the fruit does not read as plain sweetness.
Red wine vinegar concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
Walnuts adds toastiness and texture to apricots's fruitiness, making the pairing feel fuller and less one-dimensional.
wine, sweet
Sweet wine concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
wine, white
White wine concentrates apricots's aroma and adds warmth, making the fruit feel more grown-up, because apparently even fruit needs a résumé.
Yogurt rounds apricots's tartness with creamy richness, a classic move for desserts, salads, and breakfast dishes.