7 Unexpected Flavor Combinations to Try This Season

This combo starts sweet then gets a big spike of flavor thanks to sharp parmesan cheese. You can create a fresh cheese platter featuring strawberries and shaved parmesan or add both to fresh spinach leaves and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for a light salad. I love to slice strawberries in half and top with a curl of parmesan — simple yet so good.

Coconut gets a boost thanks to earthy garlic, which results in a sweet yet savory bite. Think about marinating shrimp in olive oil and garlic before grilling then finishing with finely chopped toasted coconut. Fresh, slightly spicy, and just a bit unique.

If your sweet tooth is calling, sink into the luxurious flavor of caramel and the crunchy, salty kick of pretzels. Sweet and salty may already be your favorite flavor combination (guilty as charged!), but if sugar crashes aren't your cup of tea, try this tasty duo in a Chobani Flip Salted Caramel Crunch, which is healthy and filling at the same time — and takes care of cravings.

I always have a big pitcher of lime-mint water chilling in the fridge for drinking on hot days. It's so refreshing and the flavor also pairs well with your dinner recipes too. Marinade chicken with lime, then grill or broil. Top with chopped mint and serve with a fresh salad. It's a bright touch to whatever you're eating.

Apricots are wonderfully tart yet sweet, and when paired with rich and salty pistachios, it's like a perfect marriage. There's a little back-and-forth with the flavors, but once you start, you just can't stop. Slice apricots into fourths and top each section with chopped pistachios for a bright snack.

Last Summer, I felt adventurous at a local restaurant and ordered the special, which came with a watermelon and aged feta cheese salad. It was drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and absolutely delicious. It's basically my go-to salad whenever guests come over and goes alongside pretty much anything off the grill.

Fresh basil is wonderfully fragrant and light in flavor, which makes it so good when combined with ripe peaches. Make a unique appetizer for your next gathering by wrapping slices of peaches in large basil leaves and securing with a toothpick. Yum.