Cheeseboards - The Ultimate Pairing Guide

When it comes to perfecting the ultimate cheeseboard, there isn't anywhere that does it better than the West Country (in our humble opinion!). Theoretically, you can't really go wrong pairing a cheese with a chutney if you enjoy both flavours however we thought a cheese pairing guide would be useful!

Here at The Cornish Larder, we've been crafting and perfecting chutney flavours for the past 8 and a half years. From the absolute cupboard staple that is our Caramelised Onion Chutney to our bestselling product of all time, the Chilli Jam, a good-quality chutney can turn a pretty basic cheeseboard into the most irresistible one. 

Caramelised Onion Chutney made with Keltek Ale paired with Cheddar

Starting with one that most likely everybody knows, this one has that West Country twist. If you've got yourself a jar of our onion chutney, the last thing you want to do is waste such a yummy chutney on some bog-standard cheese.

For the cheddar, our go-to is Davidstow. Made using the 'best milk in all the land' due to the microclimate that Cornwall has (aka more rainfall, and slightly warmer temps), the cows are able to graze for longer, producing milk that is much richer in butterfat compared to other areas of the UK.

Davidstow offers 4 different varieties of cheddar. They have their classic, which is aged for 12 months; the Crackler (24 months); Reserve (30 months); and their Special Reserve (60 months). 

My personal favourite is the Classic!

Beetroot Relish with Cornish Yarg

Whilst Beetroot relish is most commonly paired with goat's cheese (more on that later), we love to pair it with Cornish Yarg. 

The creaminess of the Yarg pairs incredibly well with the earthy flavours of the beetroot relish. Whilst our Beetroot relish has the twist of the Cornish Mead, Lynher Dairies (producers of Cornish Yarg) asked us to produce a bespoke Beetroot relish for them which can be found here.

Now back to the OG of beetroot pairings, Goat's Cheese. The earthy sweetness of the beetroot beautifully complements the tangy, creamy notes of the goat's cheese. The relish also adds a touch of acidity and texture, which cuts through the richness of the cheese and keeps every bite fresh and vibrant.

Delicious on a cheeseboard, even more so in a sandwich!

Fennel, Lemon & Tarragon Relish celebrating Fishermen's Mission

This unique flavour is the dark horse of our range in our eyes! It has the most incredibly fresh flavour to it, thanks to the beautifully light ingredients we put in it such as pears and celery. 

This flavour is a perfect match for Stilton, bringing brightness and freshness to balance the cheese’s rich, creamy character. The lemon’s gentle acidity cuts through the depth of the Stilton, while fennel adds a subtle sweetness and delicate crunch.

Chilli Jam made with Cornish Chillies paired with Brie

Soft, buttery brie calls for a pairing with a bit of warmth and sweetness and our Chilli Jam is just that. Made with Cornish grown chillies, the jam has a glossy, sticky sweetness up front that gives way to gentle, building heat, rather than an aggressive kick.

For the best of it, take the brie out 30-35 mins before serving, or bake it whole for 10-15 mins for the most perfect gooey sharing board showstopper.

I can personally confirm that brie and chilli jam are an absolute dream of a combo!!

Spiced Apple Chutney with St Ives Cider paired with Cornish Gouda

Rounding off our cheeseboard is our Spiced Apple chutney pairing with Cornish Gouda. Before we go in to why it pairs beautifully, it's important we dive in to the story of how Cornish Gouda came to be.

Cornish Gouda is hand-crafted on the Spierings' family dairy farm in Cornwall. Originally dairy farmers, Giel and his family diversified in to producing Gouda when poor milk prices meant they could no longer afford to run the business as it was. 

Now, Cornish Gouda can be found in the majority of Cornish farm shops as well as deli's and restaurants across the UK.

So why does it go well with the Apple Chutney?

Gouda is a firm, nutty cheese that develops caramel-like notes as it matures. Those mellow, sweeter flavours, work beautifully well with the cooked apples and warm spices that are blended in to our chutney.

If you're feeling inspired to try some different flavour combinations, our Cheese Board Collection is the perfect place to start. It features a delicious selection of chutneys, including our Spiced Apple Chutney, a Chilli Jam, and a Caramelised Onion Chutney—each carefully chosen to complement a variety of cheeses such as the ones in this blog!