Cheese and Honey

A drizzle of sweet honey is the perfect contrast to the salty nature of cheese. Honey pairs well with mild cheeses that have a little something nutty going on. It subdues cheeses with a naturally tangy and acidic flavor profile. It also provides a harmonious contrast to strong flavored cheeses. Honey is meant to elevate a cheese, not smother it, so use it sparingly.

What Type of Honey Should I Buy?

The vast majority of honey sold in grocery stores is a blend of honeys derived from various flower sources. It is also typically pasteurized to prevent crystallization. This type of honey has a mild and pleasant flavor and will therefore work fine on a cheese plate. If you'd like to try honey with more complex flavor components, buy from a gourmet store or farmers' market. Look for honey named after flowers such as orange blossom, lavender and clover. This indicates the type of flower the bee gathered nectar from. The subtle flavor nuances in these honeys are wonderful with cheese. You can also buy flavored honeys, infused with flavors like lavender, orange or raspberry.

Honey comes in different forms. Liquid honey is the most common. Honey is also sold with chunks of the honeycomb in the jar. You can even buy a whole piece of honeycomb with the honey inside. Many gourmet cheese stores sell honeycomb, as it is a fun way to present honey on a cheese plate.

What Type of Cheese Should I Buy?

• Blue cheese is fantastic, and almost any blue will do. The salty flavor and gritty texture of blues is heavenly with smooth, sweet honey.
  If you usually shy away from strong blues, this is the time to be more adventurous. The sweet honey will mellow out the strong flavor.
• Mild, fluffy Ricotta with honey is divine and can be served for breakfast or even as a dessert. This pairing is fantastic with fruit like figs or apricots. You can also add a salty element by serving Prosciutto on the side.

• The nutty and salty flavors in an aged cheese like Parmigiano-Reggiano are heightened with a drizzle of honey.

• Tangy and salty cheeses, like Feta and goat cheese, are subdued with a drizzle of honey.

How Should Cheese and Honey Be Served?

The easiest way to serve honey is to drizzle it over the cheese minutes before your guests arrive. You can also serve it on the side, but this can be messy and result in guests with very sticky fingers.

If you are serving a honeycomb, however, let the guests cut pieces of the honeycomb themselves. Leaving the honeycomb whole is visually stunning on a cheese plate. Other delicious accompaniments with cheese and honey are fruit and nuts. Crackers with rosemary flavor or even a black pepper flavor pair well.