The Perfect Cheese Pairings For Manchego

Manchego is a semi-hard Spanish cheese with a nutty, subtly sweet flavour profile. It is famous for its herringbone rind and piquant undertones of fruit. As the cheese ages, the texture hardens and crystallises, and the flavours become richer and more intense.

So what cheese goes well with Manchego?

Manchego with quince paste

Manchego is a semi-hard, nutty, subtly sweet cheese with piquant undertones of fruit. It is Spain's most famous cheese, known for its signature rind and dense texture. Its versatility means it can be paired with a broad range of flavours, from sweet to savoury.

Dulce de membrillo, or quince paste, is a classic pairing with Manchego. This combination is so popular that it is the national snack of Spain. Quince is a hard fruit that looks like a cross between an apple and a pear. Most varieties cannot be eaten raw and need to be cooked. When cooked, they turn pink and give off a wonderful sweet floral aroma.

The sweetness of the quince paste balances the salty and nutty taste of the Manchego. It is a perfect snack for children, who love the sweetness of the quince, and it is also a great way to ensure they are getting vitamins and protein. It is also a wonderful dessert or appetizer and works well in a school sandwich.

For a heavenly combination, spread quince paste on a cracker with a slice of Manchego. Alternatively, serve quince paste with a young or aged Manchego as part of a cheese board.

Manchego and jamón

Manchego is Spain's most famous cheese, known for its signature rind, dense texture, and piquant flavour. It is a ubiquitous choice for tapas, often matched with Spain's other revered food, jamón.

Jamón, or ham, comes in two main types: jamón serrano and jamón ibérico. Jamón serrano is a type of dry-cured Spanish ham, made from white-coated pigs. Jamón ibérico is made from black Iberian pigs, and is considered the more premium option.

The salty, savoury jamón is a perfect match for the nutty, subtly sweet flavour of Manchego. The two foods are often served together as part of a tapas selection, alongside other items such as olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and almonds.

For a full tapas experience, it is recommended to pair Manchego and jamón with a glass of Spanish red wine, such as Rioja Reserva, or a glass of sherry.

Manchego and chocolate

Chocolate and cheese might seem like an unusual combination, but studies have shown that they are a perfect pairing. Chocolate and Manchego, in particular, can be a match made in heaven.

As both foods have very intense and complex flavour profiles, not all chocolate and cheese pairings will be a success. Manchego is a hard cheese, so experts recommend pairing it with high-quality dark chocolate (60% or more). Dark chocolate doesn't have a lot of sugar, so it's easier to taste all the true flavours. Of course, milk chocolate and white chocolate could work too.

• Combine Manchego cheese and chocolate in small grilled cheese sandwiches.
• On a dessert plate, serve some Manchego slices, a bit of honey, some dark chocolate sprinkles, and a few pine nuts. Ask your guests to dip the cheese in the honey and finish with a dip into the chocolate and pine nuts.

Just remember to make sure both the chocolate and the Manchego are at room temperature before tasting to maximise the flavours and aromas.

Manchego with pistachios and truffle

Manchego is a versatile cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. Its nutty flavour and firm texture make it a great standalone snack, but it can also be used in cooking.

Pistachios and Truffle

The earthy and nutty flavour of truffle complements the nuttiness of Manchego cheese, while the saltiness of pistachios adds a nice crunch and balances out the cheese's subtle sweetness. This combination makes for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Other Pairings

Manchego is often paired with the following:

• Quince paste or 'membrillo'—the national snack of Spain when paired with Manchego
• Spanish olives—the perfect salty and briny complement to the nutty flavour of Manchego
• Breadsticks or 'picos'—a classic pairing that works especially well with Manchego
• Truffle crackers—the earthy and robust flavour of the truffle creates a unique and unforgettable combination
• Figs—the sweetness of fresh figs perfectly balances the salty and nutty taste of Manchego
• Grapes—as the common Spanish saying goes, "grapes and cheese taste like a kiss"
• Honey—the natural sweetness of honey perfectly complements the salty tang of Manchego
• Dates—the soft, sweet fruit pairs remarkably well with the savoury cheese, creating a unique culinary experience
• Chocolate—experts recommend high-quality dark chocolate (+60%) for a hard cheese like Manchego
• Jamón Serrano—Manchego is often matched with Spain's other revered food, jamón Serrano, in tapas

Manchego with Spanish olives

Manchego is a semi-hard, nutty, subtly sweet cheese with piquant undertones of fruit. It is Spain's most famous cheese, known for its signature rind and dense texture. Its versatility means it can be paired with a broad range of flavours.

Spanish olives are the perfect salty and briny complement to the nutty flavour of Manchego cheese. The rich, nutty flavour of Manchego is balanced out by the saltiness of the olives, creating a delicious combination. For a surprising twist, try including Spanish olives stuffed with anchovies. The rich and savoury flavour of the anchovies pairs perfectly with the nuttiness of the cheese.

For a visually stunning board, serve sliced figs alongside wedges of Manchego cheese. The sweetness of the fresh figs perfectly balances the salty and nutty taste of the cheese. Alternatively, quince paste is a classic pairing with Manchego. Its subtle tang and sweetness make it the perfect complement to the nutty flavour of the cheese. Spread it on a cracker with a slice of Manchego for a heavenly combination.

For a more unexpected pairing, try truffle crackers with the cheese. The earthy and robust flavour of the truffle complements the nutty taste of the cheese, resulting in a unique and unforgettable combination.

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