Beyond Wine: Unexpected Pairings for Cheese Lovers

A guide to surprising cheese pairings that prove great cheese deserves more than just a glass of wine.

The combination of wine and cheese has been a romantic one, almost like a fairy tale, that has been going on for years. The combination is timeless, sophisticated and undeniably scrumptious. But what if we said that some of the most interesting pairings don’t involve wine at all?

The gourmet food world is constantly evolving. Home hosts are getting more creative, cheese connoisseurs are going beyond their usual cheese pairings and today's modern dining has ample room for creativity. In today's world, the most unforgettable cheese moments come with unexpected companions such as coffee, beer, honey, chocolate, fresh fruit, cold cuts, and even frozen berries.

At Foodsmith, we've always believed that good food is about discovery. So if you're looking for something beyond the classic wine and cheese board, here are some surprisingly brilliant cheese pairings that will be a great addition to your table. 

Why Pairings Matter?

The best pairing is not when one ingredient overpowers the other. It's about balance.

A refreshing and crisp option can help balance out the creamy richness of Brie. When paired with sweetness, the salty crystals of Parmesan can take on even more layers of complexity. A nutty Gouda enjoyed with the right drink can reveal new flavors.

The magic lies in contrast.

A sweet and salty flavor, creamy and crunchy combination, or bold and delicate pairings, often make for a greater result.

Coffee & Cheese: The Pairing Nobody Talks About

First, let's begin with one of the lesser known gourmet pairings.

Coffee and cheese.

Initially, this sounds quite an odd pairing but, in Scandinavia and in various parts of Europe, coffee and cheese have long been paired together.

Iced Americano + Brie

Brie is buttery, creamy and mellow. An iced Americano with its clean finish really cuts through the richness, yielding a refreshing pairing for a hot afternoon.

Perfect for:

• Summer brunches

• Afternoon entertaining

• Light grazing boards

Cold Brew + Gouda

There's nothing quite as rewarding as the intense caramel flavour of cold brew coffee alongside Gouda. The coffee emphasizes gouda's sweet, nutty taste while the gouda mellows the coffee's bitterness.

It's like coffee and biscuits, but in the gourmet style.

Beer & Cheese: A Match Made in Heaven

The aroma of fresh beer and the taste of freshly baked cheese are a perfect match. Though many people associate wine with cheese, many cheese aficionados will say that beer is one of the simplest drinks to match with cheese.

The carbonation refreshes the mouth with each bite, ensuring that every bite feels fresh.

Wheat Beer + Brie

Brie complements the light, citrusy wheat beer beautifully. The outcome is bright, relaxed and perfect for warm weather entertaining.

Lager + Gouda

A crisp lager and Gouda provides a contrast of freshness and richness. Easy, entertaining and ideal for a casual summer gathering, it’s a crowd pleaser.

Craft Beer + Parmesan

Parmesan’s savoury character shines to the best effect when paired with fuller bodied beers. Serve with crackers and enjoy as it simply vanishes.

Honey: Cheese's Best Friend

You are definitely missing one of life's simplest pleasures, if you've never drizzled honey over cheese. The natural sweetness brings out extraordinary flavour by softening sharp edges and balancing saltiness. 

Brie + Honey

A classic for good reason. The honey accentuates the buttery flavor of Brie, creating a luxurious dessert like bite.

Blue Cheese + Honey

For some, the bold blue cheese can be intimidating. Drizzle in a little honey, and it's suddenly not only approachable and balanced, it's irresistible!

Parmesan + Acacia Honey

One of the finest combinations you can pair is salty, crystalline Parmesan cheese with delicate honey.

Fresh Fruit: Summer's Secret Weapon

For summer entertaining, the key is to use ingredients that are vibrant and refreshing.

Fresh fruit does just that.

Burrata + Strawberries

The sweet strawberries and creamy Burrata paired with a drizzle of olive oil is a taste of summer on a plate. It’s simple, elegant and memorable.

Brie + Grapes

This classic pairing continues to remain popular. The sweet and juicy grapes add freshness and tanginess rich hearty cheese.

Gouda + Pears

Ripe pears add a sweetness to the caramel-like flavor of Gouda. Ideal for elegant cheese boards.

Frozen Berries & Cheese

Frozen fruit is one of the most exciting modern gourmet trends.

Frozen blueberries and frozen strawberries are super convenient in addition to being a delicious pairing to enjoy with cheese.

Scatter thawed berries around:

• Burrata boards

• Brie platters

• Goat cheese salads

The sweetness adds a zing to every bite.

Cha Cha Cha Charcuterie: Beyond the Cheese Board

Charcuterie board’s thoughtfully curated array is a blend of texture, richness, and complexity.

Let’s check out some of our favourite combinations: 

Prosciutto + Burrata

The creamy Burrata wrapped with the silky Prosciutto is the perfect balance of richness and salt.

Salami Milano + Gouda

Salami Milano savoury flavour pairs well with Gouda's nutty sweetness.

Mortadella + Brie

For an indulgent and elegant pairing choose soft Mortadella and buttery Brie. Add some olives, sundried tomatoes and crackers and your board is ready.

Chocolate & Cheese: The Unexpected Showstopper

This might be one of the most eclectic pairings of all times. Dark chocolate and cheese have many common flavour compounds.

Dark Chocolate + Blue Cheese

Bold. Unexpected. Completely unforgettable. Use this combo to assemble a modern gourmet board.

Dark Chocolate + Gouda

High quality dark chocolate with nutty, caramelised Gouda gives remarkable depth.

Dark Chocolate + Blue Cheese

Bold, unexpected and completely unforgettable. Serve at your next dinner party table and get the conversation going.

Building a Modern Gourmet Board

Looking to impress guests?

Consider a board that consists of:

• Brie

• Gouda

• Burrata

• Parmesan

• Prosciutto

• Salami Milano

• Mortadella

• Fresh strawberries

• Frozen blueberries

• Honey

• Crackers

• Sourdough

• Olives

• Sundried tomatoes

The overall feel is rich and abundant without being overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

The world of cheese pairings extends beyond wine. The joy lies in experimenting, be it cold brew and Gouda, Burrata and strawberries, honey and Brie, or Parmesan with craft beer.

Because great cheese is something you experience.

And sometimes, the most unforgettable experiences begin when you step out of your comfort zone.

FAQs

What pairs well with cheese besides wine?

Cheese is a great accompaniment to coffee, beer, honey, fresh fruit, dark chocolate, charcuterie, olives, and artisan bread.

What cheese goes best with coffee?

Brie, Gouda and Parmesan are a few great cheeses that go well with coffee, particularly cold brew and iced coffee.

What is the best summer cheese pairing?

Some excellent summer cheese pairings are burrata with strawberries, brie with grapes, and gouda with pears.

Does beer pair well with cheese?

Yes. Beer's carbonation invigorates the flavor and complements a wide variety of cheeses, including Gouda, Brie, and Parmesan.

How do I build a gourmet cheese board?

Arrange a variety of soft and hard cheeses, charcuterie, fruit, crackers, honey, olives, and bread for a balanced and visually appealing board.

Foodsmith Tip: The perfect cheese combinations are often serendipitous. Open your fridge, go with your impulse and try out unlikely flavour combinations. Today’s unexpected mix, could be tomorrow’s favourite tradition!

 

Written by Simran Salwan