The Perfect Dark Chocolate And Cheese Pairing Experience

Chocolate and cheese are two foods that are commonly enjoyed separately with wine, but they can also be paired together. Both foods have complex flavour notes, including sweet, fruity, tangy, woody, nutty, and bitter, and these nuances can complement each other in surprising ways. In addition, both chocolate and cheese are considered feel-good foods as they light up the brain's reward centre. While this combination is well-known in Indonesia, Colombia, and Ecuador, it is less explored in the US. One recommended pairing is dark chocolate with a high cocoa content and a high-quality wedge of parmesan.

Parmesan and dark chocolate

The combination of Parmesan and dark chocolate may seem unusual, but these two ingredients have been scientifically proven to pair well together. The salty and savoury (umami) flavour of Parmesan complements the depth of flavour in dark chocolate, and the chocolate brings out fruity, tart notes in the cheese.

How to Serve

One way to serve this combination is in a grilled cheese sandwich. This sandwich combines parmigiano-reggiano, dark chocolate, and balsamic vinegar. The dark chocolate spread provides the gooeyness that a grilled cheese sandwich needs, while the parmesan provides a salty, nutty complement. A hint of balsamic vinegar deepens the flavour connections.

To make the sandwich, first make the dark chocolate-balsamic spread by heating balsamic vinegar in a small saute pan on low heat until the volume is reduced by half. Then, combine water, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt in a small saucepan and heat on medium-low, stirring regularly, until the sugar and cocoa are dissolved. Once the mixture starts to simmer, remove from the heat and add diced butter, chopped chocolate, and the reduced balsamic vinegar. Stir until combined—the spread will be glossy and very runny, but will thicken as it cools to room temperature.

To assemble the sandwiches, generously butter both sides of bread slices and place them in a hot cast-iron skillet or other heavy pan. Toast one side until light golden brown, then remove the slices from the pan. Place grated parmigiano-reggiano on the toasted side of two bread slices. Spread a generous amount of the dark chocolate spread on the toasted side of the other two bread slices. Sandwich the dark chocolate slices on top of the parmigiano-reggiano, with the untoasted sides facing outwards. Return the sandwiches to the skillet and toast the remaining sides until light golden brown.

This sandwich can be served with chianti, which pairs well with both dark chocolate and Parmesan.

Other Cheese and Chocolate Pairings

While Parmesan and dark chocolate make a great pair, there are many other cheeses that go well with dark chocolate. Soft ripened goat, sheep, or cow’s milk cheeses tend to be more pungent, acidic, and aggressive, and pair well with dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Blue cheese, with its sharp, pungent aromas and flavours, will enhance the undertones of a strong dark chocolate. Aged cheeses, which are nutty and less acidic with a crunchy texture, pair well with chocolates with fillings such as almonds, honey, and maple.

Spicy cheese and orange dark chocolate

The Perfect Match

Beechers New Woman Cheese with Theo Chocolate Orange 70% Dark Chocolate is a sublime example of a "like with like" pairing. The New Woman cheese, infused with Jamaican Jerk seasoning, including notes of chili, cinnamon, and thyme, creates a perfect harmony with the fruity and citrusy notes of the orange dark chocolate. The interplay of spices and fruitiness makes for a captivating culinary adventure.

A Symphony of Flavors

Tasting Tips

To fully appreciate this pairing, engage all your senses. Observe the appearance of the cheese, including its color, rind, and texture. Smell the aromas of both the cheese and chocolate, noting the spectrum of scents they offer. When tasting, pay attention to the density, texture, and mouthfeel of each component. Finally, savor the finish, noticing how the flavors evolve and linger as you continue to enjoy this indulgent duo.

Portioning for Balance

Chocolate can sometimes be overpowering, so it's important to balance the flavors by serving about twice as much cheese as chocolate. This ensures that neither overwhelms the other and allows you to appreciate the nuances of each.

Exploring Contrasts and Similarities

When pairing spicy cheese with orange dark chocolate, you can explore both contrasts and similarities in flavors. The spiciness of the cheese may highlight the fruity notes in the chocolate, creating a delightful contrast. At the same time, the citrusy notes of the chocolate can enhance the spiciness, showcasing the interplay of flavors.

So, why not indulge in this extraordinary pairing and embark on a flavorful journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more? Spicy cheese and orange dark chocolate is a combination that will surprise and delight, offering a unique sensory experience.

Blue cheese and ginger chocolate

The ginger chocolate, with its candied ginger pieces, provides a sweetly warming taste sensation, which is a great counterpoint to the blue cheese. The blue cheese, with its sharp, pungent aromas and flavours, will enhance the undertones of strong dark chocolate. The saltiness of the blue cheese will also be highlighted by the sweetness of the chocolate.

When tasting this pairing, it is recommended to first smell the cheese and chocolate, then to taste the cheese, followed by a small bite of chocolate. The chocolate should be allowed to melt on the tongue, and the flavours noted as they evolve. The blue cheese will provide a contrast to the smooth mouthfeel of the chocolate, with its tiny crystals and low moisture content.

This pairing is an excellent example of how chocolate and cheese can complement each other and awaken the taste buds, thanks to the shared flavour compounds of these two foods.

Alpine cheddar and dark chocolate with almonds

Cabot's Alpine Cheddar Cheese and Divine Chocolate's Dark Chocolate with Whole Almonds is a culinary combination that will delight your taste buds. The Alpine Cheddar is aged to perfection, with a creamy, nutty flavour and a slightly grainy texture similar to Parmesan. The whole almonds in the chocolate bar complement the cheese's nutty notes, creating a unique and familiar taste sensation.

When pairing cheese and chocolate, it's important to remember that they share many flavour descriptions, such as rich, bold, nutty, and creamy. These overlapping flavour profiles create a symphony of tastes that surprises and delights. The key to a successful pairing is to find the right balance and contrast between the two.

A good rule of thumb is to pair chocolate with cheese that shares a similar flavour profile. For example, if you have a nutty chocolate, an aged, firm, nutty cheese will complement it well. If your chocolate leans towards the savoury and funky side, a washed rind cheese will enhance those flavours. In the case of Alpine cheddar and dark chocolate with almonds, the nuttiness of the cheese and the chocolate's slight bitterness are a perfect match.

To fully appreciate this pairing, follow these steps: Smell the cheese and chocolate to get a sense of their aromas. Take a small bite of the cheese, followed by a small bite of the chocolate. Chew and savour the flavours before taking another small bite of the cheese. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy this pairing, so feel free to experiment and let your imagination soar.

The health benefits of this combination are an added bonus. Chocolate, with its essential ingredient cacao, is loaded with antioxidant flavonoids and theobromine. Studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate can reduce the risk of heart failure and lower stress levels. Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, especially calcium, which promotes strong bones.

Aged goat cheese and spicy dark chocolate

Chocolate and cheese are both considered "feel-good" foods, as they light up the reward centre of the brain. They share similar flavour notes, including sweet, fruity, tangy, woody, nutty, and bitter. The right pairings of cheese and chocolate can complement each other, creating a symphony of flavours that awakens your taste buds.

Spicy dark chocolate and aged goat cheese is a pairing that works. The strong flavours of spicy dark chocolate and aged goat cheese complement each other, creating a unique and unexpected flavour experience. The spiciness of the chocolate can range from a hint of cinnamon to the bold addition of cayenne, pumpkin seeds, and cinnamon. The aged goat cheese will be pungent, acidic, and aggressive, creating a perfect contrast to the chocolate.

When tasting this pairing, it is recommended to first smell the cheese and chocolate, taking in their aromas. Then, take a small bite of the cheese, followed by a small bite of the chocolate. Finally, take another bite of the cheese to better appreciate its nutty sweetness.

To elevate this pairing, consider the texture and mouthfeel. The aged goat cheese will have a crunchy texture, while the spicy dark chocolate will melt silkily on the tongue. The high cocoa content of the chocolate will create a more intense flavour experience, while the aged goat cheese will provide a strong contrast with its high dairy content.

For a similar pairing, you could try peppercorn-studded cheese with sea salt dark chocolate, creating a "salt and pepper" flavour combination. Alternatively, for a sweeter option, try blue cheese with ginger dark chocolate, where the chocolate's sweetness mutes the strong flavour of the blue cheese.

Frequently asked questions