Bushra Griffith
Chocolate and cheese are two foods with a surprisingly compatible flavour combination. While the pairing may sound unusual, it is a delightful culinary combo. Both chocolate and cheese are complex and nuanced, and the process of making them shares similarities, including the use of microbes. The combination of sweet, dark, extravagant chocolate with the salty, savoury, sharpness of cheddar cheese makes for a marvellous match-up. This combination can be taken a step further by combining sweet chocolate with savoury cheese to make a truly delectable chocolate cheese fudge.
Chocolate Cheddar Cheese Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Fudge |
| Ingredients | Cheddar, dry milk powder, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, cocoa powder |
| Flavour | Sweet and savoury |
| Texture | Rich, creamy, velvety, smooth, stiff |
| Colour | Brown |
| Shape | Square |
| Serving size | 4 oz |
| Health benefits | Cheddar is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, offers health benefits such as reduced risk of heart failure and lower stress levels. |
| Pairings | Wine, beer, liqueurs |
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What You'll Learn
Chocolate and cheese pairings
Chocolate and cheese are two delicious foods that create a surprisingly compatible and extraordinary taste combination. The process of making both foods is similar, as they are both fermented. The cacao seeds used to make chocolate must be fermented, dried, and roasted to produce the signature chocolate flavour. Similarly, the final flavour of cheese is attributed to the compounds produced as microbes ferment.
When pairing chocolate and cheese, it is essential to consider the flavour and texture of each. A general rule of thumb is to pair chocolate with cheese that has a similar flavour profile. For instance, a nutty chocolate goes well with an aged, firm, nutty cheese, while a slightly savoury and funky chocolate pairs well with a washed rind that enhances those flavours. If you want to create a contrast between the chocolate and cheese, opt for a creamy blue cheese with dark dark dark chocolate or a triple cream cheese with dark chocolate. The cream in the triple cream cheese serves as a sweet, buttery accent to the astringent, slightly bitter quality of dark chocolate.
For a unique flavour experience, try pairing a sharp cheddar with dark chocolate with nutty or fruity notes. The saltiness of the aged cheddar will complement the nutty, umami flavour of the chocolate, and the addition of nuts will further enhance this. If you're feeling adventurous, try a habanero chocolate with its furiously fiery and bold flavour profile, paired with a smooth milk chocolate. The sweetness of the milk chocolate will nicely mellow the spiciness of the cheese, creating a balanced sweet and savoury pairing.
For those who enjoy a creamy and soft cheese, a creamy Brie can be enhanced with a milk chocolate infused with caramel or honey. To add a crunch to this pairing, incorporate some nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts. If you're creating a dessert cheese board, don't forget to include some fresh fruits like figs, berries, and pears to add a touch of sweetness and freshness.
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Health benefits of chocolate and cheddar
Chocolate and cheddar cheese are two delicious foods that can be enjoyed together, offering a surprisingly compatible flavour combination. But aside from their great taste, both chocolate and cheddar also offer some impressive health benefits.
Cheddar cheese is one of the most popular varieties of cheese, originating from the town of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It is a versatile cheese, perfect for snacking or cooking. Cheddar is a good source of dietary calcium and phosphorus, which are important for bone strength and growth. It is also one of the finest sources of vitamin B12 and provides high-quality protein that is rich in essential amino acids. During the cheese-making process, most of the lactose in cow's milk is converted into lactic acid, making cheddar a suitable option for individuals with lactose intolerance. Additionally, cheddar is naturally gluten-free, making it an essential source of nutrition for those with gluten sensitivity.
Chocolate, on the other hand, is loved for its delicious taste and mouthfeel. The star ingredient of chocolate, cacao, is loaded with beneficial compounds. Dark chocolate, in particular, contains powerful antioxidants, including a flavonol called epicatechin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and protects against cell damage caused by free radicals. Research has shown that consuming dark chocolate can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of clotting, and increase blood circulation to the heart, thereby lowering the risk of heart-related issues. It is important to note that dark chocolate contains caffeine, to which some individuals may be sensitive. Experts recommend minimally processed dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao content, consumed in moderation as an occasional treat.
In terms of flavour pairings, the sweetness of milk chocolate can balance the spiciness of certain cheddars, creating a harmonious combination of sweet and savoury. The tanginess of sharp cheddar can also pair well with the tartness of dark chocolate with raspberries, balancing any bitter notes.
Overall, both chocolate and cheddar cheese can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, offering a delightful sensory experience along with their respective health benefits.
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How chocolate and cheese are made
Chocolate and cheese are two very different foods that surprisingly complement each other well. Both foods have impressive health benefits. Chocolate, for example, is packed with antioxidant flavonoids and theobromine, while cheese is a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium.
Chocolate is made from the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), which grows within 20° north and south of the Equator. The process of making chocolate starts with harvesting cacao beans from the tree pods. The beans are then fermented using the "heap method" or a system of cascading boxes, depending on the region. After fermentation, the beans are dried, graded, packed, and shipped. The next steps involve roasting, winnowing, grinding, and moulding the beans into chocolate bars. To make different types of chocolate, various ingredients are added to the cocoa mass (or cocoa liquor). Dark chocolate, for instance, is made by combining cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and sugar, while milk chocolate includes milk powder. White chocolate, which some don't consider a true chocolate, is made with cocoa butter, sugar, and milk powder but no cocoa mass.
Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is typically made with raw or pasteurized milk. The milk is heated and then combined with a coagulant to form curds and whey. During the cheddaring phase, the curds are cut, stacked, and turned at specific intervals while being kept warm. This process helps drain the whey and develop the desired acidity level. Salt is added to the curds, and they are then pressed into cheese. The dryness and acidity levels are crucial to the final product, and over-fermentation can result in leaking, wet, and acidic cheese.
While the processes of making chocolate and cheese differ significantly, the combination of these two foods creates a delightful culinary experience. The sweetness of chocolate and the salty, savoury sharpness of cheddar cheese make for a surprisingly compatible flavour profile.
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Chocolate and cheese together in recipes
Chocolate and cheese are two delicious foods that can be combined to create a surprisingly compatible flavour combination. The process of making chocolate and cheese is similar, as both are fermented. Cacao seeds, for instance, must be fermented, dried, and roasted to produce the signature chocolate flavour. This is also true of the microbes in cheese, which are essential to the final flavour of the dairy curd.
There are many ways to combine chocolate and cheese in recipes. For instance, hot chocolate with cheese is a popular Ecuadorian pairing. A slice of camembert cheese can be added to a cup of hot chocolate, melting the cheese and allowing it to absorb the flavours of the cocoa. The resulting rich drink will have a cheesy surprise at the bottom, which can be scooped up with toasted bread. Another option is to add farmer's cheese to a cup of hot cocoa, a pairing that is popular in Ecuador.
French chef Michel Bras is famous for his dark chocolate and blue cheese dessert, coulant. The two foods share upward of 70 flavour compounds, and the fatty acids from the cheese cut through the bitterness of the dark chocolate while enhancing its deep vanilla undertones. This combination can be paired with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. A similar combination can be achieved with milk chocolate and aged Gouda, which has a firmer, crystalline texture. The milky sweetness of the chocolate and the bold roasty notes of the cheese produce a caramel-like flavour.
There are also various types of cheese and chocolate that can be paired together. For example, the sweetness of milk chocolate nicely mellows the spiciness of Habanero cheese, creating a pleasurable balance of sweet and savoury flavours. A bar of dark chocolate with raspberries can be paired with Seriously Sharp Cheddar, as the tangy flavour of the chocolate pairs perfectly with the sour, tangy flavour of the cheese. The bright raspberry flavour also helps to balance the slightly bitter notes of the cheddar.
Chocolate and cheese can also be combined with other foods to create tasty treats. For instance, Alpine-style cheeses, which are known for their nutty notes, can be paired with peanut butter truffles to amplify their nuttiness. A triple cream cheese can be combined with a truffle with sweet, orange notes, or with a ginger, turmeric, and black pepper truffle. Whiskey, which is naturally astringent, can be balanced by a boozy truffle and St. Agur, a creamy, cratered blue cheese that balances sweet cream and flint. The salt on the truffle binds the chocolate and cheese together.
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Types of chocolate and cheese that pair well
Chocolate and cheese are two delicious and complex foods that pair surprisingly well together. Both are fermented products, with the process of making them highlighting the importance of microbes and showing how intricate and artful food production can be. The best pairings depend on personal taste preferences, but here are some popular types of chocolate and cheese that go well together.
Mild and Creamy Cheeses
Mild and creamy cheeses such as Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, and Brie pair well with milk chocolate. The sweetness of milk chocolate matches well with the mildness of these cheeses, creating a harmonious combination. Milk chocolate infused with caramel or honey can further enhance the pairing.
Sharp Cheddar
Sharp Cheddar, especially aged varieties, can provide a lovely contrast to chocolate. Its rich and savory flavor can balance the sweetness of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate. The boldness of sharp cheddar goes hand-in-hand with the decadence of dark chocolate, creating a complex and satisfying combination.
Dense and Nutty Cheeses
Dense and nutty cheeses such as Comte, Gruyere, and Farmhouse Cheddar pair best with chocolate containing 75 to 85% cocoa. The signature nutty and roasted flavors of this type of chocolate complement the cheeses' nutty and crystalline textures.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheeses such as Stilton, St. Agur, and Fourme D'Ambert pair well with dark chocolate, specifically chocolate with 75 to 90% cocoa content. The earthy, minerally, and nutty notes in the chocolate complement the strong and tangy flavor of blue cheese.
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, with its creamy and tangy flavor, pairs well with dark chocolate infused with fruits like figs, cherries, or raspberries. The combination creates a delightful contrast between the creamy cheese and the fruity notes in the chocolate.
In addition to these suggestions, feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate and cheese to discover your own favorite pairings. Incorporating accompaniments such as fresh fruits, nuts, and caramel can also enhance the overall tasting experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Chocolate cheddar cheese is a combination of two distinct flavours, resulting in a culinary combo of sublime delight.
To make chocolate cheddar cheese, you can start with a base of handcrafted original cheddar, which is then ground to a creamy base and whipped into a rich, velvety cheese-based fudge.
Some good pairings with chocolate and cheddar include:
- Milk chocolate with mild cheddar
- Dark chocolate with sharp cheddar
- Smoked chocolate with Alpine cheddar
- Dark chocolate with nuts or tart fruit
- Milk chocolate with nuts and caramel
Chocolate and cheddar are both delicious and complex, and they are also good for your health. Chocolate is loaded with antioxidant flavonoids and theobromine, while cheddar is a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium.
