Chocolate and cheese: an unlikely duo or a culinary masterpiece?

While many might scoff at the idea, this pairing has been delighting taste buds for centuries—from Colombia’s beloved hot chocolate with melty cheese to rich, umami-packed chocolate truffle creations.

So, why haven’t more people embraced it?

At first glance, chocolate and cheese seem like polar opposites. One is creamy and savoury, the other smooth and sweet. Yet when combined thoughtfully, they create an unexpectedly harmonious balance of flavours and textures.

Think brie and grapes or Wensleydale with cranberries—sweet and savoury working in perfect unity.

This blog explores the science, history, and best pairing combinations, while providing expert tips to create your own chocolate and cheese tasting experience.

The Science Behind Chocolate and Cheese Pairings

At a molecular level, chocolate and cheese have a surprising amount in common:

Rich in fats – Fat carries and enhances flavour, creating a creamy mouthfeel in both chocolate and cheese.

Fermentation – Cheese ferments through bacteria and enzymes, while chocolate ferments through yeasts during cocoa processing, developing complex umami notes.

Shared flavour compounds – Nutty, earthy, tangy, and caramel-like notes appear in both aged cheeses and high-quality chocolates, making them natural pairing partners.

Aged cheeses often pair beautifully with high-percentage dark chocolates, while creamy, tangy cheeses work surprisingly well with the sweetness of white chocolate.

Abergavenny Foods: The Inspiration Behind This Blog

My journey into chocolate and cheese pairings took a fascinating turn when Tim Whitehead from Abergavenny Foods approached me with a challenge. Their corporate clients were accustomed to receiving cheese baskets for Valentine’s Day, but this year, they wanted something innovative that still celebrated cheese.

I proposed a goat cheese and white chocolate truffle, infused with sriracha and rolled in cocoa and chilli powder.

The goal wasn’t just to blend sweet and savoury but to layer textures and flavours in a way that felt balanced and luxurious.

Crisp, tempered white chocolate contrasted beautifully with the creamy, tangy goat cheese centre.

A touch of butter enhanced smoothness and shelf life.

Sriracha provided gentle warmth, deepening the flavour profile without overpowering.

When we unveiled the truffles, the reaction was priceless. Clients who were initially sceptical found themselves reaching for another bite, proving that great flavour combinations sometimes come from the most unexpected places.

Chocolate and Cheese Around the World
Colombia’s “Chocolate con Queso”

In Colombia, hot chocolate with cheese is a cherished tradition. Cubes of mild cheese (such as mozzarella or Chihuahua cheese) are placed in a mug, then topped with hot chocolate.

As the cheese melts, it creates a rich, savoury-sweet combination, often enjoyed with bread for dipping.

This proves that cheese and chocolate aren’t just an experimental pairing—they’ve been enjoyed together for generations!

The Best Chocolate and Cheese Pairings
Dark Chocolate (70%+)

Dark chocolate’s depth, slight bitterness, and fruity notes make it ideal for pairing with strong, aged cheeses.

Mature Cheddar – The umami-rich sharpness of aged cheddar balances the deep cocoa notes of dark chocolate. Try it on a tasting board with dried fruits and nuts.

Camembert – Melted camembert drizzled with 70% dark chocolate creates an indulgent fondue-style experience.

Parmesan – The nutty, salty intensity of Parmesan pairs beautifully with 85% dark chocolate and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Milk Chocolate (40-50%)

Milk chocolate’s smooth, creamy sweetness makes it a great match for mild, buttery cheeses.

Brie – Bake a wheel of brie with milk chocolate pieces and nuts for a gooey, indulgent treat.

Ricotta – Whisk melted milk chocolate with ricotta and vanilla extract to create a luxurious dip for fruit or biscuits.

Gouda – With its caramel-like notes, gouda pairs beautifully with milk chocolate in a toasted sandwich or melted as a fondue.

White Chocolate

White chocolate’s delicate sweetness and creamy texture make it ideal for pairing with tangy or umami-rich cheeses.

Goat’s Cheese (with Sriracha!) – As I discovered with my Abergavenny Foods project, the tangy richness of goat cheese is stunning with white chocolate. A subtle chilli heat enhances the pairing even more.

Blue Cheese – Crumbled blue cheese with a drizzle of melted white chocolate is an unexpected but bold contrast.

Brie – Top a baked brie with melted white chocolate, berries, and nuts for a beautifully balanced dessert.

How to Create Your Own Chocolate and Cheese Pairings

If you’re feeling adventurous, here’s how to experiment with your own pairings:

Match textures – Soft cheeses go well with smooth, creamy chocolate, while firmer cheeses pair nicely with chocolate that has a good snap.

Consider intensity – Mild cheeses suit sweeter chocolates, while stronger cheeses need the complexity of dark chocolate.

Think about contrast – A good pairing balances sweet, savoury, and umami without one element overpowering the other.

Bonus Ideas to Try

Chocolate and Cheese Tasting Board – Serve high-quality chocolate with different cheeses, dried fruits, nuts, and honey for balance.

Chocolate-Infused Cheese Fondue – A dark chocolate and Gruyère fondue brings savoury and sweet together in an unforgettable way.

Chocolate and Cheese Truffles – Inspired by my goat cheese creation, experiment with mascarpone, blue cheese, or even feta in your next chocolate truffle recipe.

The Art and Science of Tasting

Tasting chocolate and cheese involves engaging all your senses:

Look – Observe the cheese’s appearance, including its colour, rind, and texture. Quality chocolate should have a glossy shine.

Smell – Take in the aromas. Chocolate ranges from caramel to coffee notes, while cheese offers nutty, tangy, or even mouldy undertones.

Taste – Note the texture and mouthfeel. Good chocolate melts smoothly, and quality cheese provides a rich, pleasing experience.

Finish – Pay attention to how the flavours evolve and linger on the palate.

Final Thoughts: A Surprising Yet Delightful Pairing

My experience with Tim Whitehead and Abergavenny Foods reinforced what I already suspected—chocolate and cheese are a match made in heaven.

Whether you’re trying a simple square of dark chocolate with a bite of cheddar or crafting an elegant goat cheese and white chocolate truffle, there’s so much to explore in this unexpected combination.

So, are you ready to give it a try? I’d love to hear your favourite pairings—or better yet, why not put together a tasting board this weekend and see what surprises you?

What’s Your Favourite Chocolate and Cheese Pairing?

Have you ever tried chocolate and cheese together? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag me in your pairing experiments—I’d love to see what you create!