Cheese And Honey Crisp: A Match Made In Heaven

Honey and cheese is a magical pairing. The sweet and sometimes salty honey creates a delicate balance with the saltiness and tanginess of the cheese. The smooth texture and light sweet taste of honey are the perfect complement to any cheese board. Honey is considered a universal condiment that works with all types of cheese. While there are no strict rules for pairing honey and cheese, it is important to remember that honey is meant to enhance the flavour of the cheese, not overpower it.

Blue cheese and honey

How to Serve Blue Cheese and Honey

There are several ways to serve blue cheese and honey, here are some ideas:

• Drizzle honey over a wedge of blue cheese and serve with slices of baguette or crackers.
• Create a grazing board with blue cheese, honey, and halved walnuts.
• Make blue cheese crostini with honey: toast slices of baguette, top with blue cheese, and drizzle with honey. You can also add pecans for some crunch.
• For a simple appetizer, bring blue cheese to room temperature, crumble it onto a plate, and drizzle with honey. Serve with warm, sliced baguette.

Honey Varietals to Pair with Blue Cheese

When pairing honey with blue cheese, it's important to choose a honey that complements the cheese without overpowering it. Here are some specific honey varietals that go well with blue cheese:

• Blueberry honey
• Lavender honey: the floral and delicate sweetness of lavender honey balances the bold and salty flavours of blue cheese.

Other Foods to Include

To create a well-rounded cheese and honey tasting experience, consider including other foods such as:

• Nuts: walnuts, almonds, or pecans
• Fresh fruits: pears, apples, or grapes
• Crackers or bread: plain or lightly flavoured crackers, baguette slices, or artisanal bread

Honey and cheese charcuterie

Honey and cheese is a magical pairing. The sweet honey balances the salty and tangy flavours of the cheese. While there are no strict rules for pairing honey and cheese, the general rule of thumb is that the honey should complement the cheese without overpowering it.

A honey and cheese charcuterie board is a delightful way to entertain your guests. It is easy to put together and a great way to elevate your get-togethers. Here is a guide to creating a delightful honey and cheese charcuterie board:

Choose a Variety of Honey

There are hundreds of varieties of honey, each with its own unique flavour. The type of honey you choose will depend on the cheese you want to pair it with. For instance, lighter honeys have a milder flavour, while darker honeys have a more distinctive aroma and taste. You can also opt for flavoured honey, such as lavender, orange, raspberry, or truffle.

Select an Array of Cheeses

Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese. However, it is especially good with mild and creamy cheeses, spicy blue cheeses, aged cheeses, or tangy, acidic cheeses. Some specific types of cheese that go well with honey include:

• Blue Cheese: The sweetness of the honey will mellow out the strong flavour of blue cheese.
• Brie and Triple Creams: Warm, creamy cheeses like Brie and triple creams are delightful when served warm with a drizzle of honey and a garnish of crunchy nuts.
• Fresh Goat Cheese and Feta: Tangy, acidic cheeses like goat cheese and feta are beautifully complemented by a drizzle of honey.
• Ricotta: This mild cheese pairs well with honey and can be served for breakfast or dessert. Add some fruit, such as figs, apricots, or berries, and a salty element like prosciutto for a well-rounded dish.
• Parmigiano-Reggiano and Aged Cheeses: The salty, nutty flavour of Parmigiano-Reggiano and other aged cheeses like sharp cheddar is enhanced with a drizzle of honey.

Add Some Accompaniments

While honey and cheese are the stars of the show, you can enhance your charcuterie board by including other tasty treats:

• Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, or pecans add a crunchy texture and nutty flavour that pairs well with honey and cheese.
• Fresh Fruits: Slices of crisp apples, pears, or grapes provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the honey and cheese.
• Crackers or Bread: Plain or lightly flavoured crackers, baguette slices, or artisanal bread provide a neutral base for your guests to build on.
• Cured Meats: Adding some salami, prosciutto, or other cured meats will give your charcuterie board a savoury element and add variety to your offerings.

Presentation Tips

When putting together your honey and cheese charcuterie board, consider the following tips for a beautiful and functional display:

• Choose a stunning board: Opt for a marble block or live-edge wooden board to showcase your cheeses, honey, and accompaniments.
• Include pinch pots: Use small pinch pots to hold nuts, honey, olives, or fruit, adding visual interest and functionality to your board.
• Drizzle honey over cheese: For a special touch, drizzle honey over a wedge of cheese just before your guests arrive. Alternatively, you can serve a jar of honey on the side of your cheese plate.
• Don't forget the wine: A crisp glass of wine is the perfect beverage to pair with your honey and cheese charcuterie board. From sparkling Prosecco to sophisticated pinot noir, there are many options to complete your pairing.

Honey and cheese history

Honey and cheese is a timeless pairing, with a history that dates back to the early Roman era. The practice of combining these two foods can be traced to the epicure Marcus Apicus, who included recipes for drizzling honey over cottage cheese and coriander sprigs in his cookbooks. Apicius, a Roman gourmand, was known for his extravagant menus and lavish banquets, with honey being a delicacy reserved for the elite.

Honey played an essential role in Apicius' cuisine, not only as a flavour enhancer but also as a preservative, helping to keep food fresh and moist in the days before refrigeration. The sweetness of honey perfectly balanced the tanginess and saltiness of cheese, creating a sensory experience that has endured through the ages.

Over time, the pairing of honey and cheese continued to evolve, with regionality playing a significant role. Pairing cheese and honey produced in the same region enhances their flavours, as they share the same authentic flavours and nuances influenced by the local foliage, air qualities, and bedrock. This connection between the products creates a magical combination that delights the taste buds.

Today, the art of pairing honey and cheese has become a culinary journey, with endless possibilities. From mild and creamy cheeses to strong and tangy varieties, honey acts as the perfect condiment, enhancing the flavours without overpowering them. Whether drizzled over a wedge of cheese or served as a dip, honey adds a touch of sweetness that balances the salty and creamy mouthfeel of cheese.

The versatility of honey and cheese pairings knows no bounds, with options ranging from classic combinations to more adventurous matches. Blue cheese, for example, pairs perfectly with honey, as the sweetness of the honey mellows out the strong flavour of the blue cheese. Fresh goat cheese and tangy feta also benefit from a drizzle of honey, creating a delightful contrast of flavours.

Honey and cheese pairings

Honey and cheese are a magical pairing. The sweet honey balances the salty and tangy flavours of the cheese, creating a delightful sensory experience. While there are no strict rules for honey and cheese pairings, some combinations are particularly heavenly. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating exquisite honey and cheese pairings:

Understanding Honey and Cheese Pairings

The key to a successful pairing is to complement or contrast the flavours and textures of the honey and cheese. Choose a honey that enhances the cheese's taste without overpowering it. Experiment with different combinations to discover your preferences. Lighter honeys have milder flavours, while darker shades offer more distinctive aromas and tastes. Similarly, milder cheeses pair well with slightly tangy or floral honey, while stronger, more aged cheeses match robust, intense honey flavours.

Honey and Cheese Pairing Suggestions

Blue Cheese and Honey

Blue cheese is a perfect match for honey. The sweet honey mellows out the strong flavour of blue cheese. For an extra special treat, add some halved walnuts to your grazing board. If you want to be adventurous, try pairing blue cheese with blueberry honey or lavender honey, which will beautifully balance the bold and salty flavours of the cheese.

Brie and Honey

Brie, a creamy and buttery cheese, is delightful when drizzled with honey. For a gooey delight, bake a wheel of brie with honey to caramelise the top. Bamboo or buckwheat honey pairs well with brie, but for an exceptional experience, try pairing it with wildflower honey. The light and floral notes of wildflower honey will beautifully complement the creamy texture of the Brie.

Goat Cheese and Honey

Goat cheese and other tangy cheeses, such as feta, benefit from a drizzle of honey. Spring honey or raw honeycomb are excellent choices to enhance the flavour and bring out the tanginess of these cheeses. For a tasty treat, spread some goat cheese on a cracker and top it with a piece of honeycomb.

Ricotta and Honey

Ricotta and honey is a versatile pairing that can be served for breakfast or dessert. For breakfast, drizzle spicy honey over ricotta and a poached egg. For dessert, pair ricotta with dried fruit or fresh berries and a sprinkle of cinnamon. To add a savoury touch, try grilled zucchini slices painted with ricotta and sprinkled with chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then drizzled with honey. Ricotta also pairs well with fruit like figs, apricots, and berries. For a salty contrast, serve prosciutto on the side.

Aged Cheeses and Honey

Hard cheeses, such as Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and aged cheddar, are delicious with honey. Cutting these cheeses into wedges and dipping them into honey can be a tasty way to enjoy this pairing. Mild cheddar pairs wonderfully with clover honey, highlighting the cheese's tang and smooth texture. For a unique experience, try pairing Parmigiano-Reggiano with honey-garlic pasta.

Enhancing Your Honey and Cheese Pairings

To take your honey and cheese pairings to the next level, consider adding some accompaniments. Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans, add a crunchy texture and nutty flavours. Fresh fruits like pears, apples, or grapes provide a refreshing contrast with their natural sweetness and juiciness. Crackers or bread provide a neutral base, allowing the flavours of the cheese and honey to shine. Don't forget that a glass of wine can also elevate your tasting experience!

Honey grilled cheese

Ingredients:

• Sourdough bread
• Salty butter
• Gouda cheese (or white cheddar, asiago, or brie)
• Crispy chilli oil (or sriracha)
• Honey

Method:

First, build your sandwich. Place shredded gouda on one slice of bread and drizzle with chilli oil (adjusting the amount to your spice preference). Place the other slice of bread on top.

Add butter to a frying pan on medium heat. Once melted, add the sandwich and spread butter on the top. Cook for a few minutes on each side until the bread is golden and the cheese melted.

Remove from the heat and carefully open the sandwich to drizzle honey inside. Close the sandwich, slice, and serve.

Tips:

• The honey is added after cooking to prevent it from spilling out and burning.
• Any bread will work, but adjust the amount of cheese to the size of the bread.
• Unsalted butter can be used if a pinch of salt is added.
• If you don't have chilli oil, you can make your own or use sriracha for heat.

The combination of honey and cheese is a magical pairing, with the tanginess and saltiness of cheese balancing the sweetness of honey. Honey sommelier C. Marina Marchese describes the pairing as "hugging a cashmere blanket" with the "creamy, salty mouthfeel" of cheese.

While there are no strict rules for pairing honey and cheese, it is recommended to balance the flavours, choosing a honey that complements the cheese without overpowering it. Honey and cheese can also be paired by similarity or by contrast, such as a smooth honey with a crumbly cheese or a mild cheese with a mild honey.

Frequently asked questions