Frederic Melton
Blue cheese and chocolate are a match made in heaven. Both are delicious, complex, and nuanced, and both are fermented products, with microbes playing a crucial role in their unique flavours. The right pairing of blue cheese and chocolate can create a bold and unique combination, with the pungent and salty notes of the blue cheese contrasting beautifully with the sweetness of the chocolate. The key to a successful pairing is to match the intensity of the cheese and chocolate, creating a balance where neither overpowers the other.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese texture | Creamy and soft |
| Chocolate texture | Smooth |
| Cheese flavour | Pungent, salty, bold, nutty, tangy, earthy |
| Chocolate flavour | Sweet |
| Type of cheese | Blue cheese, goat cheese, Parmesan, St. Agur, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Camembert |
| Type of chocolate | Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, ruby couverture, truffles |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese's pungency and saltiness complement chocolate's sweetness
- The contrasting textures of soft blue cheese and brittle chocolate bark create an exciting combination
- Blue cheese and chocolate are both fermented foods with complex, nuanced flavours
- Blue cheese and chocolate are both strong flavours, so neither will overpower the other
- Blue cheese and chocolate have complementary flavours, such as the buttery notes in caramel and truffle cheeses
Blue cheese's pungency and saltiness complement chocolate's sweetness
Blue cheese is known for its bold, pungent notes and salty, savoury flavour. When paired with chocolate, the sharpness of the cheese is beautifully contrasted by the sweetness of the chocolate. The sweetness of the chocolate balances the saltiness of the blue cheese, creating a unique and delightful combination.
Blue cheese, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton, has distinct blue veins and a strong flavour profile. The saltiness and pungency of these cheeses can be toned down by the sweetness of the chocolate, creating a harmonious pairing. The key is to find a balance between the intensity of the blue cheese and the sweetness of the chocolate.
When it comes to specific pairings, a creamy, cratered blue cheese like St. Agur pairs well with sea salt caramels or truffles. The sweetness of the caramel or truffle complements the saltiness of the blue cheese, creating a delicious contrast. Another option is to pair blue cheese with extra dark chocolate (70% or higher). The bold flavour of the extra dark chocolate can stand up to the strong taste of blue cheese, resulting in a well-balanced combination.
Additionally, the texture of the blue cheese and chocolate plays a significant role in the pairing. Soft, spreadable, or creamy blue cheeses tend to go well with solid or smoother chocolates. On the other hand, harder or aged blue cheeses can be paired with darker, more intense chocolates or even chocolate fondue. Experimentation is encouraged to find the perfect balance of flavours and textures that appeal to individual taste preferences.
When creating a charcuterie board with blue cheese and chocolate pairings, consider adding complementary items such as salami rosettes, fruits, crackers, and sweets. The visual appeal of the spread is also important, so aim for contrasting colours and textures to create a refreshing and inviting presentation. With a variety of options to choose from, guests can explore the wonderful flavour combinations of blue cheese and chocolate.
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The contrasting textures of soft blue cheese and brittle chocolate bark create an exciting combination
Blue cheese, with its distinct blue veins, offers a bold and pungent flavour profile. The saltiness and savouriness of blue cheese create a unique pairing with chocolate, as the sweetness of the latter beautifully balances the salty, sharp notes of the cheese. The brittle texture of chocolate bark further enhances this pairing, providing a textural contrast that keeps the combination interesting and exciting.
Chocolate bark, with its thin, crisp texture, adds a playful snap to each bite, contrasting the soft, yielding mouthfeel of blue cheese. This textural contrast not only engages the senses but also ensures that neither the cheese nor the chocolate overpowers the other in terms of flavour or mouthfeel. The brittle bark, with its higher surface area, also allows for a greater release of the chocolate's flavour, ensuring a delightful sensory experience.
Additionally, the process of making chocolate and cheese share similarities, including fermentation, which plays a crucial role in developing their unique flavours. The transformation of cacao seeds into chocolate, influenced by microbes, highlights the importance of fermentation in creating chocolate's memorable taste. Similarly, the microbes present in the dairy curd are essential to the final flavour of the cheese, contributing to the complex flavours that make the blue cheese and chocolate pairing so intriguing.
When creating this pairing, it is essential to consider the varying densities and fat content of the blue cheese and chocolate bark. Opting for a creamy, heavy blue cheese, such as a soft, spreadable variety, can be well-complemented by a crisp, lighter chocolate bark to prevent flavour overlap and create a balanced pairing. Ultimately, personal taste preferences will guide the specific choices, and experimentation is encouraged to discover your favourite combination.
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Blue cheese and chocolate are both fermented foods with complex, nuanced flavours
The fermentation process and the presence of microbes are crucial in developing the unique flavours of both chocolate and blue cheese. The microbes present on cacao seeds are essential to fermentation, just as specific microbes contribute to the final flavour of the cheese curd. This process highlights the importance of microbial activity in creating complex and nuanced flavours in both foods.
When pairing blue cheese and chocolate, it is essential to consider the intensity and complementary flavours of both. Blue cheese, known for its bold and pungent notes, pairs exceptionally well with dark chocolate. The higher the cocoa percentage in dark chocolate, the better it can stand up to the strong flavour of blue cheese. Extra dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content is often recommended to match the intensity of blue cheese.
Additionally, the saltiness and savoury (umami) notes in blue cheese can create a beautiful contrast with the sweetness of chocolate. The pungent and salty characteristics of blue cheese varieties, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or St. Agur, are balanced and enhanced when paired with high-quality dark chocolate. This combination showcases how the interplay of contrasting flavours can create a unique and delightful sensory experience.
When creating a blue cheese and chocolate pairing, it is recommended to experiment with different combinations to discover personal preferences. The "'like with like' pairing concept suggests matching the strengths and flavour profiles of the cheese and chocolate. For example, the bold and pungent blue cheese can be matched with the intensity of dark chocolate, creating a harmonious flavour combination that highlights the complexity of both foods.
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Blue cheese and chocolate are both strong flavours, so neither will overpower the other
When it comes to food pairings, blue cheese and chocolate might not be the first combination that comes to mind. However, both are strong flavours that can complement each other without either one overpowering the other.
Blue cheese, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton, has distinct blue veins and bold, pungent notes. It is known for its salty and savoury (umami) flavour profile. On the other hand, dark chocolate, with its intense flavour, can stand up to the boldness of blue cheese. The higher the cocoa percentage in the chocolate, the better it will be able to balance the strong flavour of the blue cheese. Dark chocolate with almonds or other nutty flavours pairs especially well with blue cheese. The sweetness of the chocolate also helps to temper the saltiness of the blue cheese, creating a unique and delightful contrast.
The general rule for food pairings is to match "like with like", meaning that you should combine ingredients of similar strengths and flavour profiles. In the case of blue cheese and dark chocolate, both have robust and complex flavours that can hold their own when paired together. The saltiness and savouriness of the blue cheese are complemented by the sweetness and richness of the dark chocolate, resulting in a well-balanced duo.
Additionally, the texture of blue cheese and chocolate plays a role in their pairing. Blue cheese tends to be creamy and soft, which goes well with the smoothness of melted chocolate or the crispness of chocolate bark. The contrast between the soft cheese and the solid chocolate creates an exciting sensory experience.
While the combination of blue cheese and chocolate may seem unusual, the strength of their flavours and the balance they achieve when paired make them a surprisingly harmonious match.
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Blue cheese and chocolate have complementary flavours, such as the buttery notes in caramel and truffle cheeses
The pairing of blue cheese and chocolate is a match made in heaven, and this is largely due to their complementary flavours. Blue cheese and chocolate offer a unique combination of sweet and savoury, with the buttery notes in caramel and truffle cheeses pairing exceptionally well with the buttery flavours in chocolate.
Blue cheese, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton, is known for its bold, pungent, and salty notes. These strong flavours are beautifully contrasted by the sweetness of chocolate, particularly when paired with high-quality dark chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the better it can stand up to the stinkiness of blue cheese.
The saltiness of blue cheese, such as St. Agur, can also be balanced by the sweetness of sea salt caramels. The creamy texture of the cheese and the buttery notes of caramel create a harmonious pairing with the buttery flavours of chocolate truffles. This combination showcases how the right balance of sweet and savoury can elevate the tasting experience.
Additionally, the varying densities of blue cheese and chocolate play a crucial role in their pairing. A creamy, heavy blue cheese can be matched with a crisp, lighter chocolate to prevent flavour overlap and create a well-rounded sensory experience. The smooth, velvety texture of chocolate truffles, for instance, complements the soft, creamy nature of blue cheese.
The versatility of blue cheese and chocolate allows for endless experimentation to find your favourite combinations. Whether it's the boldness of extra dark chocolate with blue cheese or the sweetness of milk chocolate with a milder blue cheese variety, the complementary flavours of these two indulgent treats are sure to delight your taste buds.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese and chocolate create a bold and unique pairing. The pungent and salty flavour of the blue cheese contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the chocolate. The stinkier the cheese, the darker the chocolate should be.
Blue cheese pairs well with dark chocolate truffles, ginger chocolate, and extra dark chocolate (70% or higher). Some blue cheese types that go well with chocolate include St. Agur, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton.
It is important to pay attention to the texture of the blue cheese. Generally, softer blue cheeses go well with smoother chocolates, while harder and aged blue cheeses pair better with darker and more intense chocolates.
