Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Lori Walker
Vanilla is among the most popular flavors worldwide as it adds sweet and rounded flavors that warmly complement other ingredients.
Meanwhile, lemon is another versatile baking ingredient that adds tanginess and depth to baked goods.
Adding too much of either ingredient could overwhelm the whole flavor profile of your final product. But what if we combine these two in the same dish?
Do vanilla and lemon go together? Read on.
Can Vanilla & Lemon Go Together?
Yes, vanilla and lemon can go together in cooking and baking. These two ingredients can balance the flavors of each other if used in the right measurement.
Vanilla comes in different types, such as vanilla paste, beans, and extracts.
Vanilla extract is the most commonly used in baking, incorporating an intensely rich flavor for cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.
On the other hand, lemons are easy to find, inexpensive, and a flavor enhancer like salt [1]. It adds a savory taste to your dishes.
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Will It Complement Each Other?
Yes, vanilla and lemon complement each other. Both have strong flavors that can dominate other ingredients if you add too much.
Lemon is a versatile addition to your recipe with a sweet and sour tangy taste, while vanilla is creamy and sweet.
Once combined, these two ingredients could balance the sweetness of vanilla and the sharp flavors of lemon.
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Benefits Of Combining Lemon & Vanilla
Keeps Lemon From Being Sharp
Lemons have a strong flavor profile that can easily dominate other recipes in the mixture.
That’s why you must measure it properly, or else too much lemon may lead to baked goods with harsh sour, and bitter flavors.
Fortunately, vanilla is a classic flavor that can cut through the sharpness of too much lemon. It can exude sweetness that can balance the taste of the final product.
Adds More Depth of Flavor
Lemon has the same function as salt, enhancing the flavors of dishes and baked foods. Some savory dishes call for a squeeze of lemon in their recipe at the end of the cooking process.
On the other hand, incorporating vanilla in cooking or baking creates a wonderfully complex taste that can mask the bitterness of other ingredients. It adds a sugary-floral flavor layer to the mixture.
Tones Down The Acid
The citric acid in lemons intensifies and enhances chemical reactions when baking, giving the foods a fresh and clean taste.
“In addition to adding its own distinctive flavor, the acidity of lemon juice and zest sharpens the other flavors in a dish.”
– Ocean Robbins, Author
But this acid also causes a taste of sourness which you can help balance by adding vanilla.
Brings Out Tangy Sweetness
Another benefit of combining vanilla and lemon is how these recipes could bring a tangy sweetness to the food. The flavor turns into this state after vanilla tones down the acid in the lemon.
Lemon zest imparts true lemon aroma and flavor without the sourness, while vanilla can mitigate off notes, resulting in a more well-blended flavor.
Check out the steps on how you can start baking as a hobby here.
When Should You Not Combine It?
You should not combine lemon and vanilla if you have health-related concerns.
Although these two ingredients can give another dimension to the flavor profile of your dish, they have certain varieties that are not suitable for some people.
For instance, some people avoid vanilla extract because of its alcohol content [2]. Citrus fruits can also cause gastrointestinal irritation, and people on a bland diet tend to avoid them.
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Where Can You Mix In Vanilla & Lemon?
You can mix vanilla and lemon in various desserts and baked goods. You can mix these two recipes when making Lemon Cake, Lemon Cupcakes, or Lemon Cheesecake Mousse.
You can also make a quick sweet dessert like Lemon Vanilla Posset with simple ingredients like heavy cream, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla bean.
Furthermore, many vanilla vodka drinks in the market can sometimes be too sweet. Adding a lemon strikes a nice and refreshing balance to these alcoholic drinks.
How Does It Taste Like?
These two ingredients have a well-balanced taste of tangy sweetness. If you incorporate too much lemon in the recipe, the meal or dish may have a sharp taste of lemon.
The gentle notes of vanilla can help cut through these flavor notes.
Similarly, too much vanilla could make the dish very sweet, and lemon can help combat that sweetness and balance its flavors.
Read: What Can You Make With Leftover Pastry Cream?
FAQs
Do lemon and vanilla smell good together?
Yes, lemon and vanilla smell good together. It has a tangy but fresh scent and a creamy and sweet aroma.
Does citrus go with vanilla?
Yes, lemon and vanilla pair well. Too much vanilla or too much lemon can dominate the dish’s taste.
However, if put together, these two ingredients form a well-balanced and refreshing flavor for any dish or drink.
Do lemon and vanilla pair well?
Yes, lemon and vanilla pair well. Too much vanilla or too much lemon can dominate the dish’s taste. However, if put together, these two ingredients form a well-balanced and refreshing flavor for any dish or drink.
The Bottom Line
Lemons can bring a refreshing touch to your dishes, while vanilla is a classic flavor widely-acceptable worldwide.
Some people prefer to incorporate vanilla in their every meal. Its versatility provides foods with a strong aroma and smooth taste.
It helps cut through the sharpness and acid of the lemon and imparts more dimension to your baked goods.
There could be some health-related restrictions, but most of the time, these two ingredients are a powerful addition to your recipes.
References:
- https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/lemons-the-secret-ingredient-that-makes-everything-taste-better/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8-substitutes-for-vanilla-extract
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