The Perfect Fruit Pairings For Cheddar Cheese

When it comes to cheese, there's no denying that cheddar is a classic. But what fruit goes well with this beloved, versatile variety? For those looking to create the perfect cheeseboard or simply experiment with new flavour combinations, read on to discover the best fruits to pair with cheddar cheese. From sweet and juicy to crisp and refreshing, there's a fruit pairing that's sure to tantalise your taste buds and impress your guests. So, get ready to take your cheddar experience to the next level!

Apples and cheddar

The classic combination of apples and cheddar cheese is a match made in heaven, offering a delightful interplay of sweet and salty flavours. This pairing is a crowd-pleaser and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from savoury to sweet dishes.

Choosing the Right Apples

When it comes to selecting the perfect apple to pair with cheddar, a variety of options are available. The Gala apple, with its heart-shaped, yellow-orange hue and red striping, offers a crisp, fragrant flavour that beautifully complements the naturally-aged bite of extra sharp cheddar. For a touch of tartness, the Granny Smith apple is an excellent choice, providing a crisp and juicy contrast to the cheese. Honey Crisp apples, with their red and yellow skin and sweet honey notes, also pair well with cheddar, especially the Alpine variety, as the nutty sharpness of the cheese enhances the apple's sweetness. Other apple varieties worth considering are McIntosh, Braeburn, and Fuji, each bringing their unique characteristics to the pairing.

Culinary Creations with Apples and Cheddar

The versatility of apples and cheddar shines through in numerous recipes. For a savoury treat, try the Sharp Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese, a decadent delight oozing with cheese and featuring the crunch of Granny Smith apple slices and a spread of grainy Dijon mustard. Take it up a notch with the Apple Bacon Mac and Cheese, a comforting bowl of gooey cheese, bacon bits, and sweet apple chunks. Or indulge in the Apple Cheddar Chicken Salad, a refreshing mix of grilled chicken breast, apples, cheddar cubes, walnuts, and a homemade honey yoghurt dressing.

If you're feeling adventurous, the Caramelized Apple and Cheddar Cheese Soft Pretzel with Apple Cider Dipping Sauce is a sweet and savoury masterpiece. This baked good combines Gala apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and sharp cheddar cheese in a soft pretzel, perfectly paired with the apple cider dip. For a heartier meal, the Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers are a must-try, featuring melted cheddar, apple slices, and a spread of maple Dijon mustard.

Pairing with Wine

To elevate your apples and cheddar experience, consider introducing wine into the mix. While a variety of wines can complement this pairing, a medium-bodied Chardonnay is an excellent choice for creamy cheeses. For those seeking a non-alcoholic option, sparkling apple pear juice is a festive alternative that highlights the sweetness of the apples.

In conclusion, the combination of apples and cheddar cheese is a culinary delight, offering a range of flavours, textures, and culinary possibilities. Whether enjoyed as a simple snack or incorporated into more intricate dishes, this pairing is a favourite for a reason.

Grapes and cheddar

Grapes are a common fruit to accompany cheese, and they are often seen on cheese plates. They are easy to eat, and the combination of grapes and cheese is familiar and enjoyable. However, some cheesemongers advise against pairing grapes with cheese due to the presence of tannins in grape skins, seeds, and stems, which can affect the flavour of the cheese.

When creating a cheese and fruit platter, it is essential to consider the balance of flavours and textures. Fresh fruit is best paired with fresh cheese, such as soft, high-moisture cheeses without rinds. For semi-hard cheeses, it is crucial to balance intensities and seek out complementary flavours. Hard cheeses benefit from fatty flavours to soften their dry textures.

In addition to grapes, other fruits that pair well with cheddar include apples, blackberries, cranberries, and pears. Apples, in particular, are a popular choice, as their acidity can complement the fatty and salty characteristics of cheddar. When creating a cheese platter, it is also worth considering dried fruit, which is often sweeter than fresh fruit and can provide a longer shelf life. Dried figs, dates, cherries, and apricots are excellent choices to pair with cheddar.

When serving grapes and cheddar, it is recommended to have a neutral palate before tasting. Start by tasting the cheese alone, then begin eating the grapes and cheese together to evaluate the impact on the flavour of the cheese.

Pears and cheddar

For a simple yet delicious dessert, top warm, spiced poached pears with grated extra sharp cheddar, a dollop of yogurt, pecans, and dried cranberries. The warmth of the pears and the spice will bring out the full flavour of the cheese.

For a more complex dessert, try making a pear and cheddar galette. Start by making a simple pastry dough with flour, butter, salt, and ice water. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour. While the dough is chilling, slice the pears thinly and toss them with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and a small amount of flour. Roll the dough out into a circle and place the pear slices in the centre, leaving a border of a few inches. Fold the edges of the dough over the pears, pleating as you go. Brush the dough with an egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Serve warm with a glass of medium-bodied Chardonnay.

If you're short on time, a cheese board with sliced pears and cheddar is always a good option. Try pairing Royal Verano or Royal Riviera pears, known for their superior sweetness and buttery texture, with a salty, creamy blue cheese such as Caves of Faribault St. Pete's Blue Cheese. The sweetness of the pears will be a perfect foil for the tangy, nutty flavour of the cheese.

Peaches and cheddar

When it comes to creating delicious flavour combinations, pairing fruit with cheese is a fashionable and fancy culinary practice. While apples, grapes, and figs are commonly paired with cheddar cheese, branching out and experimenting with other fruits can lead to some delightful discoveries. One such combination that is sure to impress is the pairing of peaches with cheddar. This unexpected duo creates a contrast of sweet and savoury flavours that beautifully complement each other.

The Perfect Peach

Peaches are a stone fruit known for their juicy, sweet flavour and fragrant aroma. When selecting peaches, look for those that are ripe and yield slightly to gentle pressure. The colour of the peach is also an indicator of ripeness, with a creamy yellow or golden hue being ideal. White peaches, which have a delicate sweetness, can be a wonderful choice and are often available at farmers' markets.

Cheddar Cheese: A Classic Favourite

Cheddar cheese is a popular variety of cheese known for its sharp, savoury flavour and creamy texture. When pairing cheddar with peaches, consider using a white sharp cheddar, which has a strong flavour and creamy texture, or a smoked cheddar for a more robust, smoky taste. The key to a successful pairing is to balance the sweet and savoury notes, creating a delightful contrast that enhances the flavours of both ingredients.

Creative Combinations

There are several ways to combine peaches and cheddar cheese to create mouthwatering dishes:

• Grilled Peach and Cheddar Pizza: Grill a pizza dough topped with sliced peaches, shredded aged cheddar, and red onion for a unique and flavourful dish.
• Peach and Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Layer sliced peaches with white cheddar and a drizzle of honey between slices of sourdough bread, butter the bread, and grill to perfection.
• Peach, Arugula, and Smoked Cheddar Grilled Cheese: For a tangy twist, add arugula to your grilled cheese sandwich for a refreshing bite that cuts through the sweetness of the peaches.
• Peach, Ricotta, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese: Spread ricotta cheese on your bread before adding the sliced peaches and cheddar for an extra creamy texture and subtle tang.

Wine Pairings

To elevate your peach and cheddar experience, consider pairing it with a complementary wine. A white wine with stone fruit aromatics and a medium to full body, such as a Chardonnay, will enhance the flavours of the dish. The crispness and light acidity of a Pinot Gris can also be a wonderful choice, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich flavours of the cheese and fruit.

Plums and cheddar

Plums are a summer fruit and are best eaten and cooked when they are in peak season, plentiful, and widely available in many varieties. When making a charred buttered plum dish, it is recommended to use a medium skillet, preferably cast iron, heated to medium-high heat. Add butter and swirl to coat the skillet before adding the pitted, halved plums, cut-side down. Cook until the cut sides are nicely charred, which should take about five minutes. Place the plums cut-side up on a platter and let them cool slightly.

The sweetness of the plums pairs well with the savoury, rich flavour of cheddar. The charring of the plums adds a slight bitterness that can complement the sharpness of cheddar.

For a unique twist, consider making a plum fruit cheese to accompany your cheddar. This preserve is a great addition to a cheeseboard, offering a rich and savoury-sweet flavour. Plum fruit cheese is firmer than jam and can be sliced like cheese. The sharpness and zestiness of lime, along with vanilla and black peppercorns, can enhance the flavour of plum fruit cheese.

When creating a cheese platter, it is essential to balance complementary tastes and textures. Fresh fruit, such as plums, pairs well with fresh cheese, while fatty flavours can soften dry textures found in hard cheeses.

Frequently asked questions