Apple Cinnamon Cheddar Cheese

Pairings and Complementary Flavors:

Cocktails: Old Fashioned, Sangria, Margarita, Hot Buttered Rum
~ Cocktails featuring autumnal spices, hints of apple, and complementing spirits pair exceptionally well with the intricate flavors of this flavored cheddar cheese. Try it with a Spiced Apple Old Fashioned Autumn Sangria, Apple Spice Margarita, or Hot Buttered Rum.

Wine: Riesling, Chardonnay, Moscato
~ Riesling has slightly sweet, floral notes and perfect acidity to enhance the cheese’s sweetness and flavors.
~ Chardonnay that is either lightly oaked or unoaked with crisp, fruity undertones brings a refreshing balance.
~ A late-harvest Moscato will complement the cinnamon and create a luscious and indulgent pairing, making this combination a great dessert option.

Beer: Amber Ale, Hard Cider, fruit-infused beer such as cherry or berry
~ The moderate hops of an Amber Ale, not to mention its fruity notes and natural flavors, will deliver a well-balanced and memorable taste experience.
~ The intense flavors of a fruit-infused beer or a hard cider, accompanied by this cheese, will make an excellent pairing option for the perfect dessert.

Accompaniments: crackers, apples, honey, nuts, fig jam
~ Plain or lightly seasoned crackers make a great choice by offering a contrasting texture and highlighting the cheese.
~ Crisp and slightly tart apple varieties (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) enhance the cheese flavors.
~ Honey adds a touch of sweetness and creates a delightful contrast that pairs wonderfully with this cheese’s apple and cinnamon notes.
~ Nuts like walnuts or pecans enhance the savory qualities of this cheddar.
~ Fig jam adds a sweet and tangy flavor that is delicate and sweet.

Suggested uses:

For a cheese platter. This cheese adds a visually intriguing element with its specks of apple and swirls of cinnamon.

Try it in grilled cheese with fig jam. The combination of sweet flavors from the jam and the apple cinnamon of the cheese, paired with the savory cheddar, elevates flavors to form a sweet and delicious comfort food.

Used in sweet and savory pies, tarts, or baked goods for a unique and intriguing flavor profile.

Crumbled atop fall-inspired salads. This cheese will add a burst of flavor and serve as an excellent component to the autumn theme of the dish.

~ Port wine, with its sweetness and essence of dried fruits and spices, mingles well with the sharpness of the cheese and creates a decadent pairing.

Beer: IPA, Porter, Stout, or Brown ale
~ The hoppy and citrusy style of an IPA or Porter, or a Stout with its roasted malt and sometimes smoky notes, creates a unique and savory relationship.
~ Brown Ale, due to its malty sweetness and notes of toffee and chocolate, offers a beer style that can complement the intensity and nuttiness of the aged white cheddar and create a gratifying balance.

Accompaniments: bread, sweet condiments, olives, nuts, fruit
~ Crusty bread, crackers, or oat biscuits provide a neutral base for enjoying the crumbly texture of the cheese.
~ Chutney, preserves, honey, or dark chocolate allow sweetness and a slight tang to complement the cheese’s intensity. ~ Pickles, olives, or pickled onion cut through the richness and add a refreshingly savory element.
~ Nuts and cured meats add a protein base to contrast textures and build subtle flavors.
~ Fresh fruits such as apples, grapes, or pears create a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity to contrast the robust flavors of the nine-year cheddar. Dried fruits offer a chewy and sweet factor and create a delightful relationship of flavors and textures.

Suggested uses:

Use nine-year cheddar as the focal point on a charcuterie board, accompanied by well-curated fruits, nuts, meats, and drinks

Elevate gourmet grilled cheese, pasta, burgers, savory tarts, quiche, or frittata