How to enjoy sheep’s milk cheese with quince

Every cheeselover knows that cheese is one of our most versatile foods: it can be combined in countless ways in sweet or savoury dishes. With almost as many types of cheese and ways to eat it as there are people, we find it surprising when someone says they do not like cheese. Those of us who consider even a small piece a delicacy are also drawn to combinations with jam, fruit, honey or sauces. We have already explained how best to pair cheese and jam and discussed famous wine pairings.

Today, we share tips for combining cheese with quince, a fruit that resembles a pear on the outside but is otherwise quite different. Quince is not eaten raw, as it tastes sour and leaves a rough aftertaste. When cooked, however, it becomes sweet, almost syrupy. Read on to discover how to pair it with cheese for a surprising burst of flavour.

How do you eat sheep’s milk cheese with quince?

As mentioned, quince is not eaten raw: it needs to cook for about three quarters of an hour to become sweet and pleasant to eat. It is rich in pectin, ideal for jams and recipes requiring natural thickeners. A traditional preparation is quince paste, which sets into a semi-solid block when cool, although jam or preserves can also be made.

Because it is sweet, we might think any cheese would pair beautifully with it. Most cheese and quince combinations probably taste good, but a successful pairing depends on many nuances. In particular, mature or semi-mature sheep’s milk cheese provides a delicious contrast to quince.

Why combine cheese and quince?

As with jams and fruit, cheese and quince offer an ideal contrast, enhancing each other’s flavours when the right pairing is found. The combination stimulates all our senses, creating a pleasant, stimulating sensation in the brain that invites us to close our eyes and enjoy the flavours.

Tips for combining cheese and quince

There are a few general keys to achieving a perfect pairing:

• Seek balance, for example by combining strong, powerful cheeses with the sweetness of quince.
• Make sure neither flavour masks the other, allowing both to harmonise on the palate.
• Do not be afraid to try new combinations and be surprised by the burst of flavour.

Some cheese and quince combinations

Now that we know how quince is eaten and how to achieve a good pairing, here are some ideas:

Sheep’s milk cheese with quince

As mentioned, our CabeSota mature sheep’s milk cheese pairs perfectly with our quince paste. Toast your favourite bread and, while it is hot, put a piece of sheep’s milk cheese on top so it melts slightly. Add a rectangle of quince paste and some pepper or thyme for extra intensity.

Salad with sheep’s milk cheese, quince, pear, walnuts and lamb’s lettuce

A quick, fresh and delicious recipe for hot days. This salad combines fresh lamb’s lettuce, the intense flavour of sheep’s milk cheese and the sweetness of quince and pear. Dress with extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and aromatic herbs to taste.

A sharing board

How we cheeselovers enjoy a good board of different cheeses! Liven up snacks and dinners with mature, semi-mature and mild cheeses, such as our CabeSota mild sheep’s milk cheese, accompanied by jams, nuts and diced quince paste.