Aromatic Flavour Bases: Mirepoix and Soffritto

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The aromatic flavour bases of France are called mirepoix, sofrito, and duxelles.

  • Mirepoix: It consists of diced onions, carrots, and celery, usually in a 2:1:1 ratio. It's commonly used in French cuisine as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.


  • Sofrito: This is a mix of diced onions, garlic, tomatoes, and sometimes peppers, which is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, including French cuisine, as a flavour base for dishes such as paella and ratatouille.


  • Duxelles: It is a mixture of finely chopped mushrooms, onions, and shallots cooked together with butter and herbs. It's often used in French cuisine as a flavour base for meat dishes, sauces, and stuffing.



The aromatic flavour bases of Italy vary by region, but some common ones include:

  1. Soffritto: a mixture of finely chopped onions, carrots, and celery, often used as a base for soups, stews, and tomato-based sauces.

  2. Battuto: a mixture of finely chopped onions, garlic, and parsley, often used in dishes from the central and southern regions of Italy.

  3. Odori: a combination of herbs and vegetables such as celery, carrots, and parsley, often used in broths and soups in northern Italy.

  4. Aglio, olio, e peperoncino: a simple mixture of garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, often used to flavor pasta dishes.

  5. Salsa di pomodoro: a tomato-based sauce that often includes garlic, onions, and herbs like basil or oregano.


The aromatic flavour bases of Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, can vary depending on the specific dish, but some common ingredients include:

  • Sofregit: a mixture of sautéed onions, tomatoes, and garlic, often used in rice dishes, stews, and sauces.
  • Samfaina: a vegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, often used as a side dish or as a base for meat dishes.
  • Picada: a paste made from toasted nuts, bread, garlic, and herbs, often used to thicken and flavor sauces and stews.
  • Escalivada: a dish made with roasted peppers, eggplant, and onions, often used as a side dish or as a base for other dishes.
  • Allioli: a garlic mayonnaise made with olive oil and garlic, often used as a condiment or as a base for sauces.


India has a rich culinary heritage with many aromatic flavour bases used in its cuisine. Some examples of aromatic flavour bases in Indian cooking are:

  1. Garam masala - a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, used in many Indian dishes.

  2. Tadka (tempering) - a technique of frying whole or ground spices, such as mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves, in hot oil or ghee, which is then added to a dish for flavour and aroma.

  3. Curry powder - a spice blend that typically includes turmeric, cumin, coriander, and other spices, used in curries and other dishes.

  4. Onion, garlic, and ginger - these aromatic vegetables are commonly used as a base for many Indian dishes, providing a strong flavour and aroma.

  5. Tomato and green chili - a flavour base used in many North Indian dishes, providing a sweet and sour taste along with heat from the chili.

These are just a few examples, as there are many different spices and ingredients used in Indian cuisine to create delicious and aromatic flavour bases.


The aromatic flavour bases commonly used in Guangdong (Cantonese) cuisine in China include:

  1. Scallions
  2. Ginger
  3. Garlic
  4. Shallots
  5. Chilies
  6. Star anise
  7. Five-spice powder
  8. Hoisin sauce
  9. Oyster sauce
  10. Shrimp paste

These ingredients are often used in combination to create complex and rich flavours in Cantonese dishes, such as stir-fries, braised dishes, and soups.

The aromatic flavour bases of the American South typically include the "holy trinity" of onions, celery, and green bell peppers. This flavour base is used in many classic Southern dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. Sometimes, garlic and tomatoes may also be added to this base to enhance the flavour profile. In Creole cuisine, this flavour base is often referred to as the "holy trinity," while in Cajun cuisine, it is known as the "holy trinity" with the addition of garlic, which is referred to as the "Cajun trinity."

The aromatic flavour bases of Puerto Rico are known as sofrito, which is a combination of ingredients that typically includes onions, garlic, green bell peppers, cilantro, and culantro (also known as recao), as well as tomatoes, achiote (annatto) seeds, and sometimes other herbs and spices. Sofrito is used as a base for many traditional Puerto Rican dishes, including stews, beans, rice dishes, and sauces.


The aromatic flavour bases of West Africa vary depending on the region and country, but some common ingredients include:

  1. Onions
  2. Garlic
  3. Ginger
  4. Scotch Bonnet peppers or other hot peppers
  5. Tomatoes
  6. African nutmeg (also known as ehuru or calabash nutmeg)
  7. Smoked fish or meat (such as smoked turkey or fish)
  8. Palm oil
  9. Stockfish (dried and salted cod)
  10. Locally grown herbs and spices like thyme, basil, and curry leaves.

These ingredients are often used together in stews, soups, and sauces to create complex and flavourful dishes that are unique to West African cuisine.

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