Tips for Pairing Nuts & Cheese for Your Next Party
Peanut butter and jelly. Macaroni and cheese. Avocado and toast. Bacon and eggs. What do these favorite foods have in common? We’ll give you a hint: iconic pairings. These dynamic duos are remarkably renowned for basically being in love with each other, so much so that their soulmate combination is a notable balance of complementary flavor and texture—or perfectly contrasting opposites.
Similarly, various nuts and cheeses are naturally-born allies meant to be together. This magnetic pairing is ideal for any setting—from casual snacking to smaller gatherings to fancier shindigs. If a social function or special occasion is in your distant future, here are a few tips for pairing nuts and cheese for your next party.
SERVE CHEESE AND NUTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
First things first, cheese and nut pairings taste best at room temperature. Keep in mind that bringing cheese to room temperature helps to loosen up the fat, so this process augments the texture and flavor. Some cheeses fair better than others in warmer temps, so plan wisely before the chaos of the party arrives, and remove your selected nibbles from the fridge at the right time for plating or placing on a charcuterie. Nobody desires moist, sweaty cheese canapes or chilled-to-the-bone bites.
On the other hand, nuts can go rancid in warmer temps, as they contain a higher concentration of oil. Your best bet for freshness is refrigeration in an airtight container. Before serving, you can toast them on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or give them a spin in the microwave for a minute—superior crispness awaits.
COMPLEMENT AND CONTRAST: SWEETNESS WITH SALTINESS
Out of all the tips for pairing nuts and cheese for your next party, remember to keep complementary medleys at the forefront. Throwing various cheesy and nutty profiles on a platter is beside the point. Instead, to fully engage multiple senses, play up contrast. That said, don’t forget to pair like with like, pairing duos that share similar flavor profiles.
Certain cheeses are unequivocally better with certain types of nuts. Favorable examples include sharp cheddar with spicy nuts, manchego with roasted almonds, blue cheese with candied walnuts or buttery cashews, parmesan with pistachios, and bold cheeses with pecans.
HAVE A LITTLE FUN WITH THE UNEXPECTED
The crunch of nuts and the creaminess of the cheese make for a match made in heaven. There is no wrong way to consume this dynamic duo, so feel free to experiment with different combinations. Simply serve what you like, put a creative twist on it, and don’t stress too much about the winning combo.
If you’re in the market for quality and versatile party nuts, shop the variety available at Jaybee’s Nuts. You can buy cashews online or opt for almonds, pecans, pistachios, or any other mixed nut variations. We encourage you to browse the entire collection to find the ideal product suitable to your liking and tastes.