The Perfect Cheese And Cracker Pairing Guide

Cheese and crackers are a classic, timeless combination that is easy to customise. The endless options for this pairing are simple to prepare and make for a beautiful, stand-out appetiser. The key to a good cheese and cracker combination is to let the cheese shine. When pairing just a few simple ingredients, it's important that they stand out. Choose high-quality cheeses with ingredients you can feel good about.

Aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Gouda and Manchego go well with seeded crackers

Aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Gouda, and Manchego, are full of flavour and have a distinct texture. These characteristics call for a cracker that can stand up to them, and seeded crackers are an excellent option. Seeded crackers offer a satisfying crunch and a subtle flavour that complements rather than overpowers the cheese.

Seeds, such as sesame, poppy, and caraway, add a nutty taste and a satisfying bite to the cracker. These seeds also pair well with the salty, savoury notes of aged cheeses. The combination of seeded crackers with aged cheeses creates a well-rounded and flavourful snack.

When selecting seeded crackers, look for options that include a variety of seeds to ensure a diverse flavour and texture profile. Some seeded crackers may also include additional ingredients, such as everything seasoning, which can add a unique twist to the classic cheese and cracker combination.

In addition to seeded crackers, aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Gouda, and Manchego also pair well with other types of crackers. For example, Parmigiano Reggiano's rich, complex flavour can be enhanced by pairing it with dark chocolate-covered graham crackers, providing a sweet contrast to the savoury cheese. Gouda, with its caramel and butterscotch notes, goes well with multigrain crackers that balance the sweetness while providing a sturdy base for the cheese. Meanwhile, Manchego, a salty Spanish cheese, is complemented by almond flour crackers, which help balance the intensity of the cheese.

When creating a cheese board, it's important to offer a variety of crackers, including seeded options, to pair with your chosen cheeses. This allows your guests to explore different flavour combinations and find their favourites.

Triple cream and soft rind cheeses like brie, camembert and Comte are complemented by water crackers

Water crackers are a perfect match for triple cream and soft rind cheeses like brie, camembert and Comte. These crackers are light and thin, acting as a neutral vehicle to deliver the delicious cheese to your mouth without overwhelming its flavour.

Water crackers are typically made with flour, water, oil and sometimes sugar and herbs. They are a great option for those who want the cheese to be the star of the show. Their airy texture and subtle flavour mean they won't compete for attention.

When serving, spread the crackers around the cheese for an artful look. If you're serving a soft cheese like brie or camembert, it's best to use a soft spreader. For harder cheeses like Comte, it's recommended to keep them in the refrigerator until just before serving.

Water crackers are also a good option for those who want to get creative with their toppings. You can add a slightly tart layer of jam to your cracker before adding the cheese, or top with nuts, herbs, salt, pepper or a drizzle of honey.

So, if you're looking for a cracker to complement your triple cream or soft rind cheese, water crackers are a great choice. They provide a neutral base that lets the cheese shine while also offering a crunchy texture to enhance your snacking experience.

Stinky blue and limburger cheeses are best with sweet, fruity crackers

When it comes to stinky blue and limburger cheeses, sweet and fruity crackers are the way to go. These types of cheeses have a strong flavour and smell, so a mild, sweet cracker is the perfect complement.

Blue cheese is a very polarising food—people tend to either love it or hate it. But even sceptics should give this daring pairing a chance. The funky flavour of blue cheese is offset by the sweetness of a graham cracker, creating a dynamic duo on your grazing board.

Limburger cheese, with its strong smell and distinct flavour, is another variety that can benefit from being paired with a sweet and fruity cracker. The sweetness of the cracker helps to balance out the strong flavour of the cheese, making it more palatable for those who might be hesitant to try it on its own.

In addition to sweet and fruity crackers, wafer crackers can also be a good choice for stinky blue and limburger cheeses. The thin, crisp texture of wafer crackers provides a nice contrast to the creaminess of these types of cheese.

When creating a cheese board with stinky blue or limburger cheese, it's important to remember that a little goes a long way. These cheeses have such a strong flavour and aroma that you won't need to offer a large quantity to make an impact. By pairing them with the right crackers, you can create a well-rounded and enjoyable tasting experience for your guests.

Sharp cheeses like cheddar are a good match for buttery crackers

When it comes to choosing a cracker to serve with cheese, there are endless options. However, the general rule is that mild crackers should be paired with strong cheeses, and robust crackers with milder options. Buttery crackers fall into the former category, as their flavour is not too overpowering, and so they complement the sharpness of cheddar.

Cheddar is a popular choice for crackers because of its distinct flavour, which can hold its own against the taste of the cracker. The sharpness of cheddar also means it can be paired with sweeter crackers, like those flavoured with honey, or fruit, like apple or pear.

For a more indulgent option, you could try a cracker with a more buttery flavour, such as the Original Sourdough Crackers from Peter's Yard, which are described as having a "rich texture". These crackers are a good match for hard and mellow cheeses like Westcombe Cheddar, as they complement the flavour of cheddar while also providing a textural contrast.

For a fun twist on the classic combination, you could try spray cheese on woven wheat crackers, or a more mature cheddar with pretzel crackers.

Goat and sheep cheeses like chevre, Humboldt Fog and roquefort are tasty with herby crackers

Goat and sheep cheeses, such as chevre, Humboldt Fog, and roquefort, are delicious when served with herby crackers. When creating a cheese board, it is important to pair mild crackers with strong cheeses and robust crackers with milder options. Chevre is a goat cheese with a mild flavour and a smooth texture, which pairs well with rosemary crackers. Humboldt Fog is a goat's milk cheese with a fluffy texture and zesty lemon notes, which can be complemented by crackers with a rich texture, such as Peter's Yard Rye & Charcoal Sourdough Crackers. Roquefort is a sheep's milk cheese with a strong flavour that can be served with a simple cracker, such as a water cracker or a butter cracker.

When serving goat and sheep cheeses with herby crackers, consider adding some fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, or chives, to enhance the flavour. You can also add a slice of fruit, such as apple, pear, or mango, for a sweet and savoury combination. If you want to get creative, you can make your own crackers using flour, water, oil, sugar, and your choice of herbs.

In addition to herby crackers, goat and sheep cheeses also pair well with fruited crackers. For example, the sweetness of apricot and vanilla jam can balance the acidity of a goat's milk cheese like Sinodun Hill. The saltiness of a blue cheese, such as Sparkenhoe Blue, can also be complemented by the sweetness of fruity crackers, like Peter's Yard Fig & Spelt Sourdough Crackers.

Frequently asked questions