The Perfect Fruit Pairings For Brie Cheese

Brie is a soft French cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavour. It is traditionally eaten with plain bread or crackers, but there are many fruits that can complement its flavour. The most traditional pairing is a slightly acidic fruit like apples, grapes, and pears. Fresh and dried blueberries, cherries, strawberries, apricots, peaches, blackberries, and mangoes are also good options.

Apples, grapes and pears

Apples, grapes, and pears are classic fruits to serve with brie cheese. The most traditional pairing is a slightly acidic fruit, and these three fruits fit the bill.

In the summer, you might prefer to serve brie with fresh peaches and blackberries, but apples and pears are a better fit for the winter season. You can serve the fruit alongside the cheese, or you can bake the brie and top it with the fruit.

To make a baked brie with apples or pears, first bake the brie in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 375°F. Then, remove the brie from the oven and top it with a fruit mixture. You can make the fruit mixture by melting butter in a pan, adding in peaches, stirring in brown sugar, and then adding apple juice. Finally, add in blackberries and stir until the berries are warm. You can make this mixture ahead of time and rewarm it before adding it to the brie.

If you want to keep things simple, just serve the cheese with some sliced apples or pears, and perhaps some sliced veggies like celery, carrots, or peppers.

Cherries, mixed berries and figs

Cherries, mixed berries, and figs are all excellent choices to pair with brie cheese. These fruits complement the creamy, buttery, and mild flavour of the cheese.

Cherries, especially when fresh, are a delightful companion to brie. They provide a burst of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savoury notes of the cheese. This pairing is further enhanced when accompanied by a cherry-flavoured fruit beer, such as a Kriek, or a raspberry-flavoured beer like a Frambozen.

Mixed berries, including blueberries, strawberries, and apricots, also make a wonderful companion to brie. The slight acidity of these fruits cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a well-rounded flavour profile. For an indulgent treat, try making a grilled cheese sandwich with melted brie and a blueberry compote on a brioche bun.

Figs, with their sweet and acidic nature, are another excellent choice to pair with brie. Their unique flavour adds a depth of taste that is sure to impress. Whether served fresh or in the form of a fig jam or preserve, figs will undoubtedly elevate your brie-eating experience.

When creating a charcuterie board or simply enjoying a slice of brie, consider adding some fresh cherries, mixed berries, or figs to your plate. These fruits will not only provide a beautiful presentation but will also enhance the flavour of the brie, making it a delightful sensory experience.

Blueberries, cherries, strawberries and apricots

Blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and apricots are all slightly acidic fruits that pair well with brie. Together, they make for a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. For instance, you could make a grilled cheese with melted brie, blueberry compote (blueberries cooked in a sugar syrup), and a brioche bun. You could also try a fruit and cheese platter with brie and these fruits, or bake the brie and serve it with the fruits.

If you want to get creative, you could try a blueberry, cherry, strawberry, or apricot compote with melted brie on a baguette. The baguette is a traditional pairing for brie, as the French enjoy the plain bread's inability to compete with the delicious flavours of the cheese.

If you're looking for a drink to go with your fruit and brie, try a fruity red like a New Zealand or Chilean Pinot Noir, a fruity dry rosé, a creamy and subtly oaked Chardonnay, or a blanc de blancs champagne.

Peaches and blackberries

Baked Brie with Peaches and Blackberries

This recipe is a real showstopper and is incredibly easy to put together. The soft, melted brie topped with the delicious fruit will be the star of your next party. Here's what you need to do:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Melt some butter in a pan and add diced peaches. Cook until the peaches are tender.
• Stir in some brown sugar and mix until it melts and forms a syrupy sauce.
• Pour in a bit of apple juice and cook until the mixture thickens slightly.
• Toss in some blackberries and gently stir until they are warmed through.
• Place a 14-ounce round of brie on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melted.
• Remove the brie from the oven and generously top it with the peach and blackberry mixture.
• Sprinkle toasted walnuts over the fruit for added flavor and crunch.
• Serve with crackers and bread slices.

Tips and Variations

• You can make the fruit mixture ahead of time and rewarm it before adding it to the baked brie. Keep it refrigerated until you're ready to use it.
• If the brie starts to cool down before your guests finish it, simply pop it back in the oven or microwave for a few minutes to remelt it.
• To toast the walnuts, place them on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for about 2 minutes. Stir and repeat in 1-2 minute intervals until they are lightly browned. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from toasted to burnt quickly.
• If you prefer, you can also toast the walnuts in the oven or in a pan on the stovetop.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts, such as pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts.
• While the rind of the brie is edible, some people may not enjoy its flavor. You can choose to leave it on or cut it off before baking, depending on your preference.

Pairing with Drinks

To enhance your brie and fruit experience, consider pairing it with a complementary drink. Here are some excellent options:

• Fruity red wines, such as a New Zealand or Chilean Pinot Noir, pair well with brie. More mature bries may require a more robust wine, like those from Central Otago.
• A fruity dry rosé is a perfect choice for a summer picnic.
• A creamy, subtly oaked Chardonnay, including a white burgundy, will complement the brie's richness.
• A blanc de blancs champagne or a Chardonnay-based sparkling wine will add elegance to your brie and fruit pairing.
• For something unique, try a cherry or raspberry-flavored fruit beer (Kriek or Frambozen) when serving brie with fresh cherries.

Mango

Brie is a soft French cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavour. It is traditionally eaten with plain bread or crackers. However, it can also be paired with various toppings and drinks.

When pairing brie with fruit, it is best to avoid citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, grapefruit, and tangerines, as these can make the cheese taste uncomfortably strong or smell strange.

• Type of mango: There are many varieties of mangoes available, each with its own unique flavour and texture. Some are sweeter, while others have a more tangy or tart taste. Choose a variety that complements the brie's flavour.
• Ripeness: The ripeness of the mango will also affect the flavour of the pairing. A ripe mango will be sweeter and softer, while an unripe mango may be more tangy or bitter.
• Preparation: Fresh mango slices can be used, or you can create a mango topping by cooking the fruit with other ingredients such as sugar, spices, or herbs. Cooking mango can enhance its sweetness and make it softer, which may be preferable for pairing with brie.
• Serving suggestions: Mango and brie can be served in various ways. For a simple option, place slices of brie and mango on a platter with crackers or bread. For a more elaborate presentation, try baking the brie and topping it with a mango chutney or compote.

In addition to fruit, brie also pairs well with nuts, such as toasted walnuts or pecans, and sweet or acidic drinks, such as French champagne or sweet, tart wines like Pinot Noir.

When creating any food pairing, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. The sweetness and tanginess of mango can complement the creamy, buttery flavour of brie, resulting in a delicious and unexpected combination.

Frequently asked questions