Cheese And Pear: Perfect Pairing Ideas For Your Palate

Pears and cheese are a classic combination, with endless varieties of each to choose from. The flavour, scent, and texture of different pear varieties can complement a wide range of cheeses, and vice versa. The possibilities are endless, from decadent sandwiches like a melty cheddar and pear panini to refreshing salads like a pear and gorgonzola cheese salad.

Blue cheese with Bosc pears

Pears and cheese are a classic combination, and there are many varieties of each to choose from. The crisp, dense, slightly grainy texture, sweet flavour, and subtle hints of fall spices in Bosc pears make them a popular choice for desserts, and they work well with a wide range of cheeses.

Bosc pears are commonly paired with blue cheese, and this combination can be used in a variety of ways. One option is to create a salad with blue cheese, walnuts, and Bosc pears. The walnuts will add a crunchy texture to the soft pear and creamy cheese. You could also try stuffing the pears with blue cheese and roasting them, or serving them raw with blue cheese as part of a cheeseboard.

If you want to try something different, you could substitute the blue cheese with another variety. Hard cheeses like aged cheddar, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, would work well with the dense flesh and sweet, spicy-sweet flavour of Bosc pears.

Brie with Bartlett pears

Bartlett pears have a classic pear flavour and fragrance. They are sweet, buttery, musky, and a little herbaceous. This type of pear is delicious cooked or fresh and makes a wonderful addition to salads.

When it comes to cheese, there are a variety of options that pair well with Bartlett pears. Here are some suggestions:

• Mascarpone: This Italian cheese is a fresh, spreadable triple-crème cheese made from cow's milk. Its smooth, buttery texture and subtle, delicate flavour complement the juicy, aromatic Bartlett pear.
• Gouda: This Dutch cheese is made from cow's milk and can be aged anywhere from four months to two years. Younger Gouda has a mild, nutty flavour, while aged Gouda takes on hints of honey, caramel, spice, and butterscotch. Its mild flavour and firm texture play well off the sweetness of the Bartlett pear.
• Feta: Feta is a salty, brined cheese that pairs well with the sweetness of Bartlett pears. It adds a savoury note to the combination.
• Halloumi: Halloumi is another salty, brined cheese that can be paired with Bartlett pears. Its firm texture and salty flavour create an interesting contrast with the sweet, juicy pear.

Now, let's focus on the specific pairing of Brie with Bartlett pears:

Brie is a soft-ripened cheese made from cow's milk and is one of France's most famous cheeses. It has a creamy ivory interior and a beige-white edible rind. Its rich, earthy, and nutty flavours enhance the sweetness of the Bartlett pear, while its creaminess pleasantly contrasts with the pear's firmness.

When creating a cheese board or appetizer with Brie and Bartlett pears, consider adding some accompaniments to enhance the flavours and textures. Here are some suggestions:

• Nuts: Toasted walnuts, roasted hazelnuts, or other nuts can add a crunchy texture and complement the flavours of the Brie and Bartlett pears.
• Fruits: Try adding some fresh herbs, edible flowers, or other fruits such as apples or berries to the plate. The sweetness of the Bartlett pear will be accentuated by the addition of other fresh flavours.
• Bread: A walnut levain or other types of bread can provide a crunchy texture and a neutral base to showcase the flavours of the cheese and pear.
• Honey: A drizzle of honey, such as acacia honey, can add a touch of sweetness and complexity to the pairing.

When serving Brie with Bartlett pears, consider the following tips:

• Ripeness: Ensure that the Bartlett pears are ripe before serving. Ripe pears will be sweet and juicy, enhancing their flavour and texture when paired with the Brie.
• Temperature: Brie is best served at room temperature to allow its creamy texture and flavours to shine.
• Presentation: For a visually appealing presentation, slice the Bartlett pears lengthwise and arrange them on a plate or board with the Brie. This way, your guests can easily enjoy the flavours and textures of both the cheese and the fruit.

By following these suggestions, you can create a delicious and elegant pairing of Brie with Bartlett pears, showcasing the classic combination of sweet, juicy pears and creamy, nutty cheese.

Goat's cheese with D'Anjou pears

D'Anjou pears are sweet and juicy with a brisk lemony citrus flavour and a hint of spice. They are also known as Anjou or winter pears. When it comes to cheese, you'll want to choose something that won't overpower their flavour.

A great option is Chèvre goat's cheese, especially younger ones, which are milder in flavour. The tanginess of the goat's cheese pairs well with the sweetness of the pear. You can also try baking the pears to bring out their natural sweetness, then topping them with goat's cheese, honey, and pecans for a delicious snack or appetizer.

For a more substantial meal, try an arugula salad with D'Anjou pears, goat's cheese, walnuts, and red onion. The peppery taste of the arugula, along with the crunch of the walnuts, creates a beautiful combination of flavours and textures.

Mascarpone with Bartlett pears

Mascarpone is a fresh, spreadable, triple-crème cheese from Italy, made from cow's milk cream. It is one of the richest cheeses, with a smooth, buttery texture and a subtle, delicate flavour. Its rich yet neutral flavour and creamy texture make it a perfect match for Bartlett pears, as it places all the focus on the pear while adding a rich texture.

Bartlett pears have a classic pear flavour and fragrance – they are sweet, buttery, musky, and a little herbaceous. They are also juicy, with a buttery texture. This makes them delicious when cooked or served fresh, and they work well in salads or desserts.

When combining Bartlett pears and mascarpone, you could try poaching the pears in red wine and filling them with the cheese. To do this, peel six firm Bartlett pears and leave the stems intact. In a large saucepan, bring wine and an equal amount of cold water to a simmer. Split a vanilla bean lengthwise and add it to the wine and water mixture, along with cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and sugar to taste. Add the pears and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Cool the pears in the wine mixture, then refrigerate until you're ready to fill them. Remove the stems and cores, and pipe in the whisked mascarpone cheese mixture. Finish by returning the stems to the top of the pears.

Alternatively, you could try a brown butter glazed pear and mascarpone tart. To make this, prepare a chocolate tart dough and chill it. While the dough is chilling, peel, core, and segment ten Bartlett pears, and cook them in a mixture of butter, vanilla, brown sugar, brandy, lemon juice, and salt. In a separate bowl, whip mascarpone, heavy cream, icing sugar, and a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Spread the mascarpone cream into the prepared tart shell, and top with the pears.

Bartlett pears and mascarpone can also be paired with Brut Champagne.

Cheddar with Comice pears

Comice pears are sweet and juicy, with a soft flesh and a silky finish. They are one of the sweetest and juiciest varieties of pear, and while the flavour is relatively mild, it pairs wonderfully with a wide range of cheeses.

One cheese that goes particularly well with Comice pears is cheddar. Cheddar is a hard cheese that originated in England and is usually made from whole cow's milk. As cheddar ages, its texture becomes more crumbly and granular, and its rich, nutty flavour sharpens and becomes more complex, taking on nuances of nuts, apples and hay. The sweet and juicy flesh of the Comice pear provides a nice contrast to the dryness and sharpness of the cheddar.

For a specific type of cheddar, try Vermont Sharp Cheddar with Comice pears. This cheese is smooth and buttery with a sharp yet subtle tang. The sharpness of the cheddar will complement the sweetness of the pear, while the buttery texture of the cheese will enhance the silky finish of the pear.

For a more crumbly texture, opt for an aged cheddar. This variety will have a tangier, more complex flavour that will provide an interesting contrast to the mildness of the Comice pear. The aged cheddar will also have a firmer texture, which will play off the softness of the pear.

When creating a cheeseboard with Comice pears and cheddar, consider adding some crackers or crostini, as well as Marcona almonds or toasted walnuts for extra crunch. You could also add some charcuterie items such as prosciutto, salami, or summer sausage. And don't forget the wine! A glass of Marsala, Sauternes, or Ruby Port would pair well with the cheddar and Comice pear combination.

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