Exam Focus
- Differentiate complement, contrast, and cut.
- Use similar flavors to harmonize and opposing flavors to highlight.
- Use carbonation, sourness, bitterness, alcohol, and roast to refresh rich foods.
What to know
Pairing mechanics include resonance, contrast, and palate-refreshing cut.
Syllabus detail
- Complement, resonate, or harmonize means similar or compatible flavors appear in beer and food.
- Contrast means an opposing flavor highlights the food or beer.
- Cut means beer traits such as carbonation, sourness, bitterness, and to a lesser extent alcohol or roastiness lift or remove rich or fatty flavors from the palate.
Study task
Be ready to explain flavor interactions in the context of pairing concepts and apply it to a realistic Certified Cicerone® service, tasting, brewing, style, or pairing scenario.
Key Terms
- Flavor interactions
- Differentiate complement, contrast, and cut.