Choosing Honey To Pair With Cheese: A Guide

Honey and cheese are a match made in heaven. The combination of these two foods might seem unusual, but it has been enjoyed for millennia in countries like France, Italy and Greece. The sweetness of honey is the perfect contrast to the saltiness of cheese, and both foods have many depths and variations of flavour depending on where they are made. Honey can be drizzled over a wedge of cheese or served on the side of a cheese plate, with or without honeycomb. The best cheeses for honey include mild and creamy cheeses, sharp blues, aged cheeses, and tangy and acidic cheeses.

Honey and cheese is a popular combination on cheese plates

Honey can be used to elevate the flavour of cheese and add an extra dimension to the taste experience. It should be used sparingly, as it is meant to enhance rather than smother the flavour of the cheese. Honey can be drizzled over a wedge of cheese, or served on the side of a cheese plate, with or without slices of baguette or crackers.

Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese, but it is especially good with mild and creamy cheeses, tangy and acidic cheeses, aged cheeses, and blue cheese. For example, ricotta drizzled with honey can be served for breakfast or dessert, and this pairing works well with fruit like figs, apricots, and berries. It can also be served with a salty element like prosciutto on the side. Brie and triple-cream cheeses are also delicious with honey, especially when garnished with nuts.

Blue cheese is another excellent choice to pair with honey. The sweet honey will mellow out the strong flavour of the blue cheese, and subtle honeys such as alfalfa and clover work particularly well. Honeycomb is also a great choice to pair with blue cheese, as the textures go well together.

Aged cheeses like sharp cheddar are delicious with a drizzle of Spanish thyme honey, or with honeycomb. Thyme honey has a strong herbal flavour and a delightful floral aroma that can enhance a simple cheddar. Fresh and creamy soft goat cheese and other tangy, acidic cheeses like feta are also excellent with honey.

For those who prefer harder cheeses, like pecorino or cheddar, a set honey like Scottish Heather Honey is recommended. This variety has been confirmed to be a superfood and will add a unique twist to your cheese plate.

Honey is meant to enhance, not overpower the flavour of cheese

Honey and cheese is a match made in heaven. The sweetness of honey is a perfect contrast to the saltiness of cheese. But how do you pair the two to perfection?

Honey is meant to enhance the flavour of cheese, not smother it, so it's best to use sparingly. A drizzle of honey over a wedge of cheese just before serving is a simple way to impress your guests. You can also serve a jar of honey on the side of a cheese plate, or get creative with pieces of honeycomb. Honeycomb is the purest form of honey, straight from the hive, and it looks stunning on a cheese plate.

When it comes to the type of honey, it's best to match the intensity of the honey to the intensity of the cheese. Light and delicate honeys pair well with light cheeses, while bold, dark honeys with animal or woody notes complement strong, blue cheeses. For example, blue cheese tastes delicious with subtly flavoured honeys such as alfalfa and clover. The mild sweetness of these honeys cuts through the spice and sharpness of the blue cheese.

For nutty cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, alpine cheeses like Gruyere and Comte, and firm cheeses like cheddar, opt for flavour-rich honey varieties such as chestnut and buckwheat. These honeys have a strong flavour that stands up to the intensity of these cheeses.

If you're serving a soft, creamy cheese like goat cheese, brie, or camembert, a citrus honey is a perfect match. The freshness of the citrus will complement the creaminess of the cheese. You could also pair these cheeses with honeycomb, spreading the cheese right on top.

To elevate your cheese and honey experience, serve it with slices of baguette or crackers. These provide a solid foundation for the cheese and honey, making it easier to eat. You can also add some sliced meat, such as salami, serrano ham, or prosciutto, for a savoury touch. Olives, especially Kalamata and Manzanilla, are another tasty addition, bringing a briny contrast to the sweetness of the honey.

Finally, don't forget the fruit! Figs, apples, pears, berries, and grapes are classic pairings, adding a burst of freshness to the plate. Dried fruit, like apricots, are also a great choice, especially when combined with nuts like walnuts. So, get creative, experiment with different combinations, and enjoy the heavenly marriage of honey and cheese!

Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese

Honey and cheese are a match made in heaven. The sweetness of honey is a perfect contrast to the saltiness of cheese. Both products have many depths and variations of flavour, depending on where they are made. Honey should be used to elevate the flavour of cheese, adding an extra element without smothering the original taste.

When it comes to serving, a drizzle of honey over a wedge of cheese is a simple yet effective way to impress your guests. You can also serve a jar of honey on the side of a cheese plate, or even include pieces of honeycomb—a unique and visually stunning way to present honey. Slices of baguette or crackers are a great addition to your cheese and honey, providing a foundation to build on.

For a real treat, try pairing your honey and cheese with some fruit, such as figs, apples, pears, berries, or grapes. Dried fruit, like apricots, also work well, especially when combined with nuts like walnuts. And if you're feeling extra indulgent, why not add some sliced meat, such as salami, serrano ham, or prosciutto? With so many pairing choices and combinations, the possibilities are endless!

Honey and cheese is a great way to change up your cheese board

Honey is meant to enhance the flavour of cheese, not smother it, so use it sparingly. Honey pairs well with almost any type of cheese. It is especially good with mild and creamy cheeses, a sharp or spicy blue cheese, an aged cheese, or a tangy, acidic cheese.

Ricotta drizzled with honey can be served for breakfast or even as a dessert. This pairing is fantastic with fruit like figs, apricots, and berries. You can also add a salty element by serving prosciutto on the side. For a more intense flavour, try drizzling runny honey on a wedge of ricotta.

Blue cheese tastes especially delicious with subtly flavoured honeys such as alfalfa and clover. Don't be afraid to experiment with bold blues (even the stinky ones), as subtle honeys have a way of cutting spice and sharpness. The sweet honey will mellow out the strong flavour of the blue cheese and create flavours you've never experienced before.

Nutty cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and alpine cheeses like Gruyere and Comte pair well with flavour-rich varieties such as chestnut and buckwheat honey. When pairing these firm cheeses, there's no need for bread or crackers—just break off a piece, add a dribble of honey, and eat with your hands!

Creamy cheeses such as goat's cheese, brie, and Camembert taste delicious when supplemented with a citrus honey. For a beautiful presentation, serve honeycomb—the purest form of honey, straight from the hive—with these cheeses. Honeycomb is very sweet, and it's structured enough that you can spread cheese right on top.

When serving honey and cheese, you can drizzle the honey over the cheese just before your guests arrive, or serve a jar of honey on the side of a cheese plate. You can also leave a piece of honeycomb whole on the cheese plate for a stunning visual effect. Don't forget to serve slices of baguette or crackers alongside your cheese and honey, to provide a foundation for your guests to build on.

Honey and cheese is an emerging trend, but it dates back to ancient Rome

Fast forward to the present, and honey and cheese have emerged as a modern culinary trend, offering a delightful contrast of sweet and salty flavours that tantalise the taste buds. The key to this pairing lies in the complementary nature of the two ingredients, with honey enhancing the cheese's flavour rather than overwhelming it. A drizzle of honey adds a touch of sweetness to the saltiness of cheese, creating a perfect balance that delights the palate.

When it comes to specific pairings, mild and creamy cheeses such as ricotta, cottage cheese, and burrata are exquisite when paired with a light, delicate honey. For breakfast or dessert, serve these cheeses with fruits like figs, apricots, or berries, and perhaps a drizzle of honey for an indulgent touch. During the day, opt for more mature and intense cheeses such as La Tur, Selles-sur-Cher, or Gorgonzola Dolce, which pair beautifully with a scoop of honey or a drizzle on a cracker.

For those who prefer harder cheeses, such as Pecorino or cheddar, a set honey like Scottish Heather Honey is a superb choice. Its unique flavour profile and superfood status elevate the cheese experience. At night, bring out the "big-hitters", such as strong flavoured cheeses including Isle of Mull, Fiore Sardo, or Roquefort. These bold cheeses are beautifully complemented by honey, with its intense sweetness softening the robust character of the cheese, resulting in a heavenly match.

Whether you're indulging in a classic combination or experimenting with new pairings, honey and cheese offer a delightful sensory journey that has captivated palates for centuries, from ancient Roman feasts to modern culinary adventures.

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