Pineapples and strawberries are both delicious fruits that are enjoyed around the world. But do these two fruits actually pair well together? Let’s take a closer look at the flavors, textures, potential uses, health benefits, and scientific research behind pairing pineapples and strawberries.
Flavors
When considering whether two foods go well together, it’s important to consider their flavors. Pineapples and strawberries have contrasting flavor profiles:
- Pineapples are tropical, sweet, and slightly tart with hints of citrus.
- Strawberries are sweet, juicy, and have a more subtle, floral flavor.
While the flavors are quite different, they can work well together by balancing each other out. The sweetness of the strawberries helps to temper the tartness of the pineapple. When combined, they create a fruit salad with layered, complex flavors.
Textures
In addition to flavors, the textures of pineapples and strawberries can complement each other:
- Pineapples are juicy yet also fibrous with a crisp bite.
- Strawberries have a soft, seedy texture and easily squash when bitten into.
The contrast of the firm pineapple and delicate strawberry adds appealing textural variety. The juice from the crushed strawberries also helps soften the fibrous pineapple chunks into a cohesive fruit salad.
Potential uses
There are many ways pineapples and strawberries can be used together to create sweet and delicious dishes:
- Fruit salad – The classic way to combine the fruits. Works well in larger chunks or smaller diced pieces.
- Smoothies – Blending the fruits makes a tropical, creamy drink.
- Skewers – Alternating the fruits on skewers makes a pretty party snack or dessert.
- Salsa – Diced into a chunky salsa to eat with chips or fish.
- Toppings – Sliced fruits as toppings on cakes, cupcakes, tarts, or cheesecakes.
- Kebabs – Thread cubes of the fruits onto skewers and grill for a hot dessert.
The fruits pair nicely in both sweet and savory applications thanks to their complementary flavors and textures.
Health benefits
In addition to being a tasty combination, pineapples and strawberries offer a few joint health benefits when eaten together:
- Vitamin C – Pineapples and strawberries both provide this essential vitamin. One cup of pineapple has 78% DV and a cup of strawberries has 85% DV.
- Fiber – Each fruit contributes fiber to help regulate digestion. Pineapples have 2.3g per cup and strawberries have 3g.
- Antioxidants – The mix provides antioxidants like anthocyanins and bromelain to reduce inflammation and cell damage.
- Hydration – Their high water contents of 87% and 91% make them hydrating fruits.
By combining the fruits, you obtain a greater concentration of these beneficial nutrients and compounds that can positively impact your health.
Scientific research
Very little formal scientific research has directly examined the combination of pineapples and strawberries. However, a couple of studies provide some insights:
- A 2016 study found strawberries paired better with citrus flavors like oranges and grapefruits compared to pineapples. Participants rated the strawberry-citrus combinations as more acceptable.
- A 2018 study found strawberries contain a compound called furaneol which amplifies sweetness. This may complement the sweet-tart flavor of pineapples.
- Research shows mixing fruits provides more diverse phytochemicals and antioxidants compared to a single fruit.
While more research is needed on pineapples and strawberries specifically, the limited studies indicate the fruits can pair well together through their interacting flavors.
Conclusion
Pineapples and strawberries can make an excellent fruit combo thanks to their complementary flavors, contrasting textures, sweet-tart taste profile, diverse health benefits, and abilities to be used in various recipes. While not extensively studied together, initial research suggests their flavors can interact in beneficial ways. When mixed properly, pineapples and strawberries combine into a bright, multifaceted fruit salad. So don’t hesitate to put them together in your next dish!