Cheese goes with everything. If you are a cheeselover like us, you will know that when we say “everything”, we really mean everything. You probably already know about cheese and wine pairings, which we have discussed before, and popular snacks combining cheese and jam or fruit. But did you know that you can also pair cheese with coffee? It may sound unusual, but if we add milk to coffee, why not try another dairy product?

Anything goes in cooking: the important thing is to be willing and eager to try something new. At Quesos CabeSota, we will share our best tips for pairing cheese and coffee perfectly. Do not miss them!

A culinary curiosity for many

The world’s most prestigious baristas say cheese and coffee are good partners because coffee cuts through the saltiness of cheese and cleanses the palate, leaving your mouth ready for the next bite. As with wine or jam pairings, balance is the key. Coffee’s bitterness combines beautifully with the creaminess of cheese, enhancing both flavours.

How to pair cheese and coffee

Many of the aromas in coffee are also found in cheese, which explains why they pair so well. Not all cheeses go with all coffees, however. The best coffees for cheese are those grown in Asia-Pacific, with their powerful, intense flavours. For the cheese, the key is that it should not be stronger than the coffee, so bear in mind that blue cheeses do not go with any coffee.

To help you avoid an unusual combination, here are the best cheeses to pair with coffee:

• Cheese with aromatic herbs: Coffee brings out the cheese’s aromas without losing its own intensity.
• Gouda: The older, the better: its sweet, mild flavour creates a perfect balance with coffee’s acidity.
• Mature cheese: Coffee softens the intense flavour of CabeSota mature cheese, creating an explosion of flavour in which neither food masks the other.
• Brie or Camembert: These creamy cheeses go beautifully with lightly roasted, highly acidic coffees.
• Emmental or Raclette: As these cheeses are very mild, their best partner is a dark-roasted coffee with lower acidity.

Do not forget famous desserts that already combine cheese and coffee, such as tiramisu. This Italian dessert is served cold and made from mascarpone and sponge soaked in coffee. You can also add coffee to a delicious cheesecake, a versatile dessert that can be served hot or cold, with jam, nuts or biscuits. Why not with coffee?

A Scandinavian tradition

Coffee and cheese may seem an unusual pairing, but it is not something we have just invented. Scandinavian countries have enjoyed kaffeost for decades. Cubes of cheese are put in a cup and covered with hot coffee until they absorb it without falling apart. Reindeer cheese was used in the past, but today cow’s or goat’s milk cheese is also used.

Coffee and cheese are also combined in France. In the north, morning coffee is served with a piece of Maroilles, a creamy cheese with a strong smell. In fact, it is customary there to stir coffee with a piece of cheese.

Try it with our cheeses!

If this intriguing pairing has won you over and you want to try it at your next snack, breakfast or afternoon treat, you will find delicious cheeses on our website to accompany your daily coffee.