Cheese And Grape Pairing: Finding The Perfect Match

Grapes and cheese are a popular combination, often served together as an appetizer or snack. While some cheesemongers advise against eating cheese with grapes, arguing that the tannins in the fruit can make the cheese taste bitter, many people enjoy the pairing. The sweetness of grapes is said to complement the salty savouriness of cheese, and different types of grapes may pair well with different varieties of cheese.

Red grapes and blue cheese

Red grapes are crisp, sweet, and have a mild, neutral flavour. Blue cheese, on the other hand, is tangy and strong. The combination of these two ingredients creates a beautiful balance, with the sweetness of the grapes toning down the sharpness of the blue cheese.

When it comes to cheese, blue cheese is considered a rich and strong-flavoured option. As such, it pairs well with red grapes, particularly the seedless variety, as their crispness and mild flavour provide a refreshing contrast to the robust taste of blue cheese.

One delightful way to enjoy red grapes and blue cheese is in a salad. A simple recipe involves mixing together red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, mustard, pepper, salt, and oil to create a dressing. Red onions are soaked in this dressing and then combined with mixed greens and halved red grapes. The salad is then topped with crumbled blue cheese, creating a delicious blend of sweet and tangy flavours.

For a more indulgent treat, consider making blue cheese grapes. This appetiser is simple to prepare: combine softened cream cheese, blue cheese, and milk or heavy cream, and coat the grapes with this mixture. Then, roll the coated grapes in a mixture of chopped walnuts and fresh parsley. This combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures is sure to impress.

If you're looking for a quick snack, simply pairing whole red grapes with slices of blue cheese can be a delicious option. The natural sweetness of the grapes will balance the sharpness of the blue cheese, creating a harmonious flavour profile.

Green grapes and creamy cheese

When it comes to choosing a creamy cheese to pair with green grapes, there are several options to consider. One option is a soft, creamy cheese such as a Camembert or Brie. For example, Green Hill Camembert, Sweet Grass Dairy from Georgia, or Saint Andre Triple Cream Brie from France are great choices. These cheeses have a rich, creamy texture that will balance the crispness of the grapes.

Another option is to choose a goat cheese, such as Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese from California. Goat cheese has a tangy, creamy flavour that will enhance the sweetness of the grapes. It also has a unique, crumbly texture that will provide an interesting contrast to the smoothness of the grapes.

In addition, you could consider a creamier variety of cheddar cheese. While cheddar is typically known for its sharper, more pungent flavours, there are some milder options that would pair well with green grapes. For instance, a 1-year-aged cheddar, such as Black River Cheese, has a subtle sweet and sour flavour that can complement the taste of green grapes.

When creating a cheese and grape platter, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. Green grapes, with their crisp bite and refreshing taste, pair exceptionally well with creamy cheeses that offer a smooth, rich mouthfeel. This combination is not only delicious but also provides a beautiful contrast of colours on the plate.

To elevate your cheese and grape pairing, consider adding complementary ingredients. For a touch of crunch, you could include some toasted nuts, such as almonds or pecans. Fresh or dried fruit, such as berries or apricots, can also enhance the sweetness of the grapes. Moreover, a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of fresh herbs can add depth of flavour and a touch of elegance to your dish.

Black grapes and strong-flavoured cheese

When creating a cheese platter, it's recommended to pair black grapes with red or blue cheeses. Some specific cheese suggestions include Point Reyes Blue from California, Saint Agur from France, or for a more adventurous option, Manchego. These cheeses, with their bold and pungent flavours, can stand up to the sweetness of black grapes, creating a delightful flavour combination.

However, it's important to note that not everyone agrees that grapes and cheese are a perfect match. Some cheesemongers and fromagers advise against this pairing due to the presence of tannins in grape skins, seeds, and stems. Tannins are astringent compounds that can affect the flavour of the cheese, sometimes making it taste bitter. This effect is more noticeable when grapes are paired with washed rind or bloomy rind cheeses and less so with hard cheeses.

To determine if grapes are affecting the flavour of your cheese, it is suggested to first taste the cheese on its own and then start eating the grapes and cheese together to compare. While grapes may not always enhance the flavour of the cheese, they can still be a refreshing and tasty addition to a cheese plate, especially when different varieties of grapes are paired with unique cheeses.

So, if you're feeling adventurous and want to explore the combination of black grapes and strong-flavoured cheese, go for it! You may discover a new favourite appetiser or snack that your guests will rave about.

Grapes and cheese: a myth?

Grapes and cheese are a popular combination, often served together as an appetizer or snack. But is it a match made in heaven, or are there better pairings out there?

The science behind the pairing

The sweetness of grapes and the saltiness of cheese create a sweet and salty contrast, which is why the two are often served together. The acidity of grapes also helps to balance the richness of cheese. However, some people argue that grapes and cheese do not go well together. They claim that the tannins in grape skins, seeds, and stems can affect the flavour of the cheese, making it taste bitter. This is more likely to happen when grapes are paired with softer cheeses.

Different types of grapes

The type of grape you choose can also make a difference. Red seedless grapes, for example, are crisp and sweet with a mild, neutral flavour. They pair well with rich cheeses that contain tiny crystals. Green seedless grapes, on the other hand, are crunchy and mild with a slightly tart flavour. These grapes tend to go better with soft, creamier cheeses. Black seedless grapes are juicy and sweet, and they pair perfectly with rich, strong-flavoured cheeses.

Alternative cheese pairings

If you're not convinced that grapes and cheese are a match made in heaven, there are plenty of other fruits that pair well with cheese. Figs, dates, apples, melons, and pears are all good choices. Dried fruit, such as dried figs, dates, cherries, and apricots, is also a great option to pair with cheese. When it comes to specific types of cheese, Edam, a mild and buttery cousin of Gouda, goes well with both sweet and tart fruits, especially red grapes. Havarti, a smooth and buttery cheese, pairs best with sweeter fruits like pears or honey crisp apples. Munster, a mild cheese with an edible orange rind, goes well with grapes and sweet apples.

Other fruits to pair with cheese

When it comes to grapes and cheese, green seedless grapes pair well with soft, creamy cheeses, while red seedless grapes are best with harder cheeses that have a more pronounced flavour. Black seedless grapes, on the other hand, are a perfect match for rich, strong-flavoured cheeses.

Apples

The crispness of apples complements the sharpness of Cheddar cheese, with Granny Smith apples being a particularly good match. For a blue cheese and apple combination, try a Blue Cheese & Apple Burger, using British Stichelton, a super-creamy and mellow blue cheese. For a pie, salty Lancashire cheese pairs well with sweet apples, such as Royal Gala, Golden Russet, or Cox. Other apple pairings include Jarlsberg, Asiago, Edam, Gruyere, and Manchego.

Pears

The sweet and slightly grainy texture of pears goes well with creamy and pungent Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese. Pears also pair well with Brie, Camembert, Manchego, Pecorino Romano, and Stilton.

Plums

Plums pair well with hard cheeses such as Jarlsberg and Asiago. Plums are also a good match for the rich and creamy texture of Brie.

Blackberries

Blackberries are a good match for Cotija or Aged Cheddar.

Cranberries

The sweetness of cranberries is enhanced by creamy and tangy Mozzarella or Manchego.

Raspberries

Tangy and creamy grilled Muenster or Baby Swiss Cheese is a good pairing for raspberries.

Figs

Figs and Blue Cheese is a classic combination. The creamy, rich, and pungent flavour of blue cheese complements the sweet, jammy, and earthy taste of figs. Figs also pair well with Smoked Gouda.

Peaches

The smooth, buttery, and nutty flavour of aged Gouda complements the juicy, sweet, and fragrant nature of peaches. Grilled peaches are fantastic with salty Halloumi or Burrata.

Apricots

The sweetness and delicate flavour of fresh or dried apricots are enhanced by creamy and tangy Goat Cheese.

Strawberries

The sweetness of ripe strawberries balances well with the mild and creamy nature of Ricotta cheese.

Cherries

The nutty and slightly sharp flavour of Asiago cheese contrasts nicely with the sweet and tart taste of cherries.

Blueberries

The tartness of blueberries pairs nicely with the salty and tangy taste of Feta cheese.

Pineapple

Pineapple is tricky to pair with cheese, but the mild and buttery Monterey Jack can be a good match, allowing the tropical flavour of the pineapple to shine.

Watermelon

The refreshing and juicy nature of watermelon pairs well with the salty and slightly squeaky texture of grilled Halloumi. Watermelon also pairs well with Feta.

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