Chocolate and cheese may not be the first two ingredients that jump to mind when considering food pairings, but the unification of these two elements is gaining momentum in both restaurants and homes across the nation. With so many varieties of chocolate and cheese, whether as a snack or an after dinner treat, the pairing options are truly endless and makes finding the right combination almost effortless. Try both complementary and contrasting flavors. Sometimes, opposites will attract, other times the similar flavors of the pairing will enhance one another.

 

Here are three chocolate and cheese pairings that will leave you wondering why you haven’t tried this before and peak your curiosity further to try to find even more winning combinations to please your taste palate.

Blue cheese with dark chocolate truffles

The saltiness of the blue cheese will be tempered when paired with Delysia’s Chocolatier’s dark chocolate truffles. The smooth, rich, bitter chocolate adds just the right amount of sweetness to accompany the fungal notes of the blue cheese. Spicy dark chocolate also works well and makes for a great snack.

 

 

Sharp cheese with spicy chocolate

Try pairing Parmigiano Reggiano with Delysia’s Mexican hot chocolate bark. This king of cheeses may be complex and able to hold its own, but partnering it with an equally intense mate will bring the pair to a common ground. The hints of spice, coffee and cinnamon notes of the chocolate bark will pair nicely with the aged cheese making it an elegant dessert.

 

Cheddar cheese with sea-salted caramel chocolate

The tanginess of the cheddar combines well with Delysia’s sea salt truffle collection. The chewy, buttery caramel complements the similar notes of the cheddar while the crunchy bit of sea salt rounds out the pairing with a simultaneously sweet and savory finish.

 

 

Remember that both chocolate and cheese are very rich foods, so a little goes a long way. Since you only need the smallest pieces of each to feel satisfied, choose quality over quantity. For a noteworthy experience, make sure both chocolate and cheese are at room temperature before pairing and have unsalted crackers and a pitcher of cold water to cleanse your palate on hand. Take your time and enjoy!

What are your favorite chocolate and cheese pairings? Have you recently hosted a party to share your love for chocolate and cheese pairings with friends and family? We’d love to hear about your encounters, so please share your experiences with us here.