Culture Magazine

BEGINNINGS 2024 culturecheesemag.com 9 CHEESE BITES Around the Board written by Ashia Aubourg 1 Essie Spice TamarindOH! is sweet and tangy, thanks to its fusion of tamarind, guava, ginger, and vanilla. Paying homage to West Af rican culinary staples, the company partners with Ghanaian farmers to use the f reshest ingredients in their blends. Balance this spread's bold flavor with mildly salty, creamy cheeses that have squeaky textures, like Armenian string cheese or a f resh cow's milk mozzarella. 2 Sustainably produced Moonshot Rosemary Garlic Crackers are airy and crispy, and these savory, herb-laced bites made with fermented rye flour and stone-milled heirloom wheat deserve a spot on your cheese plate. Try pairing with a spreadable vegan cheese (Nuts For Cheese's Super Blue gives decadent, piquant vibes) and wash it all down with a ref reshing glass of f ruit-forward Pinot Grigio. 3 Oprah listed this spread as one of her favorite things, so take notice. Zach & Zoë's Creamed Orange Blossom Honey is entirely raw, nixing added sugars, wax, and pesticides. It's mild with a smooth, velvety, decadent mouthfeel, and is ideal for topping various cheeses. Try smearing this candied mixture on a slab of Calcagno or Bellwether Farms San Andreas for sweet-and-salty, caramelly bites. 4 Thanks to its bright flavors, Avec's Spiced Mango and Passionfruit Carbonated Mixer will transport you to a tropical oasis. This thirstquencher fuses mango, passionf ruit, pineapple, oak extract, lime, almond, and chili for a sweet sip packed with a bit of heat. Pair it with a creamy chèvre to balance the drink's sugar-and-spice notes. 5 Reminiscent of fudgy truffles, It's NOLA's Dark Decadent Chewy Chocolate will remind you of a gooey brownie in bite-sized, candy form. The main ingredient is dates, which provide a sweet and earthy flavor profile. When building a board, try pairing with a bandage-wrapped or aged cheddar for a soft, crunchy texture and a lusciously sweet, salty flavor.

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