Cheese is a tasty and nutritious dairy product that can be used to prepare a real delicacy. The combination of cheese and honey is considered very unusual. It comes as a surprise to some. However, these products go well together, enhancing each other's taste. Therefore, you can prepare a very interesting and healthy snack from them. It is important to take into account a number of features.
The benefits of cheese with honey
The combination of cheese and honey is considered very healthy. Thus, dairy products contain a lot of calcium, which is required for the normal development of bones and teeth.In addition, cheese contains a lot of protein, which quickly saturates the body and helps dull the feeling of hunger without having a negative impact on the figure. Many varieties of this product stimulate metabolism and restore the functions of the digestive organs.
Honey contains many vitamins and minerals that are important for adults and children. The beekeeping product contains the following:
- minerals - these include magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium;
- B vitamins;
- ascorbic acid;
- natural antibiotics;
- nutritious carbohydrates;
- amino acids;
- antioxidants.
Honey helps strengthen the heart, improve immunity, and eliminate anemia. The product has an anti-inflammatory and antiviral effect on the body. The substance also has antifungal properties and is an excellent immunomodulator. In addition, the beekeeping product energizes people and helps restore strength after severe viral infections or surgical interventions.
Selection of varieties
To get a successful combination and achieve an ideal flavor balance, you need to choose the right types of cheese and honey. The best compatibility is observed with the following products:
- Acacia honey goes well with blue cheese and pecorini. This delicate bee product helps highlight the flavor of the cheese without overpowering it. At the same time, there is no pronounced cloying or strong honey aftertaste.
- Lavender nectar harmonizes perfectly with mascarpone and croten. This type of honey has a dense consistency and pronounced aroma. Therefore, it harmonizes perfectly with savory types of cheese. This combination helps to obtain a new unusual taste and a subtle aftertaste in which floral notes are felt.
- Pine honey goes well with brie and camembert.This honey is characterized by a fairly liquid consistency and the aroma of fir cones. It goes perfectly with soft varieties. A great addition to this combination would be baked or fresh pear.
- Thyme honey can be combined with hard and semi-hard sheep and goat cheeses. This variety of nectar is characterized by a pronounced spicy aftertaste and thyme aroma. Therefore, even the most demanding gourmet will like its combination with goat and sheep cheeses. This combination will be organically complemented by red wine.
- Chestnut honey can be combined with Russian and Dutch cheese. Martello or caciotta would also be an excellent addition to this nectar. In the aftertaste of honey, pronounced nutty shades are felt. In addition, it has a pleasant spicy aroma.
- Linden nectar is a good complement to Marsental Tournai and other super-hard types of cheese. This type of honey has a fresh and delicate taste. It is moderately sweet and very viscous. This beekeeping product will perfectly highlight the piquant and pungent taste of aged cheese.
- Flower honey is well complemented by mozzarella and feta. It can be combined with creamy curd varieties and white mold cheese. Honey nectar is characterized by a pronounced sweet taste, which is organically complemented by a soft cheese texture. This combination allows you to get a delicate melting dessert.
- Coriander honey can be organically supplemented with Gruyere or Marigiana. An equally good choice would be marcental fouetté. Ripe cheeses are distinguished by a slight bitterness, which perfectly complements the delicate and piquant taste of honey with pronounced marzipan notes.
- Alfalfa, clover, buckwheat, citrus varieties of honey are organically combined with feta cheese, suluguni, and Adyghe cheese. It can be combined with pickled varieties. The bright taste and pronounced aroma of honey nectar delicately emphasize the obvious saltiness of the cheese.
At the same time, experts do not recommend limiting yourself to standard combinations. It is quite possible to look for something new and experiment. This will help you find your ideal combination.
Where did it come from?
Such tastes began to be mixed in France. Since ancient times, this country has been looking for new taste sensations by mixing unusual products. In general, now in European countries cheese with honey is served for breakfast or dinner. This combination can hardly be called unusual.
Nuances of cheese plate design
To get a tasty and beautiful snack, it is important to understand how cheese and honey are served. When compiling a cheese plate, you should be guided by the following rules:
- Place the cheeses in small slices. It is recommended to start with a neutral variety and gradually move on to piquant, spicy and bitter ones.
- Between different varieties, place products that differ in color and texture. This could be dark grapes or fresh herbs.
- Take tender and viscous honey, which does not have a pronounced aroma. Nectar with a rich taste is best used for a romantic date or home gatherings.
- Top the cheese plate with sour jam.
It is recommended to serve the cheese plate without bread. At the same time, wine will be an excellent addition to the appetizer. You can pour honey on a plate or serve it in a separate bowl.
If you plan to use cheese as an aperitif, three varieties will suffice.If the cheese plate is served as dessert, the number of types of cheese should be increased. In this case, it is recommended to place thin slices on a large dish, and place bowls filled with liquid honey in the center.
For a festive event, in addition to a honey and cheese plate, you should use apples, kiwi, pineapple, prunes, cherries and other fruits and berries. Walnuts, pine nuts and almonds are also perfect. It is recommended to place them in handfuls near the cheese.
Cheese, nuts and fruits must be taken with special forks. In this case, you need to transfer the honey nectar with a spoon to your plate and dip the ingredients into it.
What else do they eat with?
To make a cheese and honey plate more interesting, it is recommended to supplement it with nuts and dried fruits. Also an excellent solution would be to serve it with fruits and berries - kiwi, grapes, apples, pears, figs. Most often, this appetizer is served with wine.
Are there any contraindications
Cheese and honey snack may be harmful to people who are allergic to bee products or suffer from lactose intolerance. You should also be careful in the presence of urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, colitis, acute gastritis.
The combination of cheese and honey can be called classic. These ingredients combine perfectly and enhance each other's taste. However, the preparation of this snack has a number of features that should definitely be taken into account.
