You’ve probably heard about pairing wine with cheese, but what about pairing cheese and jam? Imagine hosting a cozy gathering where your cheese board becomes the talk of the night—all thanks to the perfect pairing of cheeses and jams. The two beautiful items are a match made in flavour heaven and can run the gamut, depending on the type of cheese and the type of jam, jelly, or spread. So where to begin?
Generally, you want assertive cheeses to match with assertive, sweeter jams and jellies. The same is true for mild, subtler cheeses: choose a spread that isn’t so strong as to overpower the cheese. When making a cheese board, choose a variety of jams and cheeses so that guests can mix and match to discover their favourite flavour pairing. Offer a selection of baguette slices, crackers, and crostini as the base for these delicious creations. Below, you’ll find our Farm Boy jams, jellies, and spread matched with some of our private label cheeses, as well as imported offerings we have in-store! Be sure to keep an eye on our flyer page for some extra-delicious deals, too!
Cheddar or Emmental Cheese paired with Strawberry Jam
Strawberry jam is a classic jam. It’s likely the one you’ll often slather on a PB & J or regularly stock in your fridge or pantry. Sweet, summery, and slightly floral, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Likewise, you can never go wrong with classic Cheddar or Emmental. Our Sharp Small Batch Cheddar is made by Canada’s oldest independent cheesemaker and features rich, nutty notes. Crumblier than a younger Cheddar, add some slices to a baguette with a dollop of our Strawberry Jam. Or, opt for a Swiss-made Emmental, made with raw milk and aged for a nutty flavour and slight acidity that complements the sweetness of strawberries.
Goat Cheese or White Stilton paired with Blueberry Jam
Sweet but slightly tangy, blueberry jam is well balanced enough to work with slightly older cheeses. With its robust berry flavour, we like it best with our Original Goat’s Milk Cheese, which has a soft, slightly crumbly texture and a smooth, tangy taste. If you’re looking for something even bolder, try Coombe Castle White Stilton. A milder Stilton than the regular blue, this imported cheese also has tart pops of dried cranberries, which echoes the flavour of the blueberries.
Camembert paired with Raspberry Jam
This is a pairing that’s about texture as well as flavour. Tart, slightly sweet raspberry jam has a toothsome appeal from the tiny seeds that pairs well with creamy Camembert. This milder, softer cheese offers a nice contrast that balances out those bright, juicy raspberries without overpowering them. A melted wedge of Camembert on a slice of crostini with a small spoonful of our Raspberry Jam is sure to be a symphony of flavours and textures.
Sharp Cheddar or Brebicet paired with Peach Jam
A very sweet option when it comes to jam, our Peach Jam needs a cheese that can handle it with a strong, sharp flavour of its own. Our Organic Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese is made with 100% Canadian organic milk and has bold, nutty notes with a slightly fruity finish. If you’d like to try something a little different, why not choose some Fromager d’Affinois Brebicet? A soft cheese made with sheep’s milk, it has a salty, zesty flavour with a slight bite. Pair either option with a neutral-flavoured cracker or slice of toasted baguette and enjoy!
Mascarpone or Appenzeller paired with Orange Marmalade
Pairing a cheese with citrusy marmalade can be a challenge. You want a cheese that won’t be overpowered by the zest and tang, but you also don’t want something too strong or sharp that will amplify marmalade’s bitter notes. Enter: Mascarpone. With its soft texture and naturally sweet flavour, our Mascarpone will amplify the delicate, bright flavours of our Orange Marmalade. You can also try it alongside Appenzeller. This cheese—made from raw cow’s milk—has an herbal spiciness reminiscent of ginger, which pairs beautifully with orange and other citrus.
Brie or Red Leicester or Black Truffle Brie paired with
Fig Jam
Many cheeses pair beautifully with fig jam. In fact, almost any of the cheeses on this list would be delicious alongside it on any cheese board! Some of our favourites, though, are our Double Cream Brie, as well as Coombe Castle Truckle and Fromager d’Affinois with Black Truffle. The slightly spicy and sweet flavour of figs works well with our buttery-smooth, locally-made Double Cream Brie. The Coombe Castle Truckle is a Red Leicester, which has a sweet, savoury, and nutty flavour. Its complexity means it can stand up to our Fig Jam. Or, perhaps you’re feeling extra-indulgent, in which case the Fromager d’Affinois with Black Truffle is an excellent choice. Soft and creamy with an intense kick of truffle, this style of Brie is made for figs!
Ricotta Cheese paired with Red Pepper Jelly
You don’t want the flavours of our Red Pepper Jelly to battle with a strong cheese and overwhelm your palate. Likewise, you don’t totally want too mellow a cheese to be swallowed up by the spiciness of this spread, either. The best course of action here is to pick something mild but creamy, with a chameleon-like ability to work in both sweet and savoury applications. The perfect choice, of course, is our Ricotta. Made locally with 100% Canadian dairy, this soft, fresh cheese has a rich, luxurious texture and can temper the heat without neutralizing it entirely.
Cheddar paired wth Tangerine & Red Chili Jelly
Spicy, sweet, bright, and tangy, our Tangerine & Red Chili Jelly has it all (which is why it’s a customer favourite). It needs a cheese that can match its complexity and robust flavour. Our English Cheddar is up to the task! Handcrafted using traditional methods, this Cheddar is rich and tangy with a smooth texture. Try it with the jelly on some toothsome wheat crackers! Or, go for Coombe Castle Sherwood Gold. Also a Cheddar, it has a smoky flavour with a bit or earthiness and touch of spice, which echoes the jelly’s flavour.
Brie or Goat Cheese paired with Cranberry, Port, & Pecan Compote
There’s not much guesswork when it comes to pairing this compote. Right on the label, it lets our customers know that it “complements Brie, Camembert, and other soft ripened cheeses”. We recommend our Triple Cream Brie and Original Goat’s Milk Cheese for this flavourful spread. Our Triple Cream Brie is creamy, smooth, and buttery, with a fresh flavour and just a hint of tang. For something a little more robust, our Original Goat’s Milk Cheese has extra tanginess, but it still soft and creamy for a luscious bite.
Aged Cheddar paired with Caramelized Onion & Balsamic Compote
With a natural sweetness from the caramelized onions and balsamic vinegar, this complex condiment does well with an equally interesting cheese. Our Organic 3-Year-Old Cheddar has a slightly crumbly texture and a pronounced flavour with a fruity finish. Its mature taste means it can handle this vibrant spread. Our Caramelized Onion & Balsamic Compote also works beautifully with Coombe Castle Black Beauty. Another mature Cheddar, it has long-lasting, nutty notes that work in harmony with the compote sweet, slightly spicy flavour.
Gruyère or Mimolette paired with Mango Chutney
Sweet and juicy with a little bit of heat, our Sweet Mango Chutney needs a strong cheese that won’t get lost in all that tropical flavour. Fortunately, our Gruyère is ready for the job. Made in St. Marys, Ontario, this cheese is rich and creamy with a distinctively salty flavour that needs something sweet to balance it. Even more beautiful when melted, try this pair on a toasted slice of crostini. You could also try pairing this chutney with Mimolette, an aged French cheese that is drier with a fruity, nutty flavour. The juiciness of this mango chutney adds some extra oomph to this vibrantly-hued cheese.
Red Leicester paired with Tomato Chutney
Rich and nutty, our imported Red Leicester is made from grass-fed cow’s milk and hand-crafted with traditional methods. This style of cheese is slightly flaky and has a slightly sweet quality that is enhanced when paired with our Spicy Tomato Chutney. The acidity in this condiment cuts through the richness of the cheese without overpowering it or making too strong a flavour combo. Try this pairing on our Artisan Crackers for a hint of something sweet.
Fig Goat Cheese or Truffle Cheddar paired with Buckwheat Honey
Rich, dark, and fragrant, our Buckwheat Honey has a robust flavour that needs a cheese to match. Choose slices of baguette or wheat crackers and add wedges of our Fig Goat’s Milk Cheese for an unforgettable tasting experience. Creamy and tangy, the flavour of the goat cheese is enhanced with the spicy sweetness of figs, which harmonizes perfectly with the complex taste of buckwheat honey. Or, choose to mellow, creamy flavour of Coombe Castle Truffle Noir. A mature Cheddar, it has an earthy, indulgent flavour that heightens the floral notes in the honey.
Brie or Gruyère paired with White Honey
Enjoy an intricate burst of flavour when you drizzle our Pure Ontario Honey over a warmed wheel or wedge of our Double or Triple Cream Brie. Buttery, smooth, and so creamy, this is a charcuterie classic. The mellow texture and flavour of these Bries help this Ontario honey shine with its simple, slightly floral flavour. You can also try it paired with Kaltbach Creamy, a cheese with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that would work well sliced with a rustic loaf of bread and a drizzle of honey.
Buffalo Mozzarella paired with Hot Honey
Gentle and creamy with a plump, elastic texture, our Buffalo Mozzarella has a delicious fresh flavour. Try slicing it for the next time you’re crafting a homemade pizza (we have a light, chewy Frozen Pinsa Dough for just that). Finish your gourmet pizza creation with a drizzle of our Hot Honey for a seriously tasty experience. Made in Ontario in small batches with just two ingredients, it has a sweet and spicy flavour profile that makes anything it touches absolutely addictive. Go ahead, give it a drizzle!
Smoked Cheddar paired with Smoky Honey
Delicately salty with a pronounced smoky flavour, this Double Smoked Cheddar is aged for at least six months before being smoked on apple wood. An aromatic choice for any cheeseboard, we recommend trying it on our Baguette Crisps for a crunch that complements its smooth, velvety texture. Add extra smoky flavour rounded out with sweetness with our Smoky Honey. With a rich, almost savoury background flavour thanks to the addition of onion and garlic, this honey is a gourmet foodie’s dream.
