What Goes Well with a Cheese Plate?

The best pairing for a cheese plate is walnuts and honey, which add a sweet counterpoint to salty cheese. Sharp cheeses such as tulum work well with a drizzle of honey, while milder cheeses such as kashar pair nicely with walnuts or fig jam. Fresh or dried fruit is another good accompaniment: grapes, apples, and dried apricots add a refreshing contrast to the cheese's salty flavor. This trio of cheese, nuts, and fruit is one of the most common cheese plate arrangements on Turkish tables. In Turkey, a cheese plate is usually served at breakfast or as a meze at the start of a meal; in French cuisine, it is served as a separate course before dessert. In these two traditions, the same principle applies: cheese is balanced with sweet and savory ingredients.

Which Sweet Accompaniments Go with Which Cheeses?

Sharp, salty cheeses such as tulum and goat cheese pair best with honey, whose sweetness softens the cheese's sharpness. Milder cheeses such as kashar take on a touch of sweetness when paired with fig or apricot jam.

How to Choose Nuts

Walnuts are the most common nut on cheese plates because they pair well with almost any cheese. Almonds have a more neutral flavor, so they are often served with milder cheeses. Hazelnuts are a good addition, especially to plates that include honey.

Drink Pairings

Red grape juice or lightly brewed tea is often served with a cheese plate. A refreshing drink complements sharp cheeses, while a lighter option rounds out milder cheeses such as kashar.

Bread and Crackers

Thinly sliced baguette or unsalted crackers add a crisp texture without changing the cheese's flavor. Salted crackers are less common because, together with salty cheese, they can make the plate taste too salty.

How Many Cheeses Should You Serve?

A cheese plate is usually made with 3–4 different cheeses: one soft, one sharp, and one medium-firm. This variety lets you try the honey and jam with different cheeses.

How Does the Jam Affect the Cheese?

Fig jam adds intense sweetness alongside sharp cheeses, while apricot jam is lighter and pairs more evenly with neutral varieties such as white cheese. Rose jam adds a delicate floral note, especially when served with Turkish lor cheese, a fresh whey cheese. Less common varieties, such as tomato jam, can pair surprisingly well with kashar cheese, creating a sweet-savory balance.

Why Does Serving Temperature Matter?

Cheese served straight from the refrigerator does not show its full flavor. Taking it out about half an hour before serving lets it come closer to room temperature. This wait especially enhances the flavor of sharper cheeses. In warm weather, the time can be shortened because the cheese reaches room temperature faster; in winter, allow the full half hour of rest so the cheese does not remain cold and bland.