Cheese And Honey: A Match Made In Heaven

Honey and cheese is a classic combination that has been enjoyed for centuries, dating back to ancient Rome. The sweetness of honey perfectly complements the saltiness of cheese, creating a delightful contrast that enhances the flavour of both. While it may seem like an unusual pairing, it is a popular way to elevate a simple cheese plate and impress your guests. Honey can be drizzled over a wedge of cheese or served on the side, and its unique flavour profiles can be used to create interesting and unexpected combinations.

Honey and cheese: a historical pairing

Honey and cheese might seem like an unusual combination, but the pairing has existed for millennia. In ancient Rome, honey was a delicacy reserved for the elite, and it was often included in recipes by a Roman gourmand named Marcus Gavius Apicius. One of his recipes, Mel et Caseus (Honey and Cheese), featured fresh cottage cheese and coriander sprigs drizzled with honey. Another, Libum, resembles modern-day cheesecake, with honey poured over the cakes.

In modern times, honey and cheese remain a popular pairing, especially in Europe. Countries like France, Italy, and Greece have a long tradition of enjoying cheese with honey. The sweetness of honey provides the perfect contrast to the saltiness of cheese, and both foods have many depths and variations of flavour depending on their origin.

When pairing honey and cheese, it's essential to strike a balance. Honey should enhance the flavour of the cheese, not overpower it. Light and delicate honeys pair well with light cheeses, while bold, dark honeys complement strong, blue, or stinky cheeses. Sweet honeys can also balance out salty, bitter, or acidic cheeses.

Some specific cheese and honey pairings to try include:

• Ricotta drizzled with honey, served with fruits like figs, apricots, or berries, and perhaps some prosciutto on the side.
• Brie and triple creams with a drizzle of honey and a garnish of nuts.
• Blue cheese with honey, especially if you want to mellow out the strong flavour of the blue cheese.
• Aged cheeses like sharp cheddar with a floral honey, such as Spanish Thyme Honey.
• Fresh goat cheese and other tangy, acidic cheeses like feta with a drizzle of honey.

So, the next time you're looking to elevate your cheese board or simply want to indulge in a delicious flavour combination, consider pairing honey with cheese. It's a match made in heaven!

The best cheeses to go with honey

Honey and cheese may seem like an unusual combination, but the sweetness of honey is the perfect contrast to the saltiness of cheese. Honey can be used to elevate the flavour of cheese and add an extra element. The key is to use honey sparingly, so it enhances the flavour of the cheese, rather than smothers it.

Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese but is especially good with mild and creamy cheeses, tangy and acidic cheeses, or a sharp blue.

For a light, delicate honey, try a ricotta cheese. A drizzle of honey on ricotta can be served for breakfast or as a dessert. This pairing works well with fruit like figs, apricots, and berries. You can also add a salty element by serving prosciutto on the side.

For a darker, richer honey, a soft cheese like brie works well. Brie and triple creams are best served warm with a drizzle of honey and a garnish of crunchy nuts like walnuts or toasted pine nuts.

Blue cheese is heavenly with honey. The sweet honey will mellow out the strong flavour of the blue cheese, creating new flavours. Blue cheese with honey is a great addition to a grazing board, especially with halved walnuts served alongside.

Aged cheeses, like a sharp cheddar, are delicious with a drizzle of Spanish thyme honey or honeycomb. The thyme honey has a strong herbal flavour and a delightful floral aroma that can really enhance a simple cheddar.

Finally, fresh and creamy soft goat cheese is tangy and goes well with honey. Other acidic cheeses, like feta, are also amazing with a drizzle of honey. For a great cheese spread, bring your goat cheese to room temperature and stir in honey and herbs. Serve with your favourite cracker.

There are endless combinations of honey and cheese to try, so get creative and experiment with different varieties!

How to serve honey and cheese

Honey and cheese is a classic combination that can be served in a variety of ways, and the sweetness of honey is a perfect contrast to the saltiness of cheese. Here is a guide on how to serve honey and cheese:

Choosing the Right Honey

Firstly, it is important to choose the right honey to complement the cheese. Honey has many depths and variations of flavour, depending on where they are made. The intensity of the honey is a good starting point for choosing the intensity of the cheese for your pairing. You can choose between light and delicate honeys, midrange honeys, or pungent and intense honeys. For example, light and delicate honeys include sage, black locust, or fireweed honey, while pungent and intense honeys include eucalyptus, buckwheat, or oilseed rape honey.

Choosing the Right Cheese

When it comes to cheese, there are a variety of options that pair well with honey. Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese, but it is especially good with mild and creamy cheeses, sharp blues, aged cheeses, or tangy and acidic cheeses. Some specific types of cheese that go well with honey include ricotta, cottage cheese, burrata, La Tur, Selles-sur-Cher, Gorgonzola Dolce, Pecorino, cheddar, Isle of Mull, Fiore Sardo, Comte, Roquefort, and Stilton.

Preparing the Honey and Cheese

When serving honey and cheese, there are a few ways to prepare them. The easiest way is to drizzle honey over a wedge of cheese just before serving. Alternatively, you can serve a jar of honey on the side of a cheese plate, or leave a piece of honeycomb whole on the plate for guests to cut off pieces. It is also a good idea to serve slices of baguette or crackers with the honey and cheese, as they provide a solid foundation to build on.

Additional Pairings

To enhance the honey and cheese pairing, consider adding some additional elements. Sliced meats such as salami, serrano ham, or prosciutto go well with honey and cheese. Olives, particularly Kalamata and Manzanilla olives, are also a nice addition. Fruit is a common pairing with cheese and honey, as it adds colour, texture, and flavour. Figs, apples, pears, berries, and grapes are all good options, and dried fruit like apricots can also be included, especially when combined with nuts like walnuts.

Experimenting with Combinations

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pairing honey and cheese. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of honey and cheese to find your favourite pairings. You can also include other elements such as nuts, herbs, or bread to create a well-rounded and delicious dish.

Honey and cheese: a sensory experience

Honey and cheese is a classic combination that has been enjoyed for centuries, with records of the pairing dating back to ancient Rome. The sweetness of honey perfectly complements the saltiness of cheese, creating a delightful contrast that will elevate your taste experience.

When pairing honey and cheese, the key is to let the honey enhance the flavour of the cheese without overwhelming it. A drizzle of honey is all it takes to transform a simple wedge of cheese into something extraordinary. Honey can be drizzled over the cheese just before serving, or served on the side for guests to add themselves. Leaving the honeycomb whole on a cheese plate is not only visually stunning but also provides a textural contrast that adds to the sensory experience.

Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese, but some combinations are particularly mouth-watering. For a morning treat, try a young, creamy cheese like ricotta, cottage cheese, or burrata drizzled with a light honey such as acacia honey. This pairing goes beautifully with fruit like figs, apricots, and berries, and a salty element like prosciutto on the side. During the day, opt for more mature and intense cheeses like La Tur, Selles-sur-Cher, or Gorgonzola Dolce, which pair well with a scoop of honey or a drizzle over a cracker. Harder cheeses like Pecorino or cheddar are best enjoyed with a set honey, such as Scottish Heather Honey, which has a rich amber colour and a delicate floral aroma.

For an evening indulgence, bring out the strong-flavoured cheeses like Isle of Mull, Fiore Sardo, or Comte, as well as blues like Roquefort and Stilton. These cheeses stand up to the sweetness of honey and create a heavenly match. Experiment with different types of honey to find your favourite combination—the options are endless!

So, the next time you're looking to elevate your cheese game, remember to add a touch of honey. It's a simple way to create a sensory experience that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests.

Honey and cheese: a local pairing

Honey and cheese is a classic pairing that has been enjoyed for centuries, dating back to ancient Rome. The sweetness of honey perfectly complements the saltiness of cheese, creating a delightful contrast that will ignite your taste buds. While this pairing may be new to some, it is a popular combination that is sure to impress and spark interesting conversations at your next gathering.

When it comes to choosing the right honey and cheese pairing, the options are endless. Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese, but some combinations are particularly mouth-watering. For a breakfast or dessert option, consider drizzling honey over mild and creamy cheeses such as ricotta, cottage cheese, or burrata. The addition of honey transforms these cheeses into a decadent treat, especially when paired with fruits like figs, apricots, or berries.

If you're looking for a more mature and intense flavour profile, opt for cheeses like La Tur, Selles-sur-Cher, or Gorgonzola Dolce. These cheeses pair beautifully with a scoop or drizzle of honey, creating a delightful contrast that is perfect for a leisurely brunch or lunch. Harder cheeses, such as Pecorino or cheddar, also fall into this category and are best enjoyed with a set honey, like Scottish Heather Honey, which adds a unique depth of flavour.

For an after-dinner treat, bring out the "big-hitters" such as strong-flavoured cheeses: Isle of Mull, Fiore Sardo, Comte, Roquefort, or Stilton. These bold cheeses are perfectly balanced by the sweetness of honey, creating a heavenly match. Experiment with different types of honey to find your favourite combination—whether it's a runny honey or a set honey, both will work beautifully with these strong cheeses.

To elevate your honey and cheese pairing, consider the following tips:

• Local pairings: One of the simplest ways to ensure a perfect pairing is to choose local honey and cheese combinations. The flavours of honey and cheese can vary depending on the region, so opting for locally produced options will create a natural complement to each other.
• Complementary intensities: When selecting a honey and cheese pairing, consider the intensity of both elements. Light and delicate honeys pair well with mild cheeses, while bold and intense honeys are better suited for stronger-flavoured cheeses.
• Contrasting flavours: On the other hand, you can also experiment with contrasting flavours. Pair light and sweet honeys with salty or blue cheeses, or try dark rustic honeys with light and mellow cheeses for an unexpected delight.
• Texture matters: Don't forget to consider the texture of both the honey and the cheese. Chewy honey in the comb pairs well with a triple crème cheese, while crystallized honey can add a unique dimension when paired with a crumbly or firm cheese.
• Personal preference: Ultimately, the best pairing is the one that you enjoy! Start with combinations that you know and like, and don't be afraid to experiment. Mild, soft cheeses like ricotta, yogurt, or goat cheese are great starting points as they allow the honey to shine.

So, the next time you're looking to impress your guests or simply want to indulge in a delicious treat, why not try a honey and cheese pairing? With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find a combination that suits your taste buds and keeps you coming back for more.

Frequently asked questions