Odd Pairs: Matching Fruits and Cheeses
Blue cheese and figs
When it comes to cheese and fruit pairings, there’s probably nothing more classic than figs and blue cheese. The intense, salty blue cheese is perfectly softened by the syrupy flavor of the figs, creating a beautifully balanced flavor. Of course, blue cheese is a very divisive food, so we recommend this pairing even for those who are just getting to know it. The intense flavor of blue cheese can overwhelm your taste buds at first, but the sweetness of the figs makes this feeling much more manageable and pleasant.
Cheddar and apple
This is also a classic: if you like simple and clean flavors, the combination of cheddar and apple can be a perfect choice. The crunchy, juicy fruit and the tart, ripe cheddar complement each other perfectly, and you can get different results by choosing different versions of apple and cheese. Feel free to choose a riper cheese, a sweeter apple, and make it even more exciting with a little candied pecans.
Goat cheese and fresh berries
Goat cheese is usually either loved or hated by people, but the latter can be a good choice when served with berries. Their lightness evokes the flavors of summer, which are hard to say no to. Goat cheese has an earthier flavor than cheese made from cow's milk, but the sweet tartness of fresh berries offsets the strong notes of the cheese. The slightly sour taste and creaminess of goat's milk cheese is very well enhanced by blueberries, for example.
Gouda and peach
The juicy peaches go very well with the slightly caramel flavor of the gouda. It's a softer combination that works well with bolder pairings on a cheese platter. It's important to choose ripe, really juicy and sweet peaches, and don't forget the walnuts. Don't worry if the season is over, because gouda also works very well with dried apricots.
Blue cheese and watermelon
Watermelon is one of the most popular fruits, and it's a great choice on its own, but you can also use it to enhance salads, make garpacho, or serve it with cheese. Plus, you don't have to worry about anything fancy: just remove the seeds from the melon, dice it, and crumble the blue cheese on top. If you want to make it even more exciting, add thinly sliced red onion slices - the combination will be not only delicious, but also visually pleasing.
Parmesan and strawberries
Strawberry season is not by chance one of the favorite times of the year for fruit lovers, as there are so many exciting ways to use it – of course, it can’t be missing from a cheese plate. And if you think that Parmesan only has its place on a delicious Italian pasta, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Thinly slice good quality, fresh Parmesan, add the strawberries, and then drizzle with balsamic vinegar. The wonderful thing about pairing cheese and fruit is that sometimes you come across a combination suggestion that you wouldn’t have thought of.
