Cheese and Hot Sauce Pairings
Cheese and Hot Sauce Pairings
Our own Kelsey Pass, Cheese Specialist at our Grand Avenue Market, put her palate to the test with these cheese and local hot sauce pairings. As she searched for cheeses that wouldn't be overwhelmed by the heat of peppers and the sting of vinegar, she discovered matches that really brought out the best in each. We appreciate her suffering for her art and offer up her final suggestions below.
Double Take Signature Hot Sauce (1) + Tickler English Cheddar with Chilies (6)
This combination feels like you're enjoying all the comforts of Texas BBQ!
Folly Coffee Hot Sauce (2) + Murray’s Maple Leaf Smoked Gouda (7)
The earthiness of the coffee in this hot sauce made finding a cheese pairing difficult (I was shocked!). However, the smokiness of the cheese brought out the chipotles in adobo, the second ingredient in this hot sauce. Delightful! It made me want a taco. And who doesn’t want a taco?
Cry Baby Craig's Habanero & Garlic Hot Sauce (3) + Deer Creek Vat 17 World Cheddar (8)
Vat 17 goes with everything. The acidity and richness of the Cheddar mixes so well with the pickled habaneros. Your palate starts off with a little heat from the hot sauce, a little salt from the cheese and a little sweet from the sauce. It ends with the signature full finish that's characteristic of Deer Creek cheeses, which mixes with a hint of garlic from the hot sauce.
Lucky’s Ripe Jalapeño Hot Sauce with Garlic (4) + Hook’s Triple Play Extra Innings (9)
This sauce is cool. Very versatile, approachable and fruity with a medium-level heat. It goes well with a sweeter cheese. The hot sauce enhances every milk! My palate was buzzing. I would love to try this as a grilled cheese; I think this combo would be incredible melted.
Lola's Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce (5) + Käserei Champignon's Grand Noir (10)
The acid in the vinegar plays well with the richness of this cheese, and the blue funk marries the heat perfectly.
Selection and availability of products vary by market.
