Best Crackers to Go with Cheese – Must-Know Food Pairings
What started as a convenient, non-perishable staple for sailors and soldiers in the 1850s has now become the most sought-after snack even in the fanciest cocktail dinners. A simply mouth-watering food paring for all get-togethers, big or small, cheese and crackers have come a long way. But with such burgeoning popularity, unlimited varieties of crackers have sprouted, leave alone the already existing vast array of cheese. So, we understand your confusion while picking the best crackers to go with cheese.
Although sampling every cracker with every cheese could be a great way to find out your personal favorite, knowing a few basics can give you a head-start in the crackling Charcuterie culture. So, let’s introduce you to some delicious types of crackers for the cheese platter you’ll serve when guests come over next.
What to look for while picking crackers for cheese?
Let’s face it, while there could be many things to consider while pairing crackers with cheese, the topmost consideration is the taste. Cheese and crackers are supposed to complement each other, not compete with each other.
So, just so you don’t make the horrendous mistake of serving the aggressively salty Manchego cheese with spicy garlic crackers, check out the below list of best crackers to go with cheese:
1. The Classic “Salty-Sweet” Combination
Manchego is the Champaign of cheese and deserves a reserved spot on your cheeseboard. Made from the milk of Manchega sheep in La Mancha, Spain, this tangy, salty, yet delicious cheese needs a nutty or mildly sweet cracker companion.
So, one of the best crackers for such cheese in Singapore is the belVita Golden Oat Biscuits. You can also pair these crackers with an aged Cheddar that’s nuttier and sharp-tasting.
The best thing about this combination is that it can double as a light snack and a filling to-go, protein-rich breakfast. So, whatever might be the occasion, this classic cheese and cracker combination is never-to-be-missed.
2. The “Spice It Up” Combination
Diametrically opposite to the salty-sweet combination is the "spice it up" combo, where the cracker is flavorful, and the cheese is on the mild side—something like the mild and nutty Swiss Emmental with Falwasser Crispbread Pepper and Chives crackers.
It is the perfect pairing not just because of the taste but also because of the texture. These thin yet strong crackers make up for what Emmental lacks in sturdiness due to its semi-firm texture.
Also, the pepper adds a hint of spice to the mild Emmental, making it delicious tasting and a must-have on a charcuterie cheese board.
3. The “Not So Cheesy” Combination
There is no one correct answer to the "what's the best cracker for cheese" question because you can introduce many more ingredients to enhance the classic cheese and cracker pairing.
Although cheese and crackers made their way to the restaurant menus as an after-dessert meal, during the great depression, they replaced the desserts altogether. People added jams, jellies, and marmalades to make the combination sweeter. After all, that’s what went into a real cake! But what started as a mere substitute for unaffordable desserts soon grew into a much-revered dessert in itself. Continuing this sweet tradition, you can add Carrs Table Water Original Crackers to your cheeseboard.
Water crackers and cheese give your guests an option to create their own flavor. Water crackers have little to no flavor of their own, so pairing them with mild, buttery, creamy Brie with some sweet fruity jam and cherry is perfect for sweet-toothed guests.
Otherwise, you can even serve it with sharp-tasting aged Asiago, Blue Cheese, or Smoked Brie with Salami slices and a Spanish Olive on the top.
4. The “Something to Chew upon” Combination
If you take pride in being the forerunner of the Charcuterie culture in your group of friends, you must keep reinventing your cheeseboard.
So, don’t think you have run out of options if you have tried all the classic flavor pairings. You still have textures at your disposal, and the best crackers with a distinct texture are the Raincoast Crisps.
First and foremost, these are chewy, not crunchy. Second, these are more like tiny fruit–and–nut bread slices than the standard biscuit cracker. And third, these are available in three delicious flavors - Hazelnut Cranberry, Fig and Olive, and Rosemary Raisin Pecan.
Each of these flavors offers the perfect blend of sweet and savory, making them the exquisite choice with soft, mild cheeses such as Chevre. And when you serve them on a rustic-looking walnut-colored cheeseboard from TableMatters, the guests just can’t help themselves going wow!
5. The “Soft, Slender & Flat” Combination
Sometimes, it is for your own good to diverge from the true definition, and that's precisely what you do when you choose the Huntley & Palmer Mixed Herbs Flat Bread instead of the usual “biscuit cracker.”
To start with, they add to the charcuterie board's overall charm because they are long and slender. Then, they are crispy and delicious with all those perfectly intertwining herbs, including toasted sesame. As they are made from natural ingredients, they have that typical artisan-style taste profile.
Finally, they have a robust, crunchy texture that pairs well with almost everything, from oozy Epoisses, to cheese dips or spreads, to semi-soft Swiss, to hard cheeses.
You can think of them as the all-purpose crackers that blend with all cheeses, except extremely sharp ones because of the herbs.
6. The “Inclusive Cheeseboard” Combination
We know it sounds impossible to find the best crackers to go with cheese if your guests include gluten-conscious friends because, let's face it, it's cheese and crackers, after all!
But you will be surprised to know that the breadth of gluten-free crackers for cheese in Singapore is unimaginably vast. You get crackers made from rice, butternut squash, cauliflower, and even artichokes. But if you don’t want to experiment with something extremely exotic, go for the Blue Diamond Almonds Nut Thins.
Even with very low protein content, these crispy crackers are perfect to go with almost any kind of cheese – from dip to spreads to even Gouda. Also, beyond the most famous sea salt flavor, they offer Cheddar and Pecan crisps that almost everyone loves, gluten-conscious or not!
Wrapping up the best crackers to go with cheese discussion
Although a simple snack, cheese and crackers need some thought and experience to get the right combination. And with the current rising trends of creating beautiful charcuterie board displays, knowing the famous cheese and cracker pairings is becoming inevitable each day. If you are all set to serve this delicious combination in your upcoming soiree, check out some of the best in market cheese boards from TableMatters.
FAQs
What crackers are good for a cheese platter?
The choice of crackers depends on the kind of cheese you serve. Cracker and cheese should complement each other taste-wise. If one is salty or sharp-tasting, the other should be mild or have no taste at all. This ensures that the desired flavor shines.
What crackers go best with a cheese ball?
Again, going back to the basics, the choice of cheese used to make cheese balls determines the choice of crackers. However, the cracker shouldn't crumble as try to snatch a chunk out of the cheese ball with it. So go for sturdy, mild-flavored crackers.
What crackers go well with cheddar cheese?
Cheddar is a salty cheese, so generally, it is best to go with neutral crackers with a little flavor of their own. Also, depending upon Cheddar's aging, you can pick nutty or fruity crackers such as raisin crackers with medium-aged Cheddar and dried apricot crackers with sharper Cheddar.
Which cheese is considered mild?
Any cheese which has less salt or doesn't have a sharp taste is mild. Examples of mild cheese include Emmental, Leicester, Cream Havarti, and Chevre.
Which cheese is considered sharp?
Sharp cheeses have their distinct and strong flavor, occurring primarily because of the aging process. A block of cheese needs to age a minimum of nine months to be considered "sharp," while "extra sharp" cheeses age at least 15 months. Popular examples of sharp cheese are Blue, Cheddar, Asiago, and Manchego.
Are saltines good with the cheese?
Saltines are great with cheese – especially Cream Cheese, Ricotta, or Boursin. You can even pair fried Saltines with Cheddar.
What kind of crackers go with wine and cheese?
- Light Wines pair with mild cheeses such as young Gouda, Goat cheese, or Mozzarella, paired with mild-flavored bread and crackers.
- Medium-Bodied Wines need slightly sharper cheese, such as Asiago with white sesame seed or whole-grain crackers.
- Full-Bodied Red Wines have a strong flavor and need an equally sharp cheese paired with almost any mild cracker.
- Champagne’s acidity goes well with creamy Brie with buttery crackers
- Dessert Wines are savored after dinner, and go well with Blue Cheese like Gorgonzola and plain unsalted crackers and bread
Are there any Gluten-free cracker options available?
Yes. Several rice, vegetable, and fruit-based crackers are available for Gluten-conscious people.
What more can I add to the Charcuterie board other than crackers and cheese?
Charcuterie boards can include meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, condiments, spreads, and dips, in addition to cheese and crackers. If it is a dessert board, you can include jams, jellies, or honey.
How to arrange a beautiful cheese board display?
For creating a balanced and beautiful looking charcuterie board, follow the below sequence outside-in: Cheese, meat, tiny dip or jam bowls, fresh fruits and veggies, nuts and dried fruits, and finally, crackers and bread slices. You can also get creative with the display.
What tableware is needed with Charcuterie boards?
As charcuterie platters are meant for a group of people, you should have ample forks, spreaders, and spoons on the table. Along with that, you must also have enough charcuterie bowls for semi-soft cheeses, dips, jams, and other similar ingredients. TableMatters offers a wide range of flatware to pair with charcuterie boards.