Havarti's Perfect Pair: Cheeses To Compliment Its Creamy, Buttery Flavor

Havarti is a semi-soft, mild, sweet, and subtly nutty cheese that goes well with most foods, both sweet and savoury. Its rich-yet-mild buttery flavour and creamy texture make it a versatile ingredient that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is a great addition to a charcuterie board and can be paired with beer, wine, and sugary fruits like figs, raisins, and walnuts. It also goes well with hearty, rustic bread, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and light-bodied Pinot Noir wine. Havarti can be used as a snack or as an ingredient in complex dishes without being overpowered.

Havarti with honey

Havarti is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many different ways, but one combination that stands out is Havarti with honey. This pairing creates a delightful contrast between the mild, sweet, and subtly nutty flavour of the cheese and the golden, sticky sweetness of honey. Here are some ideas to elevate your next meal or snack with Havarti and honey:

Havarti and Honey on Crackers

Create a simple yet elegant appetiser by arranging Havarti slices on crackers. Drizzle honey over the cheese, adding a touch of sweetness to the savoury cracker. For an extra indulgent bite, use a floral honey variety and pair it with a thick, rustic grain cracker. This combination is perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying as a quick snack.

Havarti, Honey, and Fresh Fruit

Take your taste buds on an adventure by pairing Havarti with fresh fruits like apples, figs, or pears. The sweetness of the fruit complements the cheese, while the honey adds an extra layer of flavour. For a more complex bite, add some crushed walnuts to the mix, providing a sharper contrast to the sweetness. This combination is perfect for a refreshing and tasty snack.

Grilled Havarti with Honey

Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level by adding a touch of honey. The melted Havarti combines with the honey to create a sweet and savoury flavour explosion. For an extra indulgent treat, try using a sweet honey butter to grill the sandwich. This combination is perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Havarti, Honey, and Hearty Bread

Create a delicious open-faced sandwich by spreading honey on a slice of hearty, rustic bread and topping it with Havarti. The sweetness of the honey complements the mild, nutty flavour of the cheese, while the bread provides a satisfying crunch. For an extra indulgent touch, lightly toast the bread before adding the toppings. This combination is perfect for a quick lunch or snack.

Havarti, Honey, and Salty Capers

For a unique flavour combination, pair Havarti with honey and salty capers. The sweetness of the honey and the saltiness of the capers create a delightful contrast, enhancing the flavour of the cheese. Serve this combination on a whole-grain cracker for a tasty appetiser or snack.

Havarti with fruit

Havarti is a versatile cheese that pairs well with fruits, crackers, cured meats, and wine. Its rich-yet-mild buttery flavour and creamy texture make it a great addition to any cheeseboard. Here are some tips for enjoying Havarti with fruit:

Choosing the Right Havarti

Havarti is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Denmark. It has a smooth surface, a cream or yellow colour, and very small irregular "eyes" (holes). When choosing Havarti, look for versions made from organic or grass-fed milk, as these tend to have higher levels of beneficial nutrients.

Fruit Pairings

Havarti goes well with fresh fruits like apples, pears, and figs. The sweetness of the fruit complements the creamy, buttery flavour of the cheese. For a more complex flavour profile, try adding some crushed walnuts or drizzling honey over the cheese and fruit.

Serving Suggestions

When serving Havarti with fruit, slice the cheese into thin slices to show your guests that this is a fantastic way to enjoy it. You can also get creative and make Havarti and fruit appetizers, such as:

• Lingonberry and honey Havarti cheese bites: Slice Havarti into 1/4-inch thick slices. Spread each cracker with lingonberry jam and top with a slice of Havarti. Drizzle with honey and serve.
• Hummus, tahini, and Havarti appetizer: Slice Havarti into 1/4-inch thick slices. Spread each cracker with hummus and top with a slice of Havarti. Drizzle with tahini and serve.
• Sriracha, Havarti, and capers on whole wheat crisps: Slice Havarti into 1/4-inch thick slices. Press capers into the cracker or cheese, or spread mashed capers on the cracker. Top with a slice of Havarti, drizzle with sriracha, and serve.

Wine Pairings

To complete the perfect Havarti, fruit, and wine experience, pair your cheese and fruit with a glass of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or light-bodied Pinot Noir. The fruity flavours of these wines will complement the butteriness of the cheese.

Havarti with hummus

Havarti is a versatile, semi-soft Danish cow's milk cheese with a mild, buttery flavour and a creamy texture. It is a great match with sweet and savoury foods, making it a versatile ingredient.

One way to enjoy Havarti is with hummus. The creaminess of the cheese pairs well with the smoothness of hummus, and the two can be combined in several ways to make a delicious snack or meal.

One option is to make a grilled cheese sandwich with hummus and Havarti. For this sandwich, you can use original (plain) hummus and a variety of Havarti with a kick, such as red pepper Havarti, to provide a strong flavour. The sandwich can be made with onion dill rye bread, which has a strong flavour that complements the hummus and cheese.

Another option is to make a hummus and Havarti toast with roasted asparagus. This can be made by spreading hummus on a slice of bread, topping it with roasted asparagus, and then melting a slice of Havarti on top. This combination provides a crisp and soft texture contrast, and the asparagus adds a healthy and tasty element to the dish.

Havarti and hummus can also be combined to make a veggie sandwich. This sandwich includes hummus, pesto, and Havarti along with fresh vegetables such as arugula microgreens, tomato, cucumber, carrot, avocado, and red onion. The sandwich is served on a hearty, seedy bun, which adds texture and flavour to the combination of hummus and cheese.

These are just a few ways to enjoy the delicious combination of Havarti and hummus, showcasing the versatility of Havarti as an ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Havarti with meat

Havarti is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese with a rich, buttery texture and a mellow flavour. It's a very versatile cheese that goes well with most foods, both sweet and savoury. Its mild, sweet and subtly nutty flavour means it can take on bold flavour profiles.

Havarti, Black Forest Ham and Veggie Sandwich

Havarti goes well with hearty, loaded sandwiches without its flavour being overpowered. The light but smoky flavour of Black Forest ham matches Havarti's mellow but complex flavour particularly well. Add some tomatoes for freshness, pickles for texture and your favourite savory condiments.

Havarti-Stuffed Ham Croquettes

Cut Havarti into thick sticks and wrap your favourite ham around them. Toss in flour, then beaten egg, and finally panko. Deep-fry or fry in a pan with a generous amount of oil, turning constantly to cover all sides.

Roast Beef and Havarti Sandwich

A popular combination, this sandwich can be enhanced with the addition of honeycrisp apple slices, baby spinach, mustard and a drizzle of honey.

Havarti Bacon Turkey Burgers

Melted cheese is a must for any burger, and Havarti is a great choice. Fry the patty, then put a slice of Havarti on top to melt. Add your favourite veggies, the cheese-covered patty, a fried egg and smush down the top bun so the egg yolk acts as a sauce.

Spinach, Bacon and Havarti Strata

This is a breakfast dish that combines spinach, bacon and Havarti.

Havarti with other cheeses

Havarti is a semi-soft, mild, sweet, and subtly nutty cheese from Denmark. Its rich-yet-mild buttery flavour and creamy texture make it a versatile cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It goes well with both sweet and savoury dishes, making it a great addition to a charcuterie board or grilled cheese sandwich.

When it comes to pairing Havarti with other cheeses, there are several options that complement its flavour and texture. Here are some ideas:

Provolone

Blending Havarti with provolone adds extra nutty undertones while maintaining a smooth and melty texture. This combination works well in dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches, paninis, or mac and cheese.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a classic cheese that can be sharp or mild, depending on its age. When paired with Havarti, it adds a strong flavour contrast. Try blending Havarti and cheddar in a grilled cheese sandwich or using them together in a cheese board.

Gouda

Gouda is another semi-soft cheese that pairs well with Havarti. It has a similar buttery texture and mild flavour, making it a good match for melted dishes or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Parmesan

Parmesan is a hard cheese with a strong, savoury flavour. Adding a small amount of grated Parmesan to a dish featuring Havarti can enhance its savoury notes and add a crunchy texture. Try this combination in pasta dishes or sprinkled over a Havarti-topped pizza.

Manchego

Manchego is a Spanish sheep's milk cheese with a complex, nutty flavour. Adding Manchego to Havarti can create a more intense flavour profile, perfect for dishes like stuffed peppers or cheese boards.

Cream Cheese

For a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet combination, pair Havarti with cream cheese. They work well together in desserts, such as cheesecakes, or in savoury dishes like stuffed mushrooms or dips.

Frequently asked questions