This time of year we're always being asked what chutney goes with which cheese.
In general we'd recommend sweeter chutneys with sheep or goat cheeses; sharp pickles with strong hard cheeses; fruity chutneys with blue cheese; and chilli based chutneys with soft stinky cheeses.
Here's a quick primer of some of our most popular accompaniments and their perfect partners.
Traditional Farmhouse Pickle (Drivers)
A classic sweet pickle - A favourite with ploughmans lunches for over 100 years. No need to over-complicate it, this is great with mature cheddar - cheese and pickle sandwich is a classic for a reason!
Try with: Montgomery's Cheddar, Lincolnshire Poacher, Kirkham's Lancashire
Membrillo (Brindisa)
Traditional Spanish quince paste. Best known as a partner to Manchego, but we prefer to have the UK's fabulous sheep cheeses on our cheeseboard. Also a winner with goat cheese.
Try with: Spenwood, White Lake Pecorino, Little Lilly
Fireflame Chilli Jam (Single Variety)
Sweet chilli jam, tingly rather than mind-blowing. The sweet spiciness cuts through the richness of soft, squidy cheeses.
Try with: Tunworth, Winslade, Rollright
Truffle Acacia Honey (Fine Cheese Company)
An indulgent sweet drizzle for cheese. Honey is traditionally a paring for goat cheese, but the earthy truffle flavour means this will stand up to bold cheddars or stinky soft cheeses too.
Try with: Isle of Mull, Baron Bigod, Michael's Mount
Black Bursa Fig Jam (Single Variety)
Figs are very at home with sheep and goat cheeses. I like it with the denser cheeses to cut through the rich creaminess, but it will certainly work with oozier specimens too!
Try with: Pave Cobble, Driftwood, Eve
But don't overthink it! Remember there's no real rules for what to match with what - if it tastes good to you then that's all that matters!