Patrick Oconnell
Fruit and cheese is a fashionable culinary practice, with the sweetness of the former complementing the sharpness of the latter. The two are often combined to create a balance between various complementary tastes and textures. For instance, sweet, succulent fruit pairs well with rich, savoury cheese. The classic pairing of watermelon and feta is an example of how the light, juicy-sweet watermelon contrasts with the salty feta. Similarly, apples and cheddar is a popular combination, with the tartness of the apple complementing the sharpness of the cheese.
When pairing fruit and cheese, seasonality is an important factor to consider. For instance, berries are only in season during the summer, while citrus fruits are at their peak in December and January. The format of the fruit—fresh, dried, or cooked—also plays a role in bringing out the flavours of the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To create a balance between complementary tastes and textures |
| Fruit characteristics | Sweet, juicy, tangy, ripe, fresh, dried, cooked, sweetened preserve |
| Cheese characteristics | Rich, savory, creamy, salty, sharp, aged, soft, hard, blue, mild, young, semi-hard, smoked |
| Fruit and cheese combinations | Watermelon and feta, Caprese salad (tomato and mozzarella), apple and cheddar, pear and blue cheese, peach and cheddar, pineapple and Seahive Cheddar Cheese, grapefruit-tangerine and Wood River Creamery Cheddar Gruyère, honey balsamic roasted figs and goat cheese, mango and habanero cheddar, plums and Vermont Sharp Cheddar, strawberries and Devonshire cream, grapes and blue cheese, stone fruit and washed-rind cheeses |
| Other considerations | Seasonality, locally-sourced fruits, texture contrast |
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What You'll Learn
Fresh, dried, or cooked fruit
When pairing cheese and fruit, it is important to consider the format of the fruit: fresh, dried, or cooked. Fresh fruit tends to have robust flavours and juices, which can be more challenging to pair with cheese. In contrast, dried or cooked fruit has more concentrated flavours and textures that may be easier to pair.
For example, a strongly-flavoured, aged cheese might overpower the delicate flavours of fresh fruit. However, if the same fruit is cooked down into a conserve or compote, it can pair well with a strong cheese like blue cheese. Dried fruit also has a more condensed flavour that can stand up to stronger cheeses.
When it comes to specific combinations, apples are a versatile fruit that can be paired with a variety of cheeses, such as Cheddar, Manchego, Brie, and Honeycrisp. Pears are another good option, especially when paired with blue cheese or Extra Sharp Cheddar. The salty, creamy Stilton and the sweet, juicy pear create a classic fall and winter pairing.
Stone fruits, such as peaches and nectarines, can also bring a brightness and balance to certain cheeses. For instance, the combination of grilled peach halves with grated cheddar, honey, chopped nuts, and basil makes a delightful summer dessert. In addition, sweet berries like strawberries go well with mild, creamy cheeses such as Devonshire cream or goat cheese.
Seasonality is also an important consideration when choosing fruit to pair with cheese. For instance, berries are typically in season during the summer, while citrus fruits are at their peak in the winter. Apples, pears, and persimmons are in season during the fall and can be good choices for cheese pairings.
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Fruit and cheese seasonality
Fruit and cheese are a delightful combination, offering a balance of flavours, textures, and nutritional benefits. The sweetness of the fruit complements the savoury notes of the cheese, while the acidity in some fruits can cut through rich, creamy cheeses.
When creating a cheese platter, it is important to consider the seasonality of the fruit and cheese. Using locally sourced fruits at their peak freshness will elevate your platter. Here are some seasonal fruit and cheese combinations to try:
Spring
As the weather starts to warm up, look for early spring cherries to pair with rich and creamy cheeses. Try pairing sweet, dark-sweet cherries with triple crème brie or baked brie with herbal notes. The silky texture and mild flavour of the cheese pair beautifully with the sweet-tart burst of the cherries.
Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy stone fruits, such as peaches, plums, and cherries, as well as pome fruits like apples and pears.
- Pair a Royal Verano or Royal Riviera pear, known for its superior sweetness and buttery texture, with Touvelle cheese from Rogue Creamery. The creaminess of the cheese combined with its tangy, nutty flavour will be enhanced by the sweetness of the pear.
- For a classic summer combination, choose a smoked Gouda cheese to pair with green d'Anjou pears, which have a crisp, sweet, and citrusy flavour.
- Celebrate the abundance of summer peaches by pairing them with blue cheese. The sharp and pungent flavour of the blue cheese is a great match for the sweet, juicy, and slightly tangy peaches.
- If you're looking for a lighter option, try a Caprese salad with ripe, brightly acidic tomatoes and soft, milky fresh mozzarella.
Autumn
As the weather cools down, look for autumn apples to pair with cheddar or Manchego cheese. Some apple varieties to try include Pink Lady®, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gala.
Winter
Winter is the perfect time to cosy up with heartier flavours. Try pairing winter citrus fruits, such as the HoneyBell (a grapefruit-tangerine hybrid) or its cousin, the Mandarin, with a rich and salty cheese like Wood River Creamery Cheddar Gruyère. The intense honey-sweet flavours of the fruit will play beautifully with the salty and nutty tones of the cheese.
These are just a few examples of seasonal fruit and cheese combinations to try. Feel free to explore different varieties of fruits and cheeses to find your favourite pairings!
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Contrasting flavours and textures
When pairing cheese and fruit, it is important to consider the contrasting flavours and textures of the two. The right combination of flavours and textures can create a sublime culinary experience, bringing out the best in both the cheese and the fruit.
A classic example of contrasting flavours and textures is the pairing of a salty, creamy cheese like Stilton with a sweet, juicy fruit like pear. The saltiness of the cheese enhances the sweetness of the fruit, while the creaminess of the cheese is balanced by the juiciness of the fruit. This combination also achieves the right ratio of sugar to fat and sugar to mould, resulting in a perfect harmony of flavours and textures.
Another way to create contrast is to pair a rich, buttery cheese with a bright, acidic fruit. For instance, the richness and umami characteristics of bloomy rind and washed rind cheeses can be beautifully balanced by stone fruits like peaches and nectarines. The acidity in the fruit helps to cut through the fat in the cheese, cleansing the palate and keeping the taste receptors lively.
The texture of the fruit can also play a crucial role in creating contrast. Instead of pairing a super hard cheese with a harder fruit, which might get lost, one could opt for a jam or preserve that offers a different texture. For instance, a sharp cheddar can be paired with a sweet, tangy preserve made from strawberries or peaches, creating a delightful contrast of flavours and textures.
Additionally, the format of the fruit—fresh, dried, or cooked—can impact the pairing. Fresh fruit tends to have robust flavours and the sensory impact of juices, while dried fruit offers more condensed flavours. Cooked fruit, such as a compote or conserve, can also intensify the fruit flavour, making it stand up to strongly-flavoured, aged cheeses.
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Classic pairings
When it comes to classic pairings of cheese and fruit, there are several popular combinations that are widely enjoyed.
One well-known pairing is watermelon and feta. The light, juicy sweetness of watermelon is offset by the salty feta, creating a delightful contrast. Similarly, the traditional combination of ripe, acidic tomatoes with fresh mozzarella in a Caprese salad is a timeless favourite. The tanginess of the tomato complements the mildness of the cheese, resulting in a refreshing and harmonious duo.
For those who enjoy a sharper flavour profile, the salty, creamy Stilton paired with the sweet, juicy pear is a quintessential autumn and winter combination. The balance of sugar, fat, and mould in this duo creates a sublime sensory experience. Another classic pairing is quince and Manchego, a match made in culinary heaven due to their shared regional origins.
When it comes to cheese and fruit pairings, the format of the fruit also plays a significant role. Fresh fruit tends to have more robust flavours and juicy textures, while dried fruit or preserves may offer more concentrated flavours that complement certain cheeses. For example, the intense sweetness of dried or cooked fruit, such as sautéed plums, can be beautifully balanced by the buttery tang of a Vermont Sharp Cheddar.
Additionally, seasonal produce is always a wise choice when crafting cheese and fruit pairings. In the fall and winter, apples, pears, and persimmons take centre stage, offering a variety of flavour profiles that can be artfully matched with different cheeses. For instance, the crisp sweetness of a Fuji apple pairs exquisitely with a sharp cheddar, creating a delightful interplay of flavours.
Exploring classic pairings of cheese and fruit opens up a world of flavour possibilities, allowing you to discover new favourites and impress your guests with elegant and delectable combinations.
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Wine and fruit and cheese
Combining cheese and fruit is a fashionable culinary practice, and for good reason. The acidity of fruit amplifies the flavours of cheese, and acts as a palate cleanser. The freshness and brightness of fruit also complement the richness of cheese without being overpowering.
When pairing cheese and fruit, it's important to consider the seasonality of the fruit, as well as its format—fresh, dried, or cooked. For example, fresh berries are typically only in season during the summer, while citrus fruits are at their peak in December and January. Apples, pears, and persimmons are in season during the fall and winter, making them a good choice for a cheese platter.
In terms of specific fruit and cheese combinations, here are some suggestions:
- Apples, especially tart varieties such as Granny Smith or Winesap, pair well with sharp cheddar.
- Pears are a classic pairing with blue cheese, as well as with Extra Sharp Cheddar.
- Plums complement the buttery tang of Vermont Sharp Cheddar.
- Peaches are a good match for Seriously Sharp Cheddar.
- Strawberries go well with Lite50 Sharp Cheddar, as well as with Devonshire cream and goat cheese.
- Mangoes pair nicely with Habanero Cheddar.
- Stone fruits, such as peaches and nectarines, complement bloomy-rind and washed-rind cheeses.
- Quince is traditionally paired with Manchego.
- Grapes, especially when roasted in a Moscato wine glaze, can be enjoyed with creamy blue cheese.
- Figs, especially when honey-balsamic roasted, are a good match for goat cheese.
- Watermelon is a light and juicy contrast to salty feta.
- Tomatoes, especially ripe and acidic ones, balance the mildness of fresh mozzarella in a Caprese salad.
When it comes to wine, the same principles of pairing apply as with fruit. The personality of the wine should complement and bring out nuances in the cheese. For example, a crisp Pinot gris with light acidity pairs well with Wood River Creamery Cheddar Gruyère and citrus fruits like HoneyBell or Mandarin. A fruit-forward red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon, can unlock the salty, umami flavours of blue cheese. Rosé is a good choice to elevate the pairing of sweet berries and mild cream.
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Frequently asked questions
The sweetness of fruit is a great contrast to the richness and savouriness of cheese. Fruit is also acidic, which acts as a palate cleanser, cutting through the fat of the cheese and keeping your taste receptors lively.
Some classic combinations include:
- Watermelon and feta
- Apple and cheddar
- Quince and Manchego
- Pear and blue cheese
- Fig and goat cheese
- Strawberries and cream cheese
- Grapes and cheese
Consider the seasonality of the fruit. For example, berries are only in season during the summer, while apples, pears and persimmons are in season in the fall and winter. You can also consider the texture of the fruit and cheese—a super hard cheese might be better with a jam, for example.
Here are some ideas for recipes that include fruit and cheese:
- Caprese salad: fresh mozzarella, ripe tomato, torn basil leaves, aged balsamic, and olive oil
- Spiced poached pears with extra sharp cheddar, yogurt, pecans, and dried cranberries
- Grilled peach halves with grated cheddar, honey, chopped nuts, and basil
