Tart and earthy flavor, the taste of goat cheese can also range from gamey and tangy to mild and lightly sweet depending on the maker and quality. Though it closely resembles the texture of cream cheese, it is sometimes considered to be saltier than feta.
As a result, goat cheese pairs well with meat and fruit for sweet or savory dishes. If you are looking for a light and simple dessert or appetizer filled with refreshing flavor, consider to serve goat cheese with variety of fresh fruit.
What fruit goes well with goat cheese? Goat cheese tastes the best with sour or sweet cherries, figs, lemon, orange, and strawberries. However, it can be paired with other stone fruit including pears, pomegranate, and persimmons for intricate flavor.
When pairing goat cheese with berries, select a milder goat cheese. If the goat cheese is too strong of flavor, adding lemon zest or juice can help the acidity cut the fattiness of the goat cheese.
A board filled with an assortment of fruits with goat cheese is great way to prepare an easy and healthy appetizer or dessert without making the guests too full. So, what fruits should be accompanied by goat cheese?
This article goes into detail about what fruits to pair goat cheese with. Answered below are frequently asked questions about pairing goat cheese with fruit and what are the best flavor combinations.
What flavor goes well with goat cheese?
To make any slice of goat cheese taste better, acknowledge that there are certain fruit combination such as chopped tomato, sweet strawberries or juicy watermelon. The juice from fruit produce and add a nice balance to the tangy flavor of the goat cheese without resulting runny or mushy consistency.
Here is fruit flavor combination that goes well with goat cheese:
- goat cheese + pears + almonds + honey
- goat cheese + cherries + thyme
- goat cheese + orange zest + fennel seeds + pasta
- goat cheese + persimmons + honey
What goes well with goat cheese?
Goat cheese blends perfectly with fruit, vegetables, nuts, spices, meats, wine, and many more. When paired correctly, there won’t be “goaty” taste nor too strong of flavor that disturb the whole experience.
- Fruit: green apples, dried apricots, blackberries, sour or sweet cherries, dried cranberries, dates, grapes, lemon, orange, dried or fresh pears, raspberries, strawberries
- Vegetables: red bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, chives, fennel, garlic, olives, green onions, potatoes, shallots
- Nuts: walnuts, pinenuts, pistachios, pecans, almonds
- Herbs and Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, black and white pepper, sage, thyme, tarragon, vanilla, star anise, parsley
- Meats: eggs, salami, prosciutto
- Wine: white bordeaux, cabernet franc, chablis, regular or rosé champagne, Pouilly-Fumé, Sancerre, sauvignon blanc, sparkling wine
- Beer: belgian, saison, wheat beer with aged goat cheese
- Cheese: parmesan, ricotta, cheddar cheese
- Bread: whole wheat with or without nuts, olives and/or raisins, crackers
Why does fruit go well with goat cheese?
The sweetness of fruit and saltiness of goat cheese are the main reason for the complementary pairing. Fruits bring out specific notes in this type of cheese the benefit the sweet and salty contrast, which is why goat cheese pairs so well with fruit.
Imagine devouring sweet-juiciness with savory-saltiness, or better yet, soft with firm or candy-like versus nutty? Sounds heavenly, right?
Pair goat cheese with fruits such as oranges, olives, cherries, green apples, crackers, and dried apricots. Also, it blends perfectly well with figs, walnuts, strawberries, pears, grapes, dates, or almonds.
Is goat cheese goes with apples?
Yes, goat cheese goes with apples. In fact, goat cheese and apples form an irresistible pair of savory and sweet, especially with sour or green apples.
The tart flavor and crispy texture in green apples with the saltiness of the goat cheese is a match made in heaven. Interestingly, there’s no need to worry about the apple variety since they all form the perfect duo with goat cheese.
Whether the apple is fresh or roasted, pair with aged goat cheese for distinctive after-dinner dessert. On the other hand, apple pairs well with pretty much any cheese from cheddar cheese to ricotta cheese, so you really can’t go wrong.
Goat Cheese and Fruit Pairing Chart
The best fruits to pair with cheese are apples, grapes, berries, dried apricots, pears, dates, figs, dates and cherries.
Here is a chart that can help in pairing goat cheese and fruit:
| Fruit | Flavor |
| Apples: granny smith, gala, honeycrisp or fuji | Use an assortment of apples. The granny smith apples are crisp and tart, thus pair perfectly with a creamy and tangy goat cheese. |
| Pears | Pears have some mild flavor, making it a star when it comes to goat cheese. |
| Grapes: red and green seedless grapes | Grapes will add some crunch and sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creaminess of goat cheese. |
| Berries: strawberries, raspberries or blackberry | For the ultimate sweetness, try adding some berries to the goat cheese. |
| Apricots: dried or fresh | Apricots are renowned for their sweetness. Fresh apricots are the best since they are soft, but dried go well on a charcuterie board with honey and nuts. |
| Dates | Dates are natures candy since they are so naturally sweet. Try some to cut through the saltiness of goat cheese. |
| Oranges | A burst of citrus will do the goat cheese so much good. Zest, juice or supremes work well. |
Fruit With Goat Cheese: Conclusion
Are you looking forward to impressing your guests the next time they come over for a meal? Well, why not try a combo of goat cheese and fruits; they blend perfectly, effortlessly and will with no doubt keep everyone talking.
Whether it is fresh or aged goat cheese, it pairs best with cherries, figs, lemon or orange juice, and strawberries. Also, dried fruit including apricots, cranberries, and pears works well too.
In general, goat cheeses tart, lightly sweetness with touch of tangy flavor complements well with fruit. Some fruit that have high water content are a great option to balance the sweet and saltiness.
If you are looking to add apple to pair with goat cheese on a toast or cracker, select green apples because they have a crisp texture and tart taste that pairs magically with goat cheese.
When preparing a luxurious after dinner dessert or fruity appetizer, use these flavor combination and goat cheese and fruit pairing chart so that you and your guests enjoy every bite.