What Cheese Goes with Pears? (10 Tasty Cheeses)

Knowing what cheese goes with pears can be a challenge, but it is so worth the effort!

The sweet, crunchy taste of ripe pears pairs perfectly with a wide range of delicious cheeses.

Enjoying this classic flavor combo by combining the right cheese and pear variety has never been easier.

I’ve rounded up my 10 favorite cheeses to accentuate the flavor and texture of fresh pears.

From Irish creamery cheddar to creamy ricotta brie, these picks are sure to please for many occasions; from casual snacking in front of the TV to fancy platters at weekend get-togethers.

In a rush? Here is the short answer:

The best kinds of cheese to serve with pears are soft and mild types such as brie, Camembert, blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Roquefort, or even a semi-hard goat cheese. You can also try sharp cheddar or Parmesan for a salty contrast.

So if you’re ready for a new experience, grab some red Bartlett or green Comice pears and start pairing them with these sublime cheeses – your tastebuds will thank you!

Brie

Brie is beloved for its distinct, mouthwatering flavor.

With a mild and creamy texture, brie has an almost buttery quality that melts on the tongue.

Notes of nuttiness and fruit counter the earthy notes underneath, giving it a complex yet subtle flavor profile.

This makes it incredibly versatile in cooking with endless pairing possibilities.

Pairing brie with fresh pears makes for a divine and unique combination!

The sweet crunch of the pear complements the smooth creaminess of the cheese nicely – creating an intriguing harmony of flavors on your taste buds.

To enhance this amazing duo further – add something salty to balance out such sweetness!

Chopped raw almonds are perfect – their nutty undertones bring out more complexity in both components while also adding some crispness to each bite.

Camembert

The unique flavor of camembert can be described as earthy, garlicky, nutty, milky, grassy or even fruity depending on how ripe it is.

Many say that it tastes bittersweet with subtle hints of mushroom and egg in each bite.

Pears make an excellent pairing for this type of cheese due to their sweetness being able to balance out the slightly pungent flavors of Camembert.

Slice up one large pear into thin wedges and accompany them with your favorite crackers or French bread along with some thinly sliced pieces

Goat cheese

Goat cheese often has a mild, earthy, buttery, and tart flavor profile.

These flavors become more complex as the cheese ripens and ages; the tartness becomes sharper while the overall earthiness of the cheese becomes even more pronounced.

Adding herbs or peppers before aged in some cases can add an even deeper layer of flavor to this already delicious cheese.

Pairing goat cheese with pears is a match made in heaven – their sweet yet delicate taste complements goat’s sharpness beautifully.

I like to include a bit of greens too for extra crunch!

For example, mix together arugula, sliced pear and some crumbled goat’s milk feta for an easy salad that packs lots of flavor.

Feta

Feta has a distinct flavor that adds a lot of depth to dishes.

It is mostly tangy, with hints of creaminess and saltiness.

The longer Feta cheese is aged, the more pronounced its salty, pepper notes become and the harder it becomes in texture.

Due to its sharpness, feta complements many ingredients naturally! Here’s one great pairing – feta and pears!

This combination features both soft—gelatinous pear flesh—and crunchy pieces—the salty-sharp feta crumbles.

To bring out all these remarkable sensations, you can combine fresh diced pears with mint leaves as toppings on pizzas or salads (in strips).

Pears also go really well with peppercorns, lemon juice or honey – any ingredient that roots in sweetness will be balanced out by your freshly crumbled feta cheese perfection!

Halloumi

Halloumi cheese is a truly unique and delicious flavor that you won’t find in any other type of cheese.

It has a mellow flavor yet it’s not boring, mildly feta-like, and notably tangy.

The taste won’t overpower your palette with its strong tanginess – rather the flavors blend together nicely to create something quite special.

Pairing halloumi cheese with pears is a great combination as they both bring out different flavors in each other.

Pears can be sweet while halloumi has more savory taste and when combined it creates an amazing balance of flavorful complexity that works really well together.

When making salads or platters, try experimenting with pomegranate kernels, roasted nuts like hazelnuts, mint leaves and honey drizzled over the top for added texture and sweetness – all complemented by the tasty Cheese behind them!

Cheddar

Cheddar cheese is a beloved variety that delivers a unique flavor experience.

There’s something special about the texture – it’s slightly buttery, moist, and melts in your mouth delightfully.

The flavor ranges as you explore different ages; mild Cheddars are smooth and semi-sweet in taste with just a hint of sharpness.

Conversely, an aged Cheddar will have acquired nuttier and more complex characteristics, crumblier texture and even tart finish.

During the aging process, small salt crystals will form on the inside which give each bite added crunchiness.

All this to say that Cheddar it is truly one of those crowd-pleasing cheeses every time!

Mascarpone

Mascarpone cheese is a soft Italian cream cheese with a mellow flavor, unlike its tangier counterparts.

Think of it as a delicious sweet, creamy spread that’s between cream cheese and ricotta.

It also closely resembles clotted cream or crème fraiche but without the tartness.

With its mild taste and smooth texture, mascarpone pairs excellently when combined into mousses and custards and can even transform simple desserts like brownies or cheesecake into something extremely special!

One idea for pairing this cheese with pears is to make an easy spicy pear compote and serve it with mascarpone cubes on top – yum!

1. Simply warm some butter in a pan until it foams then add thinly sliced pears (or apples) along with your favorite type of spices like ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, etc., then simmer until softened (approximately 8-10 minutes).
2. Once the pears are cooked, stir in some honey and fresh lemon juice before topping with mascarpone cubes and a sprinkle of toasted nuts.

Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola cheese is considered to be one of the oldest blue cheeses in existence.

This Italian favorite has a rich, creamy taste with a distinctively robust barnyard flavor.

Gorgonzola cheese is usually ripened and aged for around three months, during which time it develops a unique earthy aroma and distinctive notes of grass and fungus.

The texture can range from incredibly soft and creamy to semi-firm with tiny crumbly bits throughout.

It’s perfect for adding an extra punch of flavor to both savory dishes as well as cheeseboards and appetizers.

This full-flavored gouda pairs particularly well with sweet flavors such as honey or pears, making it an excellent addition when adding fruit slices like Red Anjou pears or Bosc Pears to any cheeseboard presentation – its salty undertone balances out the sweetness while adding layers of distinct and complex flavor.

Gorgonzola cheese can also be used in a variety of recipes, from cheese sauces and fondues to pizzas and pasta dishes.

Pecorino

Pecorino is a type of hard cheese, most notably Pecorino Romano.

While it may seem like Parmesan at first glance, these two types of cheese differ greatly from one another in both taste and texture.

Most notable are the differences in origin – Pecorino is made from sheep’s milk, which gives it a distinct flavor that can range from grassy and earthy flavors to even more pungent and acidic tastes depending on age.

It also tends to be slightly saltier than Parmesan due to the aromas inherited through aging in brine during the production process.

Pears and Pecorino have such an incredible contrast between sweet and salty that they make the perfect pairing when served together!

Use thinly sliced fresh pear as part of an Italian-style board with other antipasti options such as olives, artichokes, and cured meats – all complemented by a generous shaving of Pecorino Romano.

The tanginess of the cheese helps to bring out the sweetness of the pears and makes for a delicious snack!

Parmesan

Parmesan cheese has a distinct flavor – with its hard and gritty texture, it’s rich, nutty, and tangy in taste. And because of its complexity in flavor, it goes well with many dishes!

It can be consumed on its own as a snack or grated over pasta to elevate the flavors.

It can also be used as an inclusion for soups and risottos.

Parmesan cheese is aged for up to 2-4 years during processing which gives it a characteristically sharp flavor profile.

When pairing this cheese with pears you’ll get a bold delicious balance that no one else will expect at your lunch table or dinner party!

From pear slices topped onto crisp toast accompanied by thin flakes of parmesan; try boiling down ripe pears into syrup to drizzle onto bruschetta bread – finish off each piece with shaved evidence of the dietary delight to create alluring starters sure to please any palate.

For a main course, try adding parmesan to a creamy risotto with slices of pear – the nutty-salty taste of the cheese will bring an unexpected complexity to the dish.

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