Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese and chocolate are two foods with very distinct flavours and textures. While they are both often enjoyed with a glass of wine, can they be enjoyed together? The answer is yes, and there are several ways to pair blue cheese and chocolate. Blue cheese is a strong flavour, so it is often paired with dark chocolate, which can stand up to its sharpness. The sweetness of the chocolate contrasts beautifully with the pungency and saltiness of the blue cheese. When pairing blue cheese and chocolate, it is best to opt for a high-quality dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or higher.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Blue Cheese |
| Chocolate type | Dark Chocolate |
| Texture | Blue Cheese: Soft, Brittle, Creamy, Spreadable |
| Dark Chocolate: Solid, Smooth, Intense | |
| Flavour | Blue Cheese: Sharp, Pungent, Salty, stinky |
| Dark Chocolate: Sweet, Nutty, Bitter, Earthy | |
| Taste | Salty, sweet, nutty, bitter, earthy |
| Pairing rule | Like with like |
| Pairing rule exception | Contrasting flavours and textures can complement each other |
| Other good blue cheese pairings | Goat's cheese, ginger chocolate, triple cream |
| Other good dark chocolate pairings | Milk chocolate, almonds, honey, maple, truffles, caramels, toffee |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese and dark chocolate are a good pairing
Blue cheese, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton, has distinct blue veins and bold, pungent notes. The saltiness of the blue cheese is a good match for the less-sweet, rich taste of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate with almonds or other nuts is a classic pairing with blue cheese. The nuttiness complements the umami flavour of the cheese.
When pairing cheese and chocolate, it is generally recommended to match like with like, pairing cheeses and chocolates of similar strengths and flavour profiles. The texture of the cheese should also be considered, with softer, creamier cheeses pairing well with smoother chocolates, and harder, aged cheeses pairing well with darker, more intense chocolates. The aim is to balance the pairing by matching the intensity of the cheese and chocolate.
Blue cheese and dark chocolate are a good example of this like-with-like principle. Both have strong flavours, and the chocolate is able to stand up to the sharpness of the blue cheese. The sweetness of the chocolate also helps to balance the saltiness of the cheese.
The combination of blue cheese and dark chocolate is a unique and delightful flavour pairing, offering a harmonious and intriguing taste experience.
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Blue cheese and ginger chocolate
Blue cheese and chocolate are a bold and unique pairing. The pungent, salty, and spicy flavour of the blue cheese is complemented by the sweetness of chocolate. The bitterness of dark chocolate, in particular, can contrast with the subtle sweetness of blue cheese, resulting in a harmonious and intriguing taste experience.
When it comes to pairing blue cheese with chocolate, a few guidelines can enhance the experience. Firstly, consider the texture of the blue cheese. Blue cheese is often a soft, spreadable cheese, which pairs well with solid chocolate. A rich, dark chocolate truffle, for example, can stand up to the strong flavour profile of blue cheese while providing a sweet and dense complement.
Secondly, match the intensity of the blue cheese with the chocolate. Blue cheese has a strong flavour, so it is best paired with a chocolate that can withstand its sharpness, such as dark chocolate. Dark chocolate, with its intense flavour and hints of earthiness, can balance the boldness of blue cheese.
Now, let's bring ginger into the mix. Ginger is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavour profile of both blue cheese and chocolate. When combined with blue cheese, ginger adds a spicy and slightly sweet note, creating an intriguing contrast. In chocolate, ginger can contribute a subtle warmth and zest, especially when paired with the right type of chocolate.
When pairing blue cheese and ginger with chocolate, consider the following suggestions:
- Blue cheese and gingerbread cookies: The spiciness of gingerbread can complement the pungency of blue cheese, creating a festive and flavourful combination.
- Blue cheese and dark chocolate with ginger: Infusing dark chocolate with ginger can add a subtle spice that enhances the sweetness of the chocolate while also providing a contrast to the salty and sharp notes of blue cheese.
- Blue cheese, chocolate-covered ginger, and nuts: Chocolate-covered crystallised ginger provides a sweet and spicy contrast to the creaminess of blue cheese, while the addition of nuts offers a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour dimension.
In conclusion, blue cheese and ginger can be delightfully paired with chocolate, particularly dark chocolate. The key to a successful pairing lies in considering the texture, intensity, and flavour profiles of all components, as well as experimenting to discover your preferred combinations.
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Blue cheese and chocolate truffles
Blue cheese, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton, is known for its distinct blue veins and strong, pungent flavour. The sharpness and aroma of blue cheese can be enhanced when paired with a strong, dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has less sugar and a richer, more intense flavour that can stand up to the boldness of blue cheese. When choosing a dark chocolate, look for a higher cocoa percentage (70% or higher) to complement the strong flavour of the blue cheese.
Chocolate truffles, on the other hand, are known for their creamy texture and prominent dairy and butter notes. The smooth and rich characteristics of truffles can balance the sharpness of blue cheese. When pairing blue cheese with chocolate truffles, opt for a softer, spreadable cheese that will create an exciting contrast with the solid chocolate. The buttery flavours in the truffles can also complement the creaminess of certain blue cheeses.
When creating blue cheese and chocolate truffle pairings, it is essential to consider the specific types of blue cheese and truffles available. Experimentation is key, and you may find that certain combinations work better than others. For example, you could try pairing a creamy and pungent blue cheese with a plain dark chocolate truffle, allowing the sweetness of the truffle to balance the saltiness of the cheese. Alternatively, if your blue cheese is on the milder side, you might pair it with a flavoured dark chocolate truffle, such as one infused with ginger or fruit like figs, cherries, or raspberries, to add a new dimension to the combination.
In summary, blue cheese and chocolate truffles can be a delightful pairing when the flavour profiles and textures are carefully considered. The key is to experiment and trust your taste preferences to discover the perfect balance of sweet and savoury, smooth and creamy, and bold and intense. So, go ahead and create your own blue cheese and chocolate truffle combinations to indulge in this unique and intriguing taste experience.
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Blue cheese and chocolate fondue
Blue cheese and chocolate are a bold and unique pairing. The pungent and salty flavour of blue cheese contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of chocolate. The combination of these two ingredients can create a delightful and harmonious taste experience.
Start by combining the blue cheese with cornstarch in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Keep stirring and add the wine, milk, and cream cheese. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and melted. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook for 1 minute. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 8 minutes or until the fondue is smooth, making sure to stir often. Pour the fondue into a pot and serve with a variety of dippers.
For dippers, you can offer French bread, carrot sticks, Hickory Farms Smoked Sausage, Tyson Boneless Wyngz, and Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage. You can also serve the fondue with kettle chips, topped with crumbled crispy bacon and diced spring onions, or as a dip for chicken wings.
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Blue cheese and milk chocolate
Blue cheese and chocolate is a bold and unique pairing. The pungent and salty flavour of the blue cheese beautifully contrasts the sweetness of the chocolate. The key to pairing cheese with chocolate is to match their intensities. Blue cheese is a strong flavour, so it is best paired with a strong chocolate, such as extra dark chocolate.
Milk chocolate is a classic option with a sweet flavour and creamy texture thanks to its high milk content. It is a good option for those just stepping into the world of chocolate and cheese pairings. Milk chocolate is best paired with cheeses that are also creamy and slightly sweet, such as goat's cheese. It also goes well with harder cheeses like Gruyère.
Blue cheese is a strong, sharp and pungent cheese with a salty flavour. It is best paired with a high-quality dark chocolate to balance the flavours. However, blue cheese can also be paired with milk chocolate if the milk chocolate is not too sweet. If the milk chocolate is too sweet, it will overpower the buttery flavour of the blue cheese.
When creating a cheese and chocolate pairing, it is important to consider the texture of the cheese. Generally, creamy and softer cheeses go well with smoother chocolates, while harder and aged cheeses pair better with darker, more intense chocolates. It is also important to match the intensity of the cheese and chocolate, creating a balanced pairing.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is often described as pungent and salty, with bold and sharp notes. To balance these flavours, a high-quality dark chocolate is recommended. The darker the chocolate, the better it can stand up to the strong flavour of the blue cheese.
Blue cheese and chocolate together can create a unique and delightful flavour combination. Some examples of blue cheese and chocolate pairings include:
- Oregano Fusion dark chocolate with blue cheese
- Ginger chocolate with blue cheese
- Dark chocolate truffles with blue cheese
- Dark chocolate almond bark with blue cheese
There are several types of cheese that are known to pair well with chocolate. Some examples include:
- Goat cheese with milk chocolate
- Parmigiano Reggiano with dark chocolate and almonds
- Cheddar cheese with dark chocolate
- Gouda with milk chocolate
- Gruyère with milk chocolate
When pairing cheese and chocolate, it is important to consider the texture and intensity of both the cheese and the chocolate. Soft and creamy cheeses tend to pair well with smooth chocolates, while harder cheeses go well with darker, more intense chocolates. It is also recommended to match the intensity of the cheese and chocolate by pairing similar strengths and flavour profiles.
Some other unique cheese and chocolate pairings include:
- Camembert with drinking chocolate
- Triple cream cheese with dark chocolate
- Aged cheddar with white chocolate
