Cheese and honey can make for a delicious combination that tantalizes the taste buds.
While cheese and wine pairings are well-known, cheese and honey pairings are becoming increasingly popular. Honey can add a touch of sweetness to cheese, enhancing its flavor profile and creating a unique taste experience.
The key (as with all pairings) is to find the right balance between the sweetness of the honey and the flavor of the cheese.
In this article, we’ve got some tips on how to choose the right cheese and honey combinations, as well as suggestions for other ideas for enjoying these delicious foods together.
The Science of Pairing Cheese and Honey
Taste perception depends on taste molecules binding with taste receptors on the tongue.
Honey tastes sweet because it has lots of sugar, mainly glucose and fructose, which bind to sweet receptors.
Cheese tastes salty because of sodium ions that bind to salt receptors.
Combining sweet and salty tastes, like honey and cheese, can create a balanced and enjoyable flavor.
Cheese can have an acidic taste because of lactic acid formed during fermentation. The acidity in cheese can balance out the sweetness of honey by neutralizing it. Also, the acidity in cheese can enhance the overall flavor by activating taste receptors on the tongue.
The high fat content in cheese complements the sweetness of honey by coating the tongue and creating a balanced flavor.
Moreover, the fat content can enhance the cheese flavor, resulting in a more complex taste experience.
Overall, the science of pairing cheese and honey is a complex interplay of taste perception, acidity, and fat content.
| Aspect | Honey | Cheese | Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | High | Low to Moderate | Creates a balanced flavor |
| Saltiness | Low | High | Creates a balanced flavor |
| Acidity | Low | High | Neutralizes sweetness and enhances overall flavor |
| Fat content | Low | High | Complements sweetness and enhances cheese flavor |
| Taste perception | Sweet receptors | Salt receptors, acidity activation | Creates a complex taste experience |
Specific Cheese and Honey Pairings
Now that you’ve got an idea of how the science behind honey and cheese pairing can work, let’s take a look at some popular options that are not only delicious but also harmonious and balanced.
Soft Cheeses
Brie and Honey
To enhance the subtle taste of brie, it can be paired with the delightful sweetness of honey. For a young brie, it’s recommended to combine it with a gentle honey, such as acacia honey.
However, if you prefer a stronger flavor, pairing an aged brie with a darker honey like chestnut honey can be an excellent choice.
Camembert and Honey
The earthy and nutty flavor of Camembert is complemented by the sweetness of honey. Try pairing a young Camembert with a light honey like acacia honey. For a more intense flavor, pair an aged Camembert with a darker honey like buckwheat honey.
Semi-Hard Cheese
Gouda and Honey
Gouda, a semi-hard cheese, boasts a sweet and nutty flavor that beautifully complements honey. To enjoy a young Gouda, pairing it with a light honey like acacia honey is an excellent choice.
Alternatively, if you prefer a stronger flavor, pairing an aged Gouda with a darker honey like heather honey can be an ideal combination.
Manchego and Honey
Manchego, a cheese known for its firm texture and nutty flavor, can be paired perfectly with honey. For a gentle flavor, it is recommended to pair young Manchego with light honey such as lavender honey.
In contrast, if you desire a more robust flavor, try pairing aged Manchego with a darker honey like thyme honey.
Hard Cheese
Parmesan and Honey
Parmesan is a hard and nutty cheese that pairs well with honey. The sharp and salty flavor of parmesan is complemented by the sweetness of honey.
Try pairing a young parmesan with a light honey like orange blossom honey. For a more intense flavor, pair an aged parmesan with a darker honey like chestnut honey.
Blue Cheese
Blue Cheese and Honey
Blue cheese is known for its bold and tangy taste that creates a perfect contrast with the delicate sweetness of honey. If you’re feeling daring, try pairing a spicy blue cheese with a fruity honey such as orange blossom, which helps to balance out the saltiness.
Alternatively, if you prefer something milder, opt for a creamy blue cheese and a lighter honey such as lavender honey.
Roquefort and Honey
Roquefort cheese is renowned for its robust and bold taste, accompanied by a sharp and salty flavor. However, when combined with honey, the outcome is an exquisite balance of flavors.
For those who prefer their cheese with a bit of heat, a spicy Roquefort is best paired with a fruity honey like orange blossom. On the other hand, those who prefer a milder taste can opt for a creamy Roquefort, complemented with a light honey such as lavender.
Crumbly Cheese
Feta and Honey
Feta is a crumbly and tangy cheese that pairs well with honey. The salty and acidic flavor of feta is balanced out by the sweetness of honey.
Try pairing a mild feta with a light honey like clover honey. For a more intense flavor, pair an aged feta with a darker honey like forest honey.
Sharp Cheese
Cheddar and Honey
Cheddar cheese boasts a sharp and tangy taste that complements the natural sweetness of honey. The nutty and salty notes in cheddar create a perfect harmony with the saccharine taste of honey.
To experience a balanced flavor profile, consider pairing a mild cheddar with a light honey variant such as clover honey. On the other hand, for a more robust and intense taste, opt for an aged cheddar and pair it with a darker honey like eucalyptus honey.
| Cheese | Honey | Recommended Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Brie | Acacia, Chestnut | Youth: Acacia, Aged: Chestnut |
| Camembert | Acacia, Buckwheat | Youth: Acacia, Aged: Buckwheat |
| Gouda | Acacia, Heather | Youth: Acacia, Aged: Heather |
| Manchego | Lavender, Thyme | Youth: Lavender, Aged: Thyme |
| Parmesan | Orange Blossom, Chestnut | Youth: Orange Blossom, Aged: Chestnut |
| Blue Cheese | Orange Blossom, Lavender | Spicy: Orange Blossom, Creamy: Lavender |
| Roquefort | Orange Blossom, Lavender | Spicy: Orange Blossom, Creamy: Lavender |
| Feta | Clover, Forest | Mild: Clover, Aged: Forest |
| Cheddar | Clover, Eucalyptus | Mild: Clover, Aged: Eucalyptus |
Other Ways to Enjoy Cheese and Honey
Cheese and Honey Boards
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to enjoy cheese and honey is to create a cheese and honey board.
The key is to choose a variety of cheeses that pair well with honey, such as brie, camembert, gorgonzola, and blue cheese.
Add some honeycomb, fresh fruit, nuts, and crackers to the board for a complete experience.
Arrange everything in an aesthetically pleasing way and enjoy!
Honey-Glazed Cheese Appetizers
For a more elevated appetizer option, try making honey-glazed cheese apps like these, these or these (yum!).
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Cheese and Honey Board | Choose a variety of cheeses that pair well with honey and add honeycomb, fresh fruit, nuts, and crackers for a complete experience |
| Honey-Glazed Cheese Appetizers | Make honey-glazed cheese appetizers for a more elevated option |
No matter how you choose to enjoy cheese and honey, the key is to experiment and have fun with different flavor combinations.
Try different types of cheese, different types of honey, and different ways of serving them together. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless!
Hi, I’m Jenny. I have many interests and, some would say, eclectic passions. A few words that best describe me? Hmm, well… Amateur surfer, professional traveler, food lover and writer extraordinaire. Oh, and lover of all furry, four-legged creatures!
