Food Flavors That Don't Belong Together

The world of food is full of strange and daring combinations, pushing the limits of what we consider tasty or even edible. From a cheeseburger donut to a sardine and grape salad, these odd pairings often divide opinions (some are cult favorites). But are they culinary disasters or unexpected delights? We leave it to you to decide, personally, we’re not against starting our day with Vegemite and Banana Toast.

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Some classics should not be messed with, ever. And the cheeseburger donut also known as the Luther (as in Vandross) Burger is a prime example. What should be eaten separately need not be consumed together. However, if you're feeling adventurous, check out this recipe. You can also buy a ready made confection, and experts suggest a Krispy Kreme donut.

Contrast or not, blending sweet white chocolate with spicy wasabi and coating with roasted pistachios might be someone’s idea of heaven, or hell — depending on how you take to the pungent horseradish-like condiment. This recipe has us almost convinced.

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Buy into the hype or not, this combination of salty, briny sardines with halved sweet grapes, spicy arugula, and a light vinaigrette is not our idea of a tasty meal. It's just too peculiar for our palate.

Two flavors you never thought you would see come together — but it's not too bad. Think creamy vanilla sweetness laced with some umami soy sauce, which actually enhances the sweetness of the ice cream, almost like a caramel, for a rather unique dessert pairing. Make it from scratch with this recipe.

If this isn’t an abomination to the New England staple, we don’t know what is. Imagine this: Clams, potatoes, and celery blended with a creamy ice cream base and made to resemble a popsicle. Sorry, our stomach is just churning at the thought of it. Despite sounding utterly unappetizing, watch this video by EmmyMade, where she makes and rates it.

Related: Once You Pop, You Can't Stop: 19 Pringles Flavors, Ranked

I love avocado and I love chocolate, but together... It just doesn’t rank, not for me. This recipe claims you can’t taste the avocado — but I disagree. Maybe I used an unripe avocado, or one that was on the verge of going brown. Either way, there are so many better ingredients you could pair either with. If you do insist, dark chocolate is recommended.

This combination might not be all bad — but you need to make sure you remove all the heat from the habaneros first (tip: you’re going to need milk). While habaneros have a smoky, fruity flavor it seems like a lot of trouble to go through for cookies. Try it for yourself.

Related: 33 of June's Best New Fast-Food Items, Including Dolly Parton's Krispy Kreme Donuts

This interesting combination is sweet, sour, and packed with food coloring additives. Why is there a need to have these two polar opposites together? Apparently it’s a cult favorite that you can make at home, so much so there’s a debate on whether the pickle juice should be discarded.

The Mid-Westerners will likely protest, but cinnamon rolls are perfectly delicious on their own and don’t need an accompanying side dish of hearty chili. But, if this sweet and savory union is your idea of bliss, here’s a recipe to try.

Related: The 10 Most Disgusting Regional Foods

Love it or hate it, Vegemite has this strange ability to polarize anyone foreign from Down Under. You don’t need a recipe for this Aussie school lunch staple (don’t forget a generous smear of butter). Here are some TikTok users weighing in.

Related: 10 Iconic Food Brands That Changed Their Recipe and People Lost Their Minds