The Best Cheese Pairings For Sour Candies (If You're Into That Kind Of Thing)

It's hard to think of something cheese doesn't pair well with. Of course, some probably initially think about the cheese-and-meats combo of the charcuterie board craze, and plenty of books have been written about how to pair cheese with wine. But did you know that soda and cheese can make a tasty combo? Another pairing you might not have expected is a Nutella and Gorgonzola sandwich, which is common in Italy as a snack.

If pairing chocolate with cheese sounds like your kind of adventure, then you might be up for this next idea. Michelle Molier, an American Cheese Society certified cheese professional, explained how numerous candy and cheese pairings work well together, no matter how odd it might sound (via The Kitchn). As it turns out, cheese and candy make a mighty fine pair, especially if sour candy is your treat of choice. Think about it — sour flavors come from acidity, which can be found in ingredients like fruits. If cheese pairs well with an acidic beverage like white wine, why wouldn't it also go well with sour candy? 

Before you run out to the store for any cheese and sour candy, think about how pairings work. Just like some wines don't pair well with certain cheeses (red wines and most soft cheeses, for example), certain candies also pair best with specific cheeses.

For Starburst fans, Michelle Molier recommended trying Amanteigado Grande, a super-soft sheep's milk cheese from Portugal with the right fruity notes to match the variety of different fruit flavors this candy features. If Skittles are more your style, Molier recommended going with Alpine-style cheeses. We think Gruyère would be a good choice, especially since a Gruyère was declared the best cheese in the world at the 2022 World Cheese Awards. However, Molier specifically suggested a Tarantaise for its spicy, tropical notes.

Lastly, for the ultimate in sour candies, Sour Patch Kids, Molier suggested mild, spreadable mascarpone cheese. She even claimed you could chop up the candies and stir them into the mascarpone for a funky dessert spread or appetizer. How's that for the ultimate "13 Going on 30"-style party snack? There you have it: sour candy and cheese. It might not show up on the menu at your favorite restaurant any time soon, but it definitely sounds like a tasty experiment worth trying.