Culture Magazine

16 culturecheesemag.com C H E E S E+ 202 2 C H E E S E+ Monger Matchups FROM FR EN CH FR IE S TO FRU I T JA M S , CH EE S E MO N G ER S S H A R E T H EIR FAVO R I T E PA IR IN G S co m p i l e d by S U S A N S H E R R I L L A XE L RO D "T he whole is greater than the sum of its parts," is sometimes used to describe the goal of cheese pairings. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the phrase Aristotle penned. What the great philosopher wrote in his Metaphysics, nearly 2,400 years ago, was "the whole is something besides the parts." But since we're concerned with cheese, not systems energy, we're going to take the incorrect translation and run with it. What is a perfect cheese pairing? At the Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI), it's defined as a combination where the flavors come together in harmony, and which elevates without obscuring the cheese. With this in mind, we asked five cheesemongers to share their go-to or especially memorable pairings. c "One of my favorite pairings has to be toasted brioche with butter and cinnamon sugar, topped with Fourme d'Ambert blue cheese and Door County dried cherries. It's just the perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and earthiness. Perfect for breakfast or dessert. You can even add some dark chocolate or have it with a nice whiskey old fashioned." —Jacqueline Rouleau Village Cheese Shop | Milwaukee, Wis. "I enjoy a peppadew pepper stuffed with Saint Agur blue cheese. The sweet and spiciness of the peppadew with the creaminess and rich, full flavor of Saint Agur goes so well together. I pair that with a nice cup of Zabar's blend coffee sweetened with brown sugar—delicious." —Marie Colas Zabar's | New York, N.Y. "Taleggio and Dulce de Tomate (tomato jam) is a killer pairing. We love washed-rind cheese, and Taleggio is a staple at Cork and Rind. Sweet accompaniments work well with this slightly funky cheese including fruit or honey. We found the sweet and savory flavors of Dulce de Tomate not only balance the funk, but also amplify the umami flavors we crave in Taleggio. Toast up locally sourced sourdough, spread some of the tomato jam, and top with a healthy slice of Taleggio. Serve with Barbera or dry Lambrusco. (Note: Dulce de Tomate is easily made at home but there are some decent store-bought options, including Mitica's Portuguese-style version.)" —Michael Kinney Cork and Rind | St. Charles, Mo. PHOTO: helgafo/Adobe Stock

• Cover