The Ultimate Bread and Cheese Board: A Regional Pairing Guide
Few things are as satisfying as the perfect marriage of fresh, warm homemade bread and a thoughtfully curated selection of cheeses to fire off all your senses. The complex flavors and textures of artisan bread pair beautifully with a variety of cheeses, making it the ideal base for an unforgettable cheese board.
To celebrate the diversity of American cheese-making, we’ve selected two standout cheeses from each of the four major regions of the U.S. that complement different types of bread.
Northeast
1. Jasper Hill Farm Harbison (Vermont) – This soft-ripened cheese has a rich, spoonable texture with hints of woodsy, sweet cream and mushroom. Spread it over a warm slice of rustic country bread for a decadent bite.
2. Cabot Clothbound Cheddar (Vermont) – Aged to perfection, this crumbly yet creamy cheddar has nutty, caramelized notes that balance the mild acidity of a seeded baguette.
Northeast
1. Jasper Hill Farm Harbison (Vermont) – This soft-ripened cheese has a rich, spoonable texture with hints of woodsy, sweet cream and mushroom. Spread it over a warm slice of rustic country bread for a decadent bite.
2. Cabot Clothbound Cheddar (Vermont) – Aged to perfection, this crumbly yet creamy cheddar has nutty, caramelized notes that balance the mild acidity of a seeded baguette.
Southeast
1. Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill (Georgia) – This bloomy rind cheese offers a buttery, mild flavor with a slight tang, making it a fantastic pairing for toasted ciabatta.
2. Sequatchie Cove Cumberland (Tennessee) – A semi-soft, washed-rind cheese with nutty and fruity undertones that elevate the rustic character of whole-grain bread.
Midwest
1. Pleasant Ridge Reserve (Wisconsin) – Inspired by alpine cheeses, this nutty, slightly sweet cheese has a firm texture that melts beautifully over a warm piece of sourdough alternative.
2. Prairie Breeze Cheddar (Iowa) – A well-aged white cheddar with a touch of sweetness and a crystalline crunch, offering a delightful contrast to a soft brioche or light wheat loaf.
West
1. Rogue River Blue (Oregon) – This award-winning blue cheese is wrapped in grape leaves soaked in pear brandy, giving it an earthy, slightly boozy depth that pairs excellently with dark rye bread.
2. Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam (California) – A triple-cream cheese with a luscious, buttery texture that complements a crisp baguette or buttery croissant.
Perfect Pairings for Your Bread and Cheese Board
To add a little life and colors to your board, consider a few of these accompaniments:
Condiments: Locally sourced honey for sweetness, fruit preserves such as fig or apricot jam for a touch of tartness, and whole grain mustard to enhance the savory depth of the cheeses.
Crunch: Toasted almonds, spiced pecans, or roasted hazelnuts for texture contrast, along with crispy artisan crackers or grissini breadsticks for an extra crunch.
Other fresh elements: Sliced apples and pears for a refreshing contrast, juicy grapes to balance the saltiness, crisp cucumber slices for a cool bite, and cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweetness and acidity.
Final Thoughts
1. Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill (Georgia) – This bloomy rind cheese offers a buttery, mild flavor with a slight tang, making it a fantastic pairing for toasted ciabatta.
2. Sequatchie Cove Cumberland (Tennessee) – A semi-soft, washed-rind cheese with nutty and fruity undertones that elevate the rustic character of whole-grain bread.
Midwest
1. Pleasant Ridge Reserve (Wisconsin) – Inspired by alpine cheeses, this nutty, slightly sweet cheese has a firm texture that melts beautifully over a warm piece of sourdough alternative.
2. Prairie Breeze Cheddar (Iowa) – A well-aged white cheddar with a touch of sweetness and a crystalline crunch, offering a delightful contrast to a soft brioche or light wheat loaf.
West
1. Rogue River Blue (Oregon) – This award-winning blue cheese is wrapped in grape leaves soaked in pear brandy, giving it an earthy, slightly boozy depth that pairs excellently with dark rye bread.
2. Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam (California) – A triple-cream cheese with a luscious, buttery texture that complements a crisp baguette or buttery croissant.
Perfect Pairings for Your Bread and Cheese Board
To add a little life and colors to your board, consider a few of these accompaniments:
Condiments: Locally sourced honey for sweetness, fruit preserves such as fig or apricot jam for a touch of tartness, and whole grain mustard to enhance the savory depth of the cheeses.
Crunch: Toasted almonds, spiced pecans, or roasted hazelnuts for texture contrast, along with crispy artisan crackers or grissini breadsticks for an extra crunch.
Other fresh elements: Sliced apples and pears for a refreshing contrast, juicy grapes to balance the saltiness, crisp cucumber slices for a cool bite, and cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweetness and acidity.
Final Thoughts
A well-crafted bread and cheese board is an invitation to savor simple yet luxurious flavors. With your amazing homemade bread as the foundation, these regional cheeses will elevate your board and impress your guests. Whether you prefer the robust sharpness of aged cheddar or the creamy indulgence of a triple-cream brie, there’s a perfect pairing for everyone.
What’s your favorite cheese and bread combination?
Share your picks in the comments below!