The Unexpected Cheese You Should Be Pairing With Dark Chocolate

It's no secret that the savory flavors of cheese complement the complex tasting notes in dark chocolate. While there are many noteworthy pairings between the different varieties of chocolate and cheese out there, the uniqueness of blue cheese pairs especially well with dark chocolate's bite. There are many ways to bring this exciting combination to life, whether it's the star of a main dish, a feature amongst other ingredients, or enjoyed simply on its own — this duo is sure to please. 

Blue cheese can be off-putting to those who don't understand how it's made and are hesitant about funkier flavors. Many do not know this type of cheese is intentionally injected with mold spores to achieve its distinct appearance. This is also where its salty, earthy, and punchy tastes come from. The process of forced molding is what makes this type of cheese so flavorsome, but not everyone knows how to tell when blue cheese goes bad, so they avoid it completely instead. There are many varieties on the market that will suit any palate, all it takes is some taste-testing to find which blue cheeses you love most. 

When you combine this with the nuanced flavors present in dark chocolate, you get a deliciously unique outcome that is surprisingly versatile. Dark chocolate is another ingredient commonly misunderstood, as some consider it to be inherently bitter or sharp. In order to grab chocolate that suits your palate, consider the percentage of cocoa, as well as the origin. Either of these features will present many flavor variations like floral, nutty, and earthen — all the way to spicy or sweet. Therefore, the complexities between these two ingredients will undoubtably lead to some interesting dishes.

When considering ways you could pair this duo, a cheeseboard is the most obvious choice. While you could expertly align different blue cheeses with various dark chocolates, you could also go for more interesting dishes like dark chocolate and smoky blue cheese gougères. This French classic is made from delicate choux pastry and incorporates each ingredient into a gooey filling, making for a delicious appetizer to serve at your next wine and cheese night. 

If you plan to lean toward a dessert, you could incorporate both ingredients into a dark chocolate and blue cheese ice cream. While the final result will be dependent upon how adventurous you're feeling (and how much blue cheese you add in), you needn't worry that it'll taste as if you're eating spoonfuls of cheese. Rather, this combination will pull out flavor nuances that are not usually present in plain chocolate ice cream, making for a more interesting twist on this frozen classic.

You may opt to keep your ingredients separate, to be enjoyed as two distinct features within a loaf of sourdough bread. If that's not enough, try making a chocolate loaf and add a smear of blue cheese over top. To achieve the best result, enjoy right after it's freshly baked, allowing the cheese to subtly melt into each slice. For those who are die-hard Nutella fans, try adding blue cheese to your sandwich for a funkier twist on this fan favorite. If that's not enough, check out these other unexpected uses for blue cheese.