The Magic Ingredients Behind Cheddar's Unique Taste

Cheddar cheese is a popular variety of cheese that is commonly used in recipes such as macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, soups, and biscuits. It is made from cow's milk and has a fat content of 48%. Cheddar gets its name from a small English village where it was originally produced. The cheese has a sharp, tangy flavour and is often paired with other cheeses, fruits, meats, and wines to enhance its taste.

When it comes to wine, a medium-bodied red such as Le Petit Caboche Vin de Pays de Vaucluse or a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with the intense flavour of cheddar. For white wine, a crisp and light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay that brings out the fruitiness of the wine and the bold tanginess of the cheese is recommended.

Cheddar cheese also goes well with sweet, tart, and juicy fruits like blackberries, plums, figs, apples, and pineapples. It can be paired with meats such as chorizo, ham, salami, and prosciutto, offering a nice contrast of flavours and textures.

In terms of other cheeses, cheddar is often combined with gruyere, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, or smoked gouda in recipes like macaroni and cheese. The mild notes of these cheeses balance the sharpness of cheddar when melted together.

Wine

Red Wines

You'd be hard-pressed to find a red wine that doesn't go well with cheddar cheese. A medium-bodied red such as Le Petit Caboche Vin de Pays de Vaucluse is a perfect match for any hard cheese. A full-bodied red such as Cabernet Sauvignon is also a winner, as it superbly enhances the intense flavour of cheddar.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with a sharper cheddar, consider a Merlot. The dry and dark fruity or herbal characteristics of a classic Merlot combine seamlessly with sharp and tangy cheeses. Zinfandel, with its blackberry and peppery notes, is another excellent choice for sharper cheddars.

For a smoky or sharp cheddar, a medium-bodied red blend can be a nice option. These wines pair nicely with a range of flavours and can stand up to the boldness of the cheese.

White Wines

White wines are generally lower in tannins and pair well with lighter cheeses as well as some dry, sharp varieties. A crisp and light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc, for example, allows the flavour of the cheddar to shine without overwhelming it. Chardonnay is another white wine that pairs beautifully with cheddar, bringing out the fruitiness of the wine and the bold tanginess of the cheese.

When it comes to mild cheddar, a Pinot Grigio is an excellent choice. The higher acidity of this wine pairs beautifully with the creamy, milder flavour of the cheese.

Sparkling Wines

If you're looking for a more festive pairing, sparkling wines can also complement cheddar cheese quite well. A dry to off-dry sparkling wine or Champagne is delightful with a creamy cheese like Monterey Jack.

Rosé

A sweet rosé can be a perfect complement to full-flavoured or spicy cheeses. The sugars in the wine balance out the boldness of the cheese. On the other hand, a drier rosé with bright, fruity flavours and acidity can be a versatile pairing option for a mild cheddar.

Fruit

Fresh fruit is best paired with fresh cheese, such as soft, high-moisture cheeses without rinds (e.g. ricotta or chèvre). Sugar loves mould, so sweet, juicy fruits like apples, apricots, and figs go well with mould cheeses like blue cheese, brie, and gorgonzola.

When pairing fruit with semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, it is important to balance intensities and find complementary flavours. The crispness of apples, for example, complements the sharpness of cheddar, creating a classic and satisfying combination. A semi-sour apple like a Granny Smith is a particularly good match.

Dried fruit, jams, and preserves can also be used in cheese and fruit pairings. For example, quince paste or guava shells are a good pairing for manchego.

Meat

Charcuterie Boards

Cheddar is a popular cheese to include on a charcuterie board, and when it comes to meat pairings, it is often paired with cured meats such as:

• Chorizo
• Salami
• Prosciutto
• Capicola

Sandwiches and Burgers

Cheddar is a classic choice for sandwiches and burgers, and it pairs well with various meats, including:

• Deli ham
• Pepperoni
• Chicken breast
• Bacon

Classic Combinations

Cheddar is also a key ingredient in some classic meat and cheese combinations, such as:

• Ham and cheese
• Chicken and bacon
• Chorizo and potato

Other Meat Pairings

In addition to the above, cheddar pairs well with various other meats, such as:

• Steak
• Proscuitto
• Pepperoni
• Chicken

When pairing meat with cheddar cheese, it's important to consider the intensity of flavours and textures. For example, a sharp cheddar with a strong flavour will stand up to the bold taste of salami, while a milder cheddar might be overwhelmed. The key is to experiment and find the combinations that suit your taste preferences!

Nuts

Types of Nuts

• Pistachios: Pair with farmhouse reserve cheddar for a robust, earthy contrast to the cheese's mellow richness.
• Pecans: The natural sweetness of pecans goes well with the saltiness of white oak cheddar.
• Almonds: For a quick snack, combine almonds, apples, and extra sharp cheddar.
• Peanuts: Serve sharp cheddar with peanuts for a smooth, nutty combination.
• Cashews: Adding cashews to a cheddar cheese board brings a buttery, salty crunch.
• Walnuts: Walnuts enhance the creamy texture and buttery flavour of lite50 sharp cheddar.

Presentation Ideas

• Sprinkle nuts throughout a cheese board for a gorgeous and mouthwatering display.
• Serve nuts alongside a cheese plate or use them as a garnish for salads that feature cheese.
• For a portable snack, pair almonds, apples, and cheddar.

General Guidelines for Cheese Pairings

When pairing cheese with other foods, consider the following:

• Heritage Type: Cheeses and foods produced in the same region often pair well together.
• Flavor Profile: Complementary flavours with some contrast are ideal. Try pairing sweet with salty or spicy.
• Bridging Flavours: Use a complementary third element, such as honey, to tie two different flavours together.
• Texture: Aim for varying textures to engage the senses, especially when creating a charcuterie board. Soft cheeses go well with crunchy nuts and crackers, while hard cheeses pair better with spreadable foods like jam.

Spreads

• Pair sweet jellies and jams, such as strawberry, with lighter cheeses. A young and mild cheddar is a great choice.
• For spicy spreads like hot pepper jelly, try an aged cheddar with a bold flavour profile that won't be overwhelmed by the pepper. Chutney or mustard also pairs well with aged cheddars.
• In general, pair sweeter spreads with savoury and mature cheeses.
• Pair spreads with a sour taste with softer, fresher cheeses that have a sweeter taste.
• Alpine Cheddar and Balsamic Vinegar: The Swiss-inspired flavour and slightly crumbly texture of Alpine Cheddar are complemented by the sharp fruity tang of balsamic vinegar.
• Habanero Cheddar and Maple Syrup: The intense spiciness of Habanero Cheddar is offset by the caramelised sweetness of maple syrup.
• Pepper Jack and Raspberry Jelly: The subtle heat and creamy texture of Pepper Jack melds perfectly with the sweetness of raspberry jelly.
• Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar and Blackberry Jam: The rich, mellow flavour of Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar is balanced by the tart sweetness of blackberry jam.
• Seriously Sharp Cheddar and Dijon Mustard: The complexity and slight nuttiness of Seriously Sharp Cheddar stand up to the robust tangy flavour of Dijon mustard.
• Sharp Cheddar and Caramel: Pairing sharp cheddar with caramel adds a sweet twist to a classic. It's excellent on a cracker with figs or your favourite fruit.

Frequently asked questions