When most people build a cheese board, they reach for the classics: crackers, cured meats, grapes and preserves. Those pairings have certainly earned their place, but cheese is far more adventurous than we sometimes give it credit for.
The richness, saltiness and tang of cheese can create surprisingly delicious combinations with bitter, spicy, fermented and even crunchy ingredients. If you’re ready to shake up your next cheese board, grilled cheese or afternoon snack, here are five unexpected pairings worth trying.
1. Coffee
Coffee and cheese may sound like they belong at opposite ends of the meal, but they have more in common than you might think. Both can carry complex roasted, nutty, fruity and caramel-like flavours.
Aged Gouda is especially delicious alongside coffee because its naturally sweet, caramel notes complement a dark roast or espresso. A sharp aged cheddar can stand up to a bold cup of coffee, while creamy Brie softens coffee’s bitterness.
Try it: Serve shards of aged Gouda with espresso after dinner, or pair a triple-cream Brie with your morning latte and a warm croissant.
2. Miso
Miso is a fermented soybean paste best known for its role in Japanese cooking, but its salty, savoury flavour also makes it an excellent partner for cheese. Both ingredients are rich in umami, so combining them creates an especially deep and satisfying flavour.
White miso is the mildest and slightly sweetest variety, making it a great place to start. It works beautifully with creamy cheeses such as Brie and goat cheese, but it can also add another layer of flavour to an aged cheddar.
Try it: Mix a small spoonful of white miso into honey, then drizzle it over baked Brie or fresh goat cheese. A little goes a long way!
3. Kimchi
Spicy, tangy and fermented, kimchi provides exactly the kind of contrast that rich, melty cheese loves. Its acidity cuts through the richness, while the cheese mellows some of the heat.
Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack and Havarti are all excellent choices. This combination is particularly delicious in warm dishes where the cheese can melt into all those bold flavours.
Try it: Drain and roughly chop the kimchi, then add it to a grilled cheese sandwich with aged cheddar or Havarti. It’s spicy, gooey, crunchy and very difficult to stop eating.
4. Dark Chocolate
Chocolate and cheese might both appear on a dessert board, but they’re rarely eaten in the same bite—and they should be!
Choose dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content rather than something overly sweet. Its slight bitterness pairs beautifully with the caramel notes of aged Gouda, the sharpness of aged cheddar and the bold, salty flavour of blue cheese. Even Parmesan can be surprisingly delicious with a small piece of dark chocolate.
Try it: Add a few pieces of good-quality dark chocolate to your next cheese board. Start with aged Gouda if you want an approachable pairing, or try blue cheese if you’re feeling adventurous.
5. Potato Chips
Sometimes the best pairings aren’t fancy at all. Plain kettle-cooked potato chips bring salt and an irresistible crunch, making them a fun alternative to traditional crackers.
Their sturdy texture works well with soft cheeses and spreads, while their simple flavour lets the cheese remain the star. They’re especially good with Brie, whipped goat cheese, blue cheese or a smoky cheddar.
Try it: Top kettle chips with a small dollop of goat cheese and hot honey, or serve them beside a creamy cheese dip. For an easy party appetizer, add blue cheese, a drizzle of honey and a few chopped walnuts.
Give Your Cheese Board an Unexpected Twist
Great cheese pairings are all about balance. Rich cheese loves acidity, salty cheese welcomes sweetness, and creamy cheese becomes even more interesting with something crunchy or spicy.
You don’t have to rebuild your entire cheese board, either. Choose one favourite cheese, add one unexpected pairing and see what happens. You may discover a combination that sounds strange on paper but earns a permanent place on your table.
Stop by The Cheese Wedge at 601 Michigan Ave. in Point Edward and let us help you find the perfect cheese for your next flavour experiment!