Today the charcuterie board is getting more and more entertaining and enjoyable. In addition to offering pure vegetarian presentations, pairing meats with cheeses and adding condiments adds layers of flavor and texture to delight the senses. Be sure to taste each individually, then try them together to be sure that they complement one another. Try pairing honey with cheese next time you have a get-together.
Tasting notes on honey
Good honey, like good wine, features intriguing layers of flavor and shifts in color, fragrance, thickness, and texture from varietal to varietal, telling the story of the flowers surrounding the hive and providing its nectar base. All plants produce uniquely colored and flavored nectars and pollen, which impact the final aroma and taste of the resulting honey. Interestingly, there are now services that allow a beekeeper to break down the DNA of the various nectar sources in their honey, revealing the origins of the harvest. Even without this, though, we know that our farm’s honey is heavily influenced by black locust, clover, bee balm, lavender, and goldenrod (in the Autumn), which form an intensely floral, slightly earthy final product.
Observe each varietal and artisanal batch’s color, aroma, and flavor. Honey color shifts with each harvest; interestingly, it may be white, pale yellow, golden orange, light, dark amber, or brown. Lighter honey has a milder flavor, and darker shades offer a more distinctive aroma and taste. Have fun tasting honey.
Beautiful wheel of soft cheese paired with walnuts and honey, and craisins
Our favorite artisanal honey includes local Wildflower, Oregon Blackberry, and Florida Orange Blossom, boasting sweet, floral notes that pair well with mild or soft cheeses. Clover Honey is the “gold standard” it is light yellow-amber and boasts an earthy, floral scent that finishes with a sweet and caramel note. It is excellent honey to pair with all sorts of cheese.
Sampling and Pairing Honey with Cheese is a feast for all senses.
You can pour sweet nectar on the “stinkiest” cheese, follow with a nice crisp glass of wine, and experience incredible harmony in your mouth. It’s a great way to enjoy happy hour!
Indeed, creating natural beauty when designing a honey and cheese platter is not difficult. First, pick a beautiful marble block or live-edge wooden board. Choose the most beautiful organic produce and artisan roasted or raw nuts. Find the perfect pinch pots to hold nuts, honey, olives, or fruit; before you know it, you’ve built a masterpiece.
Have fun pairing cheese with honey; here are a few ideas:
- Blue cheese pairs perfectly with honey; you’ll notice that the sweet notes mellow the intense flavor and fragrance of the cheese.
- Brie is lovely when drizzled with dark bamboo or buckwheat honey. Bake a wheel of brie with honey to caramelize the top and offer a gooey delight for your guests.
- Goat cheese and other tangy cheeses like feta benefit from a drizzle of honey. Try different varietals and see what varietals you like the best.
- Ricotta is light enough for breakfast with a poached egg drizzled with a dash of spicy honey or served as a dessert paired with dried fruit or fresh berries and a sprinkle of cinnamon. On the savory side, try sliced, gently grilled zucchini painted with ricotta and sprinkled with chopped sun-dried tomato; roll and drizzle with honey before serving.
- Hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano and other aged hard cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, are delicious with a drizzle of honey. In this instance, cutting these cheeses into wedges and encouraging guests to dip them into honey may work better.
Serving honey and cheese
- Serve sliced toasted baguette or artisan crackers alongside your cheese platter, making it easier for your guests to eat.
- Drizzle honey over the cheese before serving. Or serve a honey jar on the side to encourage guests to drizzle. Don’t forget to serve with cashews or spiced Marcona almonds to enhance the pairing experience.
- And then there’s wine.
- The right wine for these suggested pairings can complete this party, from sparkling rose champagne or prosecco to sophisticated pinot noir and everything in between. Have fun with it.
- At our Honey House, we sell honeycomb specifically for our customers looking for exciting ways to incorporate honey into their diet. Leaving the honeycomb whole is a great way to entertain guests. In addition, the comb is edible, so your guests can cut off a slice of honeycomb and top the cheese and cracker.
