What this is: The underdog of the flavor profiles that really is a superstar.
Who it’s for: Anyone who likes a flavor boost.
The Salty Flavor Profile 
Salt is a beautiful thing in cooking and it’s just as lovely on a cheese board. It may be the most basic of the Flavor Profiles but it is also the one that would be most missed if it just disappeared one day. Salty pairs with cheese not just because it’s in cheese but also because it boosts other pairings like chocolate, nuts, and caramel.
This Category includes
- Pretzels
- Chips
- Popcorn
- Crackers
Cheeses it pairs with
- milky&mild
- stretchy&chewy
- bright&fresh
- bloomy&brainy
- friendly&flexible
- smooth&melty
- creamy&funky
- bold&blue
Wines it pairs with
- Sparkling
- Sweet White
- Dry White
- Rich White
- Rosé
- Dessert
Favorite Mixed Flavor Profile pairings
- Salty + Sweet → Salted Caramel
- Salty + Nutty t → Nut mixes
- Salty + Umami t → Prosciutto
Favorite combos
- Ricotta with Salted Honey on banana bread
- Sea Salt crackers with
- Red dragon and salted soft pretzels with pickled mustard seeds.
Unexpected
- Blue cheese and salted caramel popcorn
- Chocolate chevre balls rolled in crushed pretzels
- Truffle salt and burrata with grilled peaches
On a cheese board
It’s easy to get the Salty Flavor Profile. Start by looking at the Mixed Flavor Profiles like prosciutto, salted shortbread, and nuts. Look for sea salt crackers if you need a good basic and neutral cracker. The salt will help anything you eat with it shine.
Summary
Getting Salty is great for a cheese plate. It’s simple and rewarding to add this flavor boost to your next cheese plate.
Homework |
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Make your own flavored salt to add to a fresh burrata for your next cheese plate. Mix ¼ cup Kosher salt with 1-2 tsp of fresh herbs, spices or flavorings. We recommend a sprig of fresh rosemary and lemon zest for your first try. Think about what other salt flavors you can make and how you can use them: over your own homemade crackers, in whipped unsalted butter with bread sticks, on ricotta toasts or in cheese dips. |
Downloads
Click the icons to download a pdf of this lesson and our two handy guides: How Cheese is Made and Cheese and Pairing Types.
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