When I was little, I was convinced that tomato sauce made everything taste better. Chips, eggs, bread… even ice cream once (it was a dare, okay?). To my surprise, it wasn’t terrible. The tang of the tomato somehow balanced the creamy sweetness. I didn’t realise it then, but that strange little experiment was my first taste of a simple truth: sometimes, flavours that shouldn’t work together actually do.
Read more: Food combining craze, is it worth it?
Curious, I decided to find out which unexpected duos South Africans swear by – the ones that make people raise an eyebrow until they take a bite.
Here are six that prove flavour rules are meant to be broken:
Peanut butter and onion
This odd couple sounds like something you’d only try once… yet it has a few famous fans (including a certain Aussie movie star). The combo works because the creamy sweetness of peanut butter softens the sharpness of onion, while the onion adds crunch and depth. Think of it as satay with a twist – just maybe keep the breath mints handy.
Oreos and Dijon mustard
A pairing that can only be explained by pure curiosity or a moment of chaos. But surprisingly, it delivers. The spicy tang of Dijon cuts through the sugary filling, letting the cocoa biscuit’s flavour shine. It’s sweet, sharp, and oddly balanced – like chocolate with attitude.
Weet-Bix and butter
Forget milk for a second. A thick spread of salted butter on a dry Weet-Bix turns the humble breakfast cereal into a crunchy, toasty treat. It’s basically a savoury biscuit in disguise – simple, satisfying, and strangely addictive.
Milk chocolate and corn chips
Sweet meets salty meets history. The Aztecs were eating cocoa and corn long before chocolate bars existed, so this combo’s got ancient approval. The sweetness of chocolate melts into the nutty crunch of corn chips, with just enough salt to tie it all together. Snack perfection, no judgement required.
Maltesers and Salt & Vinegar chips
This one’s a full-on sensory experience. The zesty tang of vinegar collides with the Maltesers’ malted sweetness in the best way. Add the mix of light crunch and creamy chocolate and you’ve got a snack that shouldn’t make sense – but somehow absolutely does.
Blue cheese and white chocolate
It’s bold. It’s risky. It’s brilliant. The rich sweetness of white chocolate tames the funk of blue cheese, while the saltiness brings out the choc’s vanilla notes. It’s the kind of pairing that might raise eyebrows first… until you taste that sweet-salty harmony.
So, the next time someone side-eyes your plate, just smile and take a bite. After all, the best food discoveries often start with a little curiosity – and a lot of courage.
ALSO SEE: WINE PAIRINGS WITH A TWIST
Images: Pexels
