Exploring the Art of Pairing Chocolate with Cheese
Introduction to Pairing the Best Gourmet Ingredients
The combination of chocolate and cheese is more than a sweet and savory pairing; it's an art. To ensure you taste the best of each ingredient, consider choosing high-quality artisan chocolates and cheeses. These come from reputable sources where you can ask detailed questions about perfect pairings. By bringing both to room temperature, you enhance the taste and aromas, making for a more enjoyable experience.
Setting Up the Tasting
To start your tasting session successfully, make sure you've selected top-tier chocolates and cheeses. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and let them sit at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes. This allows you to fully experience the flavors and appreciate their aromas. For a truffle that's quite firm, this extended time is even more important.
While a variety of chocolates and cheeses is great, organizing the pairings can make the tasting more pleasant. Order them from mild to medium in flavor or from subtle to bold. Begin with a mild pairing like goat cheese and milk chocolate. Allow your guests to savor flavors by offering palate cleansers such as crackers, water, or grapes after each bite.
Paring Chocolates with Cheese That Complement
1. Dark Chocolate and Complex Aged Cheeses
If you're unsure which chocolate pairs with a cheese, try pairing it with dark chocolate. Ensure it contains 55-60% cocoa solids for a flavor that complements almost any cheese. Complex aged cheeses such as Parmigiano reggiano, blue cheese, and aged gouda work particularly well with dark chocolate.
2. Milk Chocolate and Mild Cheeses
Milk chocolate is creamy and often paired with other soft, creamy cheeses to balance its buttery flavor. You can use fresh, unaged cheeses with high-quality milk chocolate lacking preservatives. Ideal partners are ricotta, fromage blanc, cream cheese, and goat cheese.
3. White Chocolate with Mellow Cheeses
White chocolate is sweeter and creamy, making it perfect for more mellow cheeses with a hint of sweetness. Consider semi-soft cheeses like Swiss, Emmental, Gouda, and Fontina.
4. Crunchy Chocolates and Bark
Try crunchy chocolates or bark, paired with various cheeses. Pair them with semi-soft cheeses like Brie to contrast textures or with sharp or aged cheeses like aged Jack, aged Cheddar, or aged Gouda to enhance complexity.
Eating Foods That Combine Chocolate and Cheese
1. Cheesecakes
You don't need to be adventurous to start. Begin with a cheesecake made from cream cheese and quality white chocolate, or swap some of the cream cheese for Camembert or Brie. Dark chocolate also works well. Alternatively, use Quark, which is similar to yogurt or softened cream cheese, for a unique cheesecake flavor.
2. Dipping Berries in Chocolate and Cheese
Try dipping strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries in dark chocolate, letting them set and then dipping them into melted cheese. Serve them with cheese cubes like Cheddar or Gouda. For a melting cheese option, use Yorkie, which has a sharp flavor that pairs well with fresh fruit. Fuel palate delight with a variety of croutons, crackers, or toast points between bites.
3. Poached Pears with Chocolate and Blue Cheese
For a lingering dessert, poach pears in a chocolate syrup, adding a hint of Gorgonzola to create a creamy, creamy flavor profile. Serve while warm for a special treat. Search for Gorgonzola dolce, a slightly softer and creamier version of the traditional cheese. Heat up Yorkie cheese in a fondue to melt it easily, serving with fruit like strawberries.
4. Chocolate and Brie Pastry
Create a truly impressive dessert by placing a wheel of brie in chocolate hazelnut spread, wrapping it with thawed puff pastry, and baking until warm. Serve along with crackers, bread, or berries. For a similar effect, make puff pastries with Brie and dark chocolate, perfect for a sophisticated meal.
By pairing chocolate and cheese thoughtfully, you'll create a symphony of flavors and textures that make every bite a delightful experience.