Bushra Griffith
Quince paste, also known as membrillo, is a Spanish fruit spread made from quince, a type of fruit with a flavour that is somewhere between a Golden Delicious apple and a pear. When cooked, quince develops an orange-red hue and becomes sweet, with its harsh tartness subdued. Quince paste is traditionally served with cheese, and in France and Provence, it is customary to serve quince paste with various cheeses during the holidays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hard cheeses | Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, Sharp Cheddar, Comte, Tomme de Brebis |
| Soft cheeses | Brie, Camembert, Brillat Savarin, Chevre, Feta, Halloumi |
| Fruits | Apples, Pears, Cranberries, Blackberries, Strawberries |
| Nuts | Pecans |
| Crackers | Pita crackers, Fig and olive crackers |
| Bread | Baguette |
| Other foods | Wine jelly, Cinnamon whisk, Pumpkin, Persimmon, Cinnamon sticks |
What You'll Learn
Manchego cheese
When creating a cheese board with quince paste, it is recommended to include a variety of textures and flavours, such as hard and soft cheeses. Manchego, as a hard cheese, pairs well with a soft cheese like brie or camembert. The salty and nutty flavours of manchego complement the sweet and tart flavours of quince paste, making it a delightful and elegant combination.
For a unique presentation, try making manchego quince skewers. Cut the quince paste and cheese into 1-inch cubes, roll the paste in crushed almonds, and then alternate them on a toothpick with watercress leaves. This elevated take on the classic pairing will surely impress your guests.
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Parmigiano Reggiano
When serving Parmigiano Reggiano with quince paste, it is recommended to serve a chunk of the cheese to crumble over the paste or to cut it into squares for bite-sized portions. The cheese is also available in different ageing times, with 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 100-month options. The longer the cheese is aged, the more crumbly and grainy its texture becomes, and the more intense its flavours are. At 18 months, Parmigiano Reggiano has a youthful aroma with fresh fruit, grass, flower, and milk nuances. After 24 months, its aromas intensify, and it achieves a perfect balance of sweet and savoury. At 36 months and beyond, the cheese takes on spicier flavours, with dried fruit notes replacing fresh fruit aromas. By 60 months, the cheese has an amber colour, and its flavours become strong and very intense, though never spicy as is the case with other very mature cheeses.
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Sharp cheddar
When creating a cheese board, it's a good idea to include a variety of textures and flavours. You could pair sharp cheddar and quince paste with some hard and soft cheeses, fresh fruit, nuts, and crackers. One source recommends a white, aged cheddar with quince paste, but notes that any cheddar will work.
If you're looking for a more creative way to serve sharp cheddar and quince paste, you could try making cheddar and quince millefeuille. This dish involves combining crème fraîche and cheddar, spreading this mixture on puff pastry rectangles, topping with quince paste, and then baking in the oven.
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Brie
A great way to serve Brie with quince paste is to cut a wedge of Brie in half, fill the middle with a light layer of quince paste, then put the top of the Brie back on and bake until the cheese is just soft. Serve with crackers.
In addition to quince paste, Brie pairs well with other sweet spreads such as fig spreads and chutney. It also goes well with cooked apples, and fresh fruit when in season.
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Camembert
Quince paste is soft and slices or spreads like a soft cheese, so it is best to pair it with a few soft and a few hard cheeses. Camembert is a good choice for a soft cheese pairing as it has a mild flavour that will not overpower the quince paste. It is also a good choice for a cheese board because it is easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
When serving Camembert with quince paste, it is best to serve it at room temperature to allow the cheese to soften and develop its full flavour. Camembert pairs well with quince paste because the sweetness of the quince paste complements the creaminess of the cheese. The quince paste can be spread on the cheese or served alongside it on a cracker or bread.
In addition to Camembert, other soft cheeses that pair well with quince paste include Brie, Brillat Savarin, and Chevre. Hard cheeses that pair well with quince paste include Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, Sharp Cheddar, and Aged Comte. When creating a cheese board, it is a good idea to include a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavours to complement the quince paste.
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Frequently asked questions
Quince paste, also known as membrillo, is a Spanish fruit spread made from quince, a type of fruit with a flavour that is somewhere between a Golden Delicious apple and a pear. It has a thick, jelly-like consistency that can be cut into thin pieces or spread onto a cracker or slice of bread.
Quince paste is typically served with hard and semi-hard cheeses like Manchego, a classic pairing. Other hard cheeses that pair well with quince paste include Parmigiano Reggiano, sharp Cheddar, Comte, and Tomme de Brebis. Soft cheeses that pair well with quince paste include Brie, Camembert, Brillat Savarin, Chevre (goat cheese), Feta, and Halloumi.
Quince paste can be served as part of a cheese and charcuterie board, with crackers or bread, or as an appetizer or dessert. Cut the quince paste into thin slices or spread it onto crackers or bread. Top the quince paste with a slice of cheese or serve the quince paste alongside the cheese and let your guests try different combinations.
Quince paste can be purchased at specialty food shops and some supermarkets. It is often sold in squares and is typically served at room temperature.
