I was twelve the first time I tried cheese and jam together. A box of garden vegetable and herb crackers implored me to top each biscuit with a slice of cheddar cheese and strawberry jam. My eyes went wide. I couldn’t believe we had both in the fridge, bless my mother. I tried one and then I was falling over myself trying to make more. This is still one of my most formative food experiences. I learned to nurture my culinary curiosity and challenge my palette, because it’s almost always rewarding. Welcome to the world of cheese and jam.
When pairing cheese and jam, the goal is to marry flavors that complement each other. Assertive cheeses should be paired with assertive jams so one flavor doesn’t overpower the other. The same is true for mild cheeses: pair with mild jams. Your cheese and jam pairing can be simple and elegant, topping off a cracker or crostini, or a little hardier (grilled cheese & jam is my favorite lunch). Use pairings in this blog as a guide for your cheese and jam journey.
Apple Butter
Pair with:
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Brie
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English Cheddar
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Chevre
Apricot Jam
Pair with:
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Chevre
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Parmesan
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White Stilton
Banana Jam
Pair with:
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Goat Gouda
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Brie
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Manchego
Blackberry Jam
Pair with:
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Blue Stilton
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Manchego
-
Brie
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Camembert
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Chevre
-
Feta
Try this recipe for baked feta with rosemary-blackberry compote.
Black Currant Jam
Pair with:
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Blue Cheese
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Feta
-
Aged Parmesan
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Sharp Cheddar
Cherry Preserves
Pair with:
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Brie
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White Cheddar
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Cream Cheese
-
Mascarpone
Cranberry Jam/Sauce
Pair with:
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Chevre
-
Camembert
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Brie
This cranberry camembert pizza is sure to please. Serve as an appetizer, side, or main.
Fig Jam
Pair with:
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Brie
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Emmental
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Mozzarella
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Feta
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Sharp Cheddar
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Blue Cheese
Our recipe for brie, fig, and onion panini is a must.
Grapefruit Marmalade
Pair with:
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Boursin
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Chevre
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Cream Cheese
Lemon Curd
Pair with:
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Ricotta
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Mascarpone
I’ll definitely be making these ricotta pancakes with lemon curd this weekend.
Onion Jam
Pair with:
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Sharp Cheddar Cheese
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Blue Cheese
Orange Marmalade
Pair with:
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Gouda
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Jarlsberg
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Monterey Jack
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Semi-Aged Pecorino
Our baked brie with orange marmalade is the easiest and most elegant party food.
Peach Jam
Pair with:
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Chevre
-
Strong Blue Cheeses like Gorgonzola
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Brie
Pear Preserves
Pair with:
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Gorgonzola
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Brie
-
Stilton
Pepper Jelly
Pair with:
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Blue Cheese
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Cream Cheese
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Cheddar
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Gouda
Plum Jam
Pair with:
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Chevre
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Cream Cheese
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Gouda/Smoked Gouda
Raspberry Jam
Pair with:
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Parmigiano-Reggiano
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Brie
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Cream Cheese
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Mascarpone
Strawberry Jam
Pair with:
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Chevre
-
Cream Cheese
-
Brie
-
Mascarpone
-
Asiago
Try these mascarpone strawberry jam toasts for breakfast.