Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese is a bold and funky flavour that can be paired with a variety of foods and drinks. The strong nature and acidity of blue cheese allow for sweeter pairings, such as honey, chocolate, and fresh or dried fruit. Blue cheese also goes well with more savoury items, such as nuts, bread, crackers, and meats. When it comes to drinks, while blue cheese and wine are not always a great combo, rich, sweet, and fortified wines tend to work well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Butter, Cambozola, Castello, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Valdeón, Muffato, Shropshire Blue, Danablu, Roaring 40s Blue, Cabrales, Fromager d'Affinois Blue, Caveman Blue, Buttermilk Blue Affinee, Moody Blue, Smokey Blue, Smokey River Blue, Cheddar, Brie |
| Fruit | Fig, Pear, Apple, Apricot, Raisin, Walnut, Quince |
| Condiments | Honey, Truffle, Chocolate, Chutney, Jam, Pickles, Fruit Compote, Caramel |
| Meat | Steak, Beef, Pulled Pork, Chicken Wings, Bacon |
| Drink | Wine, Port, Stout, Moscato, Cider, Tea, Coffee |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese and honey
Blue cheese is a bold and tangy cheese with a strong flavour and salty notes. To balance the acidity and saltiness of the blue cheese, it is often paired with something sweet. Honey is the perfect counterpart to salty blue cheese. The sweetness of honey balances the acidity of the blue cheese, creating a delightful combination of flavours.
When pairing blue cheese with honey, it is important to choose a high-quality honey that complements the cheese. A good option is a creamed and spreadable honey or one that drizzles easily. Bring the blue cheese to room temperature before serving, as this will enhance its flavour and texture. Crumble the blue cheese or cut it into wedges and drizzle the honey over the top. You can adjust the amount of honey used according to your taste preferences.
For a more savoury option, you can create a blue cheese and honey appetizer. This can be served with sliced apples or other seasonal fruits, such as pears or dried fruits. You can also add celery sticks or sliced bell peppers to balance the richness of the blue cheese and honey. This appetizer is perfect for wine nights or as a tasty treat to enjoy with your favourite wine.
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Blue cheese and fruit
Blue cheese is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of fruits to create delicious and complex flavour profiles. The bold acidity of blue cheese allows for sweeter pairings, such as fresh figs, pear and apple slices, dried fruits, and walnuts. The sharpness of the cheese is nicely balanced by the sweetness of the fruit, creating a delightful contrast of flavours.
When creating a blue cheese platter, it is recommended to include a variety of textures and flavours. For example, a creamy blue cheese like Cambozola, a combination of triple cream brie and gorgonzola, can be paired with the crunch of a fresh pear or apple slice. Alternatively, a sharp, crumbly blue cheese like Roquefort or Valdeón can be matched with the softness of dried fruits such as cherries or apricots.
In addition to the type of fruit, the preparation method can also enhance the pairing. For instance, blue cheese can be drizzled with honey to create a sweet and salty combination, or glazed walnuts can be sprinkled over the cheese for added crunch and sweetness. To elevate the flavours even further, a balsamic reduction can be drizzled over the cheese and fruit, adding a touch of acidity and depth to the dish.
When serving blue cheese and fruit, it is important to consider the temperature and presentation. Blue cheese should be served at room temperature to allow the flavours to fully develop. A mixed blue cheese platter can be a stunning display, offering a variety of textures and flavours for guests to explore. Slices of baguette or crackers can also be provided to create a more substantial bite.
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Blue cheese and wine
Blue cheese is a strong and salty cheese with a bold acidity. Its pungent flavour means it is often paired with sweet wines, such as dessert wines, Moscato, or port. The rich, sticky, sweet wines tend to work well with blue cheese, as the sugar in the wine balances the salty, savoury notes of the cheese. A late-harvest Riesling or other semi-sweet whites can also work well.
If you are creating a cheeseboard, it is recommended to include a variety of sweet and salty items to create an ultimate pairing experience. In addition to wine, blue cheese can be paired with dried fruits such as apricots, raisins, or cranberries, as well as fresh figs, apples, and pears. Walnuts, crackers, and crusty bread are also good additions to a blue cheese platter.
For a more unusual pairing, blue cheese can be matched with dark chocolate, which has the right sweet-to-bitter ratio to complement the earthy qualities of the cheese.
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Blue cheese and chocolate
Blue cheese is a strong-flavoured cheese with a bold acidity that comes from the mould that gives it its distinctive flavour and colour. Its sharp, tangy taste means it is often paired with something sweet to cut through and balance the acidity.
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is a good pairing for blue cheese. The bitterness of the chocolate and the sweetness of the sugar complement the salty, savoury notes of the blue cheese. The combination of blue cheese and chocolate is intense and unusual, but it works. Dark chocolate truffles with a blue cheese centre are one way to combine the two, as are brownies with a blue cheese swirl.
If you are looking for a more straightforward way to pair blue cheese and chocolate, you could try dipping chunks of blue cheese into melted chocolate, or drizzling chocolate over the top of a hunk of blue cheese. Alternatively, you could try a chocolate blue cheese, which is a blue cheese that has been lathered in chocolate liquor and topped with cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
If you want to pair blue cheese with a drink, a late-harvest Riesling or other semi-sweet white wine is a good option.
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Blue cheese and crackers
Blue cheese is a bold, salty cheese with a strong flavour and a buttery texture. It is often paired with crackers, especially whole grain crackers, and can be topped with sweet caramel or honey. The saltiness of the cheese is a great counterpart to the sweetness of the honey or caramel.
Blue cheese is also commonly paired with fruits such as fresh figs, pears, apples, dried fruits, and nuts like walnuts. The sharp, bold flavours of the cheese are nicely balanced by sweeter fruit compotes and condiments. The cheese can also be paired with quince paste, chutneys, pickles, jams, and chocolate.
When it comes to drinks, blue cheese is often paired with wine, specifically sweeter, rich, sticky wines like port or stout. However, some sources suggest that blue cheese and wine are not a great combination, and that drinks like black tea or coffee can also be a good pairing.
Blue cheese is also used in cooking, especially in salads, and can be paired with meats like steak, chicken wings, or BBQ pulled pork. It can also be melted on a burger or a roast beef sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is often paired with fresh or dried fruit, such as figs, apples, or pears. It also goes well with nuts, crackers, honey, chocolate, chutney, jams, and bread.
Blue cheese is often paired with wine, specifically sweeter wines like moscato or port. It can also be paired with tea or coffee.
Blue cheese goes well with red meat, such as steak or BBQ pulled pork. It can also be paired with chicken wings or breakfast bacon.
Yes, some types of blue cheese may be better suited to certain pairings than others. For example, milder blues like Cambozola or Stilton can ease you into the unique nuances of blue cheese. On the other hand, stronger blues like Roquefort or Gorgonzola may be better suited to bolder pairings like caramelized onions or honey.
