Some cheese experts are sharing how to create cheese pairings that are more interesting and will wow your taste buds and your guests.
Sydney Wilcox says there are three ways to create cheese pairings that go beyond the basics.
- Focus on oppositions, like sweet and salty. Contrasting both flavor and texture is key, like a creamy cheese with a crunchy cracker and a harder cheese with soft bread.
- Look for what goes in harmony with the cheese’s flavor. She gives the example of smoked cheese with bacon or a nutty Gruyére with toasted nuts.
- Make sure the intensity of the flavors match. Julia Birnbaum, a cheesemonger and founder of Philly Cheese School, explains, “The biggest bummer is when one product totally overpowers the other and you can only taste that.
Cheese experts share their suggestions for unique cheese pairings you probably haven’t tried:
- Payday candy bar and Gouda
- Chocolate covered espresso beans and aged cheddar
- Sour gummy worms and fresh chèvre (goat cheese)
- Dark chocolate and blue cheese
- Sharp cheddar and hard-boiled eggs
- Feta and crispy fried bacon
- Pickled veggies and fresh cheese (like feta, cottage and mascarpone)
- Peanut butter and aged cheddar
- Chocolate milk and habanero cheese
Source: Yahoo