Kamil Perry
Honey and cheese are a fantastic pairing, and including honey on a cheese board can elevate the entire experience. Honey is meant to enhance the flavour of cheese, not smother it, so it should be used sparingly. There are several ways to serve honey on a cheese board: by drizzling it over a wedge of cheese, leaving a jar of honey on the side, or presenting a slice of honeycomb as a stunning visual element. Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese, especially mild and creamy cheeses, tangy or acidic cheeses, and aged cheeses. To further enhance the experience, the cheese board can include accompaniments such as nuts, fresh fruits, crackers or bread, and cured meats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honey type | Orange blossom, lavender, clover, acacia blossom, black sage, wildflower, tupelo, sourwood, saw palmetto, cinnamon, lemon, chocolate, raspberry, truffle |
| Honey form | Liquid, honeycomb |
| Cheese pairings | Blue cheese, goat cheese, feta, ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, cheddar, Brie, triple creams, Camembert, Havarti |
| Other pairings | Nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, cashews), fruits (grapes, pears, apples, figs, apricots, berries), crackers, bread, cured meats, veggies, dips, sauces, olives, pickles |
| Presentation | Drizzle honey over cheese, serve jar of honey on side, include labelled ramekins, add fresh herbs, arrange board with variety of foods |
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What You'll Learn
Honeycomb as the centrepiece
A juicy slice of honeycomb can be the centrepiece of your cheese board. Leaving the honeycomb whole adds a stunning visual element to your cheese plate. You can place the honeycomb in its box in the centre of your board and build the rest of the board around it. This will also help keep the honeycomb clean and preserve any leftovers.
Honeycomb adds a chewy texture that slowly melts in the mouth. It can be eaten on its own or used to top a piece of cheese or charcuterie. Honeycomb pairs well with sharp, salty cheese and cured meats. You can also add your favourite nuts, olives, dried fruit, fresh fruit, mustards, and pickles.
If you want to experiment with different honeys, you can try drizzling a variety of honeys on different types of crackers and bread. For example, you could try drizzling a Florida varietal honey on a slice of baguette or a Midwest varietal honey on an herby cracker. You could also add a jar of honey to the side of the board for guests to drizzle over their cheese.
Remember, honey is meant to enhance the flavour of cheese, not smother it, so use it sparingly.
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Drizzling honey over cheese
Honey is an excellent addition to a cheese board, and drizzling honey over cheese is a great way to serve it. The sweet honey balances the sharp, salty cheese, creating a delightful combination.
When choosing honey for your cheese board, consider the different varieties available. Good honey, like wine, has layers of flavour and nuances in colour, fragrance, thickness, and texture, depending on the flowers surrounding the hive. For instance, honey named after flowers, such as orange blossom, lavender, and clover, indicates the type of flower the bees gathered nectar from. These subtle flavour differences can enhance your cheese board experience. You can also find flavoured honey, infused with lavender, orange, raspberry, or truffle.
When drizzling honey over cheese, the key is to use it sparingly so that it enhances the flavour of the cheese without overwhelming it. You can drizzle honey over wedges of cheese just before serving, or provide a jar of honey on the side for guests to drizzle themselves. Hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano, and aged cheddars are delicious with a drizzle of honey, and you may find that cutting these cheeses into wedges and letting guests dip them into honey works well. Blue cheese is also heavenly with honey, as the sweet honey mellows out its strong flavour. Mild, soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Havarti are also excellent choices for drizzling with honey, perhaps served with some apple or pear slices for an extra touch.
To create a well-rounded cheese board, consider including other accompaniments alongside the honey and cheese. Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, or cashews add a crunchy texture and nutty flavour. Fresh fruits like pears, apples, grapes, figs, apricots, and berries can complement the cheese and honey, providing a refreshing contrast. Cured meats, crackers, breads, and pretzel crisps can also be added to create a satisfying savoury element.
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Honey and blue cheese
Choosing the Right Honey
When selecting honey, opt for a high-quality variety that complements the blue cheese. You can choose a floral honey, such as orange blossom, lavender, or clover honey, which gets its unique flavour from the nectar of specific flowers. Alternatively, you can select flavoured honey infused with lavender, orange, raspberry, or truffle notes. For an even more impressive presentation, consider purchasing honey with chunks of honeycomb or a whole piece of honeycomb with honey inside. The honeycomb adds a unique texture and visual appeal to your cheese board.
Preparing the Blue Cheese
To prepare the blue cheese, bring it to room temperature before serving. This will ensure that the cheese is soft and easy to crumble or spread. You can serve the blue cheese as a wedge or crumble it onto a plate, depending on your preferred presentation. If you're serving it as a wedge, you can drizzle the honey over the cheese just before your guests arrive or provide a jar of honey on the side for guests to add as they please. If you crumble the blue cheese, simply drizzle the desired amount of honey over the crumbled cheese.
Accompaniments
To enhance your honey and blue cheese pairing, consider serving it with various accompaniments. Sliced baguette or artisan bread pairs perfectly with the honey and blue cheese, providing a neutral base to showcase the flavours. You can also offer crackers, such as plain or lightly flavoured varieties, for a similar purpose. For added texture and flavour, include a variety of nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Fresh fruits like apples, pears, grapes, or even seasonal fruits like celery or bell peppers, can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese and honey.
Additional Tips
Remember, the key to pairing honey with blue cheese is to use the honey sparingly. It should enhance the flavour of the cheese, not overpower it. If you're serving multiple types of cheese, consider providing different types of honey to find the perfect pairing for each cheese. You can also offer a selection of other cheeses that pair well with honey, such as mild cheddar, ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, goat cheese, or Brie.
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Honey and soft cheeses
One way to serve honey with soft cheeses is to drizzle it over the cheese just before your guests arrive. You can also provide a jar of honey on the side, allowing your guests to drizzle it themselves. Another option is to leave a piece of honeycomb on the cheese plate, creating a visually stunning presentation. Guests can cut off pieces of honeycomb to enjoy with the cheese.
When creating a cheese board with honey and soft cheeses, consider adding complementary elements. Fresh or dried fruits such as figs, apricots, berries, apples, pears, or grapes can add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese and honey. Crackers or sliced baguette provide a neutral base, making it easier for your guests to enjoy the cheese and honey.
Additionally, nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans add crunch and nutty flavours to the cheese board. You can also include other spreads, dips, or sauces to offer a variety of flavours and textures for your guests to explore. Play around with different types of honey, such as orange blossom, lavender, or clover, to find the perfect pairing for your soft cheeses.
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Honey and cured meats
Honey is a fantastic addition to a cheese board, enhancing the flavour of cheese without overwhelming it. It is a great pairing with cured meats, especially the salty ones. The key is to use honey sparingly, so it does not overwhelm the other flavours on the board.
When it comes to honey and cured meats, there are several options to consider. Firstly, honey mustard is a great choice, providing a savoury and slightly spicy note to the board. This pairs well with most cheeses and cured meats, especially salami.
Secondly, consider the type of honey. Delicate floral honeys, such as orange blossom, lavender, and clover, add subtle nuances of flavour to the board. These honeys are fantastic with creamy, mild cheeses, such as ricotta, and softer cheeses like brie and camembert. For stronger, full-flavoured cheeses, herbal honeys are a good choice. Spicy honeys also work well with bigger, bolder cheeses like cheddar.
Thirdly, the presentation of honey on a board can vary. Leaving a honeycomb whole is a visually stunning option, with guests able to cut off pieces to eat with cheese and meat. Alternatively, drizzle honey over a wedge of cheese just before serving, or provide a jar of honey on the side.
Finally, consider the cured meats you will pair with honey. Salami, prosciutto, chorizo, and soppressata are all excellent choices. Cured meats with a salty element, such as prosciutto, pair well with honey, especially when served with fruit like figs, apricots, and berries. Cotto ham is another good option, with honey bringing out its sweetness.
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Frequently asked questions
Honey should enhance the flavor of the cheese, not smother it, so use it sparingly. You can either drizzle honey over a wedge of cheese or serve a jar of honey on the side.
Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese. Some specific combinations include blue cheese with honey and walnuts, mild and creamy cheeses with honey, ricotta drizzled with honey and served with fruit, and aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or sharp cheddar with a drizzle of honey.
In addition to cheese and honey, you can include cured meats, crackers or bread, nuts, fresh herbs, olives, dried fruit, mustards, pickles, and other dips and spreads.
