Pairing Dried Figs with Cheese

Pairing dried figs with cheese is a beautiful art that can make both ingredients interesting and even more delightful. Try experimenting with different combinations for best results.  Enjoying the marriage of two foods is like chemistry that when combined can create an altogether different type of tasting experience. Do you prefer a bold contrast or a pleasing balance? An important question when pairing food with your dried figs.

We will be considering the different flavor profiles types of cheeses and how they would complement the sweetness of figs. For something bold, opt for a blue cheese or aged cheddar. For a pleasing, subtle balance, choose goat cheese or Brie. And for something exciting, pair dried figs with an aged Manchego or Gouda.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese offers a bold contrast to the sweetness of dried figs. The salty and sometimes bitter notes of blue cheese add a beautiful contrast to the fruitiness of the figs – a complex and satisfying combination. Try  Roquefort, Gorgonzola or Stilton!

Goat Cheese

The mildness of a Goat cheese provides a pleasing pairing to the sweetness of dried figs. The acidity of goat cheese cuts through the richness of the figs leading to a well-rounded pairing. 

Brie’s soft and buttery texture, offers something luxurious when paired to dried figs. Its sweet nuttiness doesn’t overpower the figs. 

Aged Cheddar

Aged cheddar, with its sharp, scrumptious flavor, is a lively pairing for dried figs. The sharp notes of the cheddar offer a nice counterbalance to the sweetness of the figs, creating a savory and satisfying combination. 

Manchego

The nutty notes of Manchego, an earthy, Spanish sheep’s milk cheese complements the sweetness of the figs, while its firm texture provides a satisfying contrast.

Gouda

A young Gouda, with its mild and buttery flavor, offers a light and refreshing pairing, while an aged Gouda, with its nutty and caramel notes, provides a more intense and complex combination.

Parmesan

Parmesan, a hard and granular Italian cheese, offers a salty and umami-rich flavor that pairs nicely with the sweetness of dried figs.

3-3-3 Rule and Charcuterie Board Presentation Tips

The 3-3-3 rule involves choosing three cheeses, three meats, and three accompaniments. For a fig and cheese charcuterie board, the figs would be one of your three accompaniments. Consider also adding something crunchy like your favourite almonds and also a  savoury accompaniment like olives or pickled onions to round it out.

When arranging your foods always start with the largest items first. This would be your cheese wedges and bowls of condiment like a fig jam. Then add the figs, spacing them around the board to create movement. Tuck crackers or crostini along the edges and fill in gaps with seasonal greens for something festive and aromatic. With this board think rustic and elegant.

Enjoy dried figs and cheese paired with a glass of Merlot, Cabernet, Riesling or Port.