(BPT) - Summertime is just about here, and that means new temperatures, new travel plans, and perhaps most importantly, new flavors. Finding the right flavor combinations can make or break your summer taste experiences. In fact, new research from Cape Cod Potato Chips surveying Americans 21+ finds that 71% say the key to successful summer meals and snacks is finding perfect flavor pairings.
But, identifying the perfect pair on your own isn’t always as easy as it sounds. More than three-quarters of respondents (76%) say they would love help learning how to pair flavors together.
To help kick off the summer flavor pairing season, two of New England’s iconic brands, Cape Cod Potato Chips and Samuel Adams Brewery, have come together for the first time to craft the perfect pairing: Limited Edition Cape Cod Summer Potato Chips and Samuel Adams New England IPA. The flavors have been developed to best complement each other, with the chips featuring cracked pepper and lemon flavors, accompanying the medium-bodied, hazy brew that balances sweet and bitter with bold notes of citrus and tropical juiciness.
So why do these flavors pair so well together, and what exactly makes chips and beer the ultimate duo for summer? Here are your top three tips for perfecting the art of pairing.
1. Go for the Crowd Pleasers
Whether you’re picking up items for a barbecue or setting up for an evening at home, it’s never a bad idea to grab the fan favorite flavors. Think about universally beloved tastes as your foundation, and build pairings from there. So which items round out the top favorites for a summer gathering? Americans 21+ have ranked the top must-have sides at a summer barbecue: 1) Beer, 87%; 2) Chips, 82%; 3) Potato Salad, 60%.
2. Lean Into Seasonal Flavor Favorites
Cape Cod’s new research has uncovered what Americans say are the top three flavors of the summer: 1) Citrus; 2) Sweet; 3) Salty. Start with these as a base to any flavor pairings of the season and you’ll set yourself up for a taste bud experience that’s not only tasty and refreshing, but will get you excited for the new season happening right outside your window!
3. Learn to Spot the “Complements”
When you’re first starting out, the best way to begin pairing is asking yourself what flavors and tastes will offer a complementary balance. Does it sound like the flavors share similar notes, or will bring out the best in each other? Take the Limited Edition Cape Cod Summer Potato Chips and Samuel Adams New England IPA, for example. Cape Cod Chip’s cracked pepper and lemon flavors pair with Samuel Adams IPA’s citrus fruit notes. The result? A complementary taste experience that captures the taste of summer — whether you’re at the beach or enjoying your lunch break.
And most importantly, don’t forget to sit back, relax and enjoy summer wherever you are. Because when your hand’s in the bag, your head’s in the Cape. For more information on Cape Cod Potato Chips and Samuel Adams, visit https://www.capecodchips.com/ and https://www.samueladams.com/.
Methodology: This online survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Cape Cod Potato Chips from May 13-15, 2019 among 1,047 consumers aged 21+ across the United States.
