Bushra Griffith
When it comes to entertaining at home, a cheese platter loaded with fruits, nuts, crackers, and bread is a delightful option. The best fruit and cheese pairings create a delightful combination of flavours and textures. For instance, the crispness of apples complements the sharpness of cheddar cheese, while the sweetness of grapes pairs beautifully with the creaminess of brie. Similarly, the sweet and slightly grainy texture of pears goes well with the pungent and creamy gorgonzola cheese. In addition to fresh fruits, dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, and mangoes can also be paired with cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Apples, Grapes, Cherries, Berries, Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Pears, Mangoes, Pineapples, Cranberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Prunes, Figs, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Pomegranate, Quince, Persimmons |
| Fruit Spreads | Chutney, Jam, Honey |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Brie, Blue Cheese, Camembert, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gorgonzola Dolce, Goat Cheese, Parmesan, Promontory Cheese, Gruyère, Touvelle Cheese |
| Other Add-ons | Crackers, Bread, Breadsticks, Nuts, Olives, Mustard, Cured Meats, Chocolate, Wine, Cocktails, Spirits |
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What You'll Learn
Sweet and salty combinations
Watermelon and Feta: The light, juicy-sweet watermelon is a perfect match for the salty, mild feta cheese. The saltiness of the feta enhances the melon's sweetness, making them a match made in heaven.
Apple and Cheddar: Apples, especially crisp, semi-sour varieties like Granny Smith, are a classic pairing with sharp Cheddar cheese. The crispnest of the apple complements the sharpness of the cheese, creating a satisfying contrast. This combination is so popular that it even extends to adding a slice of cheddar to apple pies!
Pear and Gorgonzola: The sweet and slightly grainy texture of pears goes well with the pungent and creamy Gorgonzola cheese. The sweetness of the pear balances the pungency of the cheese, resulting in a harmonious pairing.
Dried Mango and Gorgonzola Dolce: This pairing is all about contrasting textures. The soft, creamy Gorgonzola Dolce blue cheese pairs beautifully with the chewy, dried mango. The saltiness of the cheese enhances the sweetness of the mango.
Plums and Promontory Cheese: Tree-ripened and dried Angelino plums offer an intense, sweet plum flavour that pairs well with Promontory cheese, an Irish-style cheddar. The sweet and tangy flavours of the plums create a beautiful contrast with the salty, nutty notes of the cheese.
In addition to fresh and dried fruits, sweet elements such as honey, glazed nuts, or chocolate can be added to a cheese board to enhance the sweetness. Chutneys, jams, and fruit spreads, such as quince paste, can also provide sweet and fruity notes to complement the saltiness of the cheese.
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Cranberries and chutney
Cranberries are a fun fall fruit to pair with cheese, according to Molly Browne, dean of mongers at Cheese State University and education director at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. She recommends serving a bloomy rind cheese like Hoard's St. Saviour with a cranberry jam or chutney. Cranberry chutney is a nice alternative to regular cranberry sauce on your holiday table.
Chutney is a condiment of Indian origin made with a blend of sweet, sour, and savoury ingredients like fruit, ginger, onions, sugar, spices, and vinegar. This sweet-sour balance of a chutney pairs beautifully with a creamy hunk of cheese, like a brie or cream cheese.
Cranberry chutney is also a great addition to a charcuterie board or a cheese board, served alongside crackers and cold meats. It can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature or cold. This spiced cranberry chutney is loaded with apples, raisins, and spices, and is fragrant and chunky.
To make cranberry chutney, combine all the ingredients in a medium pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a rapid boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove the lid and simmer the chutney for 15 minutes more, until thickened. Let cool completely, then spoon the chutney into a bowl or jars and refrigerate until ready to use.
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Tropical fruits and cheese
When creating a tropical fruit and cheese platter, it is important to consider the different types of tropical fruits and cheeses available and how they can complement each other. Fresh tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, and pineapple can be paired with creamy and mellow cheeses like basket cheese or ricotta. The sweetness and tanginess of these fruits go well with the smooth and mild flavours of these cheeses.
For those who enjoy a more intense flavour profile, dried tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple, or persimmon can be paired with sharper cheeses. The concentrated sweetness of dried mango pairs well with a soft, creamy blue cheese like Gorgonzola Dolce, while the unique flavour of dried pineapple complements the salty and nutty tones of aged Parmesan styles, such as Parmigiano Reggiano.
In addition to the fruit and cheese, consider adding some crunch and texture to your platter with nuts such as macadamia nuts or mixed nuts of your choice. These salty and crunchy elements will contrast the sweetness of the tropical fruits and create a well-rounded flavour profile.
Finally, don't forget to include some honey, which can be drizzled over the cheese or used as a dip for the fruits. The sweetness of honey will enhance the overall flavour of the platter and create a delightful sensory experience for your guests.
With these tips in mind, you can create a tropical fruit and cheese platter that is not only visually appealing but also offers a delightful blend of flavours, textures, and aromas that will impress your guests and keep them coming back for more.
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Apples and cheddar
For example, the crisp, fragrant flavour of the Gala apple is a perfect match for the naturally-aged bite of Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar. The tartness of the Granny Smith apple is balanced by the creamy texture of Cabot Pepper Jack, with a little spice added to the mix. The Honey Crisp apple, with its red and yellow skin and sweet honey notes, pairs well with the Cabot Alpine Cheddar. The McIntosh apple, known for its refreshingly sweet-tart flavour, is a good match for the wild-natured sharpness of Cabot's Seriously Sharp Cheddar. The Braeburn apple, with its spicy-sweet, high-impact flavour, requires a bold cheese to stand up to it, such as the Cabot Habanero Cheddar. The Fuji apple, a versatile variety, pairs well with the smooth, mellow profile of Cabot Vermont Sharp Cheddar.
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Grapes and brie
For a simple yet elegant appetizer, you can serve a cheese board with grapes and brie as the stars, surrounded by an assortment of crackers, bread, or crunchy breadsticks. To elevate this, you can add some honey, glazed nuts, or even chocolate for an extra touch of sweetness. Don't forget to fill in the gaps on your board with some fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley.
If you're looking for a warm and indulgent treat, baking brie with roasted grapes is a festive and impressive dish. This combination can be served with crackers, slices of baguette, or even veggie sticks for a healthier option. To prepare, simply roast grapes with a drizzle of honey, a dash of black pepper, and your favourite red wine. Bake a whole wheel of brie until melted and gooey, then top with the roasted grapes.
For a fun twist, you can try making roasted grape and brie crostini. Simply roast your grapes, prepare some creamy brie, and assemble on top of toasted baguette slices. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with sea salt and chopped walnuts for a sophisticated bite-sized treat.
Whether served simply or baked to perfection, the combination of grapes and brie is a delightful pairing that showcases the versatility of these ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
Classic fruit and cheese pairings include apples with cheddar, grapes with brie, pears with gorgonzola, and watermelon with feta.
In the summer, fresh cherries, berries, and stone fruits like peaches and plums are in season. In the fall and winter, fruits like apples, pears, pomegranates, and dried fruits are more common.
Consider the flavour and texture of the cheese. Sweet or tart fruits pair well with salty cheeses, while crisp fruits like apples can cut through the richness of creamy cheeses.
Some less common but delicious pairings include cranberries with bloomy rind cheese, strawberries with brie, and dried mango with gorgonzola dolce.
