What Are The Best Crackers Or Breads To Serve With Cheese?

“I’m planning a cheese tasting party for a few friends and want to make sure I pair the right crackers and breads with the various cheeses I’ll be serving. We’ll have a mix of different cheeses, from soft and creamy to hard and aged. How do I choose the best crackers and breads to complement each type of cheese? Thanks!” Ashley, Sydney, Australia.

What Are The Best Crackers Or Breads To Serve With Cheese?

Planning a cheese-tasting event like Ashley? Choosing the right crackers and breads to complement your cheeses can elevate the entire experience. Each type of cheese has its own set of characteristics which can be accentuated with the perfect pairing of bread or crackers. Here’s a guide to help you match your cheeses with the best possible accompaniments.

Understanding Cheese Profiles

First things first, understanding the basic profiles of cheese can make pairing a lot easier. Cheese can generally be categorized into the following types:

• Fresh Cheeses: Soft and moist, examples include ricotta and mozzarella.
• Soft Cheeses: Creamy and often spreadable, brie and camembert are common choices.
• Semi-Soft Cheeses: Slightly firmer but still soft, gouda and fontina fit here.
• Firm Cheeses: Dense and hard, cheddar and gouda fall into this category.
• Blue Cheeses: Characterized by veins of mold, like gorgonzola and roquefort.
• Aged Cheeses: Hard and crumbly, such as parmesan and asiago.

Each of these categories has a unique flavor, texture, and moisture content, making the selection process for accompaniments an art. Here’s how to pair them with the right crackers and breads.

Best Crackers for Cheese

Fresh and Soft Cheeses

For fresh and soft cheeses, you want something that doesn’t overshadow their delicate flavors:

• Water Crackers: These are neutral and offer a crunchy contrast without overpowering the cheese.
• Rice Crackers: Light and crisp, these are perfect for soft cheeses like brie or camembert.
• Savory Biscuits: Lightly seasoned biscuits can add a subtle flavor boost while letting the cheese shine.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

Semi-soft cheeses pair well with slightly more structured and flavorful crackers:

• Whole-Wheat Crackers: These have a nutty flavor that complements the creamy texture of semi-soft cheeses.
• Seeded Crackers: The little bursts of flavor from seeds can add an interesting dimension.
• Multigrain Crackers: These bring a variety of flavors to the table, enhancing rather than competing with the cheese.

Firm and Aged Cheeses

For denser, more robust cheeses, you need a cracker that can stand up to their intense flavors:

• Rustic Crackers: Heavier crackers with a robust flavor profile can balance the strong taste of aged cheeses.
• Baguette Crisps: Thinly sliced and toasted baguette pieces add a delicious crunch to each bite.
• Sourdough Crackers: The tang of sourdough pairs particularly well with aged cheddar or parmesan.

Blue Cheeses

Blues are pungent and strong, requiring a cracker that can match their boldness:

• Fruit and Nut Crisps: The sweetness of dried fruits and the crunch of nuts can balance the intense flavor of blue cheese.
• Honey Sesame Crackers: The slight sweetness and sesame flavor create an exciting contrast.
• Rye Crackers: The earthiness of rye complements the strong, tangy notes of blue cheese.

Best Bread for Cheese

Fresh and Soft Cheeses

Soft and fresh cheeses benefit from simple, understated breads that don’t overpower:

• Baguette: A classic choice, its mild flavor and chewy texture go perfectly with soft cheeses.
• Ciabatta: The open crumb and light texture are great for soaking up creamy cheeses.
• White Bread: Basic but effective, it provides a neutral background for fresh cheese flavors.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

Semi-soft cheeses need a bread that offers a bit more texture and flavor:

• Sourdough: Its slight tang adds another layer of flavor without overwhelming the cheese.
• Pumpernickel: The dense, slightly sweet profile pairs well with cheese like gouda.
• Focaccia: With its airy but flavorful character, it complements semi-soft cheeses beautifully.

Firm and Aged Cheeses

These cheeses need substantial bread to match their intensity:

• Rustic French Loaf: Perfect for a sturdy accompaniment that can handle firm cheese.
• Sourdough: Its robust flavor stands up to the intensity of aged cheeses.
• Rye Bread: Especially good with aged gouda or cheddar, rye adds a nice earthy contrast.

Blue Cheeses

The intense flavors of blue cheeses need bread that can offer balance:

• Walnut Bread: The nutty sweetness works wonderfully with the sharpness of blue cheese.
• Honey Wheat Bread: The slight sweetness from the honey balances out the pungency.
• Fruit Bread: Dried fruits like figs and apricots in the bread offer a sweet counterpoint to blue cheese complexities.

Specialty Pairings

Sometimes, a bit of creativity can take your cheese and bread pairings to the next level:

• Cheese Boards with Charcuterie: Complement your selection with cured meats, seasonal fruits, and nuts to create a full sensory experience.
• Herb-Infused Crackers and Breads: Adding rosemary or thyme to your crackers or breads can elevate the herbal notes in some cheeses.
• Sweet and Savory Combinations: Don’t be afraid to pair sweet breads or crackers with savory cheeses – it can create an exciting balance of flavors.

What to Avoid

A quick note on what to avoid when pairing crackers and breads with cheeses:

1. Overly Flavored Crackers: Avoid crackers with strong artificial flavors like barbecue or cheese-flavored crackers. They tend to overshadow the cheese’s natural taste.
2. Too Much Salt: Cheeses already have a good amount of salt, so pairing them with very salty crackers or breads can make the combination overwhelming.
3. Dense Breads with Soft Cheeses: Heavy, dense bread can be too much for delicate cheeses and might mask their flavor.

Tips for Serving

Here are some final serving tips to make your cheese-tasting event smooth and enjoyable:

1. Room Temperature: Serve cheeses at room temperature to let their flavors truly come through.
2. Separate Knives: Use different knives for each cheese type to avoid flavor cross-contamination.
3. Labeling: Label each cheese and its paired cracker or bread to guide your guests through the experience.
4. Moderation: Less is more. Rather than overwhelming your guests with too many choices, select a few excellent pairings for a memorable tasting.

Final Thoughts…

Ashley, thank you for the wonderful question! Bringing the perfect pairing of crackers and breads to your cheese-tasting party can truly enhance the culinary experience for your friends. Remember, balance and complement are key; choose subtle crackers for delicate cheeses and robust options for stronger varieties. Happy cheese tasting!