Cheese is a versatile and widely cherished ingredient in diverse recipes. The creamy, tangy and savoury flavour lends to a range of dishes, from Italian to Mexican recipes. Whether you want to make a charcuterie board or sandwiches, you have diverse cheese types to choose from. Different cheeses are made from varying milk types, ageing times and methods, giving them a unique flavour. Some of the different types of cheese include:

Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese takes the lead if you are looking for a crowd-pleaser. It originates from England and dates back to the 12th century. It’s a mild cheese made from cow’s milk, which is curdled and prepared for the cheddar process. The moisture removal allows its acidity to shine through, while the ageing process gives it a buttery and nutty flavour profile that’s perfect for pairing with a chicken burrito recipe or Mexican beef tacos.

Gouda cheese: Get a taste of the oldest cheese with gouda cheese. The Dutch cheese has a distinct yellow colour and is made from cow’s milk. The ageing process determines the flavour profiles. For instance, young gouda is creamy and soft with a mild buttery taste. Crystalised gouda is nutty with a hint of butterscotch and caramelisation. Aside from adding it to cheesecakes, it can be served with crackers or over a warm bowl of pasta.

Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese is hard with a nutty flavour and granular texture. It is available in two primary varieties, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parmesan. As a culinary staple in Italian recipes, it makes an appearance in pasta dishes, Caesar salad recipes and soups.

Feta cheese: Want to add a Greek touch to your pasta or risotto recipes? Feta cheese is what you need to give your soups or baked pasta dishes a rich and creamy texture. Authentic feta comes from goat and sheep milk. After curdling, the mixture is submerged in brine, making the taste pronounced. Like other white cheeses, feta doesn't melt quickly, and you need to crumble it to add tanginess to your cucumbers and tomatoes.

While you can enjoy cheese on its own, combining it with other ingredients creates tasty flavours. Learning how to select the perfect pairings for your cheese helps you find delicious pairings. Before choosing a pairing for your cheese, understand its flavour profile to ensure the dish complements the cheese flavour to enhance the taste. If you are preparing a charcuterie board, the textures of the cheese are important. For instance, you need to combine hard and soft cheeses with crunchy nuts and crackers to create a delightful contrast. Some of the food types to pair with cheese include:

Fruit and vegetables: Dried and fresh fruits add a pop of colour to cheese platters and improve the taste. The rich and creamy cheese consistency balances out the sweetness in dried fruits, creating a delicious snack. For instance, you can pair sliced peaches with Gruyere or dried dates with blue cheese. You can also pair raw veggies like sliced radish from your meal kits with bold cheeses.

Meats: A cheese and meat platter is the easiest way to entertain your friends with minimal effort. Some of the must-try cheese and meat pairings include salami and gouda. Salami is a crowd-favourite charcuterie ingredient, which gives the semi-hard cheese a delicious twist. If you love parmesan cheese, pair it with a creamy prosciutto recipe.

Granola: Cheese and granola seem like an unlikely match, but it is a delicious contrast. Granola's crunchy texture and sweet and nutty flavour pair well with the soft and creamy texture of cheese. For instance, granola with nutty Gouda or soft goat cheese makes your breakfast delicious.