Intensifying Flavors

When discussing the effect of combining flavors, an important factor is the level of each flavor that is present. One flavor can overwhelm another, while in a smaller quantity, as an accent, the same flavor has the power to bring out the other. For example, recipes for sweet desserts, such as cookies, often call for a pinch of salt. If too much salt were used, the cookies would taste unpleasantly salty, but in such a small quantity the salt serves to accent the sweetness of the cookies and to balance the resulting sweet flavor. Likewise, a pinch of sugar can be added to savory foods, such as sauces, to enhance their flavor.