5 of the world’s sexiest cheeses

Cheese is possibly not the first ingredient that comes to mind in terms of a Valentine’s Night celebration but think again and you realise there's no shortage of suitable candidates.

It’s not only what you serve but how you serve it of course. Two at least, the Vacherin and Camembert, can be baked in their boxes - warm cheese has to be even sexier than cheese at room temperature.

What is essential in my book at least is some degree of gooeyness (though not stinkiness unless you know your partner well and you’re both cheese fanatics. I reckon an Epoisses or Stinking Bishop is out.)

Vacherin Mont d’Or

Surely the sexiest cheese on earth - and - hooray! - still in season on Valentine’s Day. Great with a freshly baked crusty baguette or, better still, baked with a side of new potatoes to dunk in it. The only problem is it’s quite large. You may not need anything else, except possibly a glass of champagne. Or two. In fact I think you could drink champagne with all of these. See more of my best pairings with Vacherin Mont d'Or.

Camembert

You might regards this as a poor man’s Vacherin but it's a fine cheese in its own right - and a bargain to boot. And again you can bake it. As for pairings, check out these 5 great drink matches for Camembert.

Serra da Estrela

A fantastic Portuguese sheeps cheese set with cardoons rather than rennet which gives it a particularly seductive silky texture. A great cheese to share with a cheese buff

Taleggio

Superb washed-rind northern Italian cheese that verges on the stinky as it matures but is amazing on pizza or tarts. If you’re not a big one for lavish Valentine’s celebrations Nigel Slater’s Mushroom & Taleggio toastie would be an indulgent snack for a quiet night in.

Coeur de Neufchâtel

Maybe a romantic cheese rather than a sexy one this heart-shaped cheese clearly shows your loved one you're out to impress. It’s made from cow’s cheese and tastes quite like a Camembert but it is possible to find heart-shaped goats cheeses too.

So are these the kind of cheeses that you would serve on Valentine's night or can you think of a better option?

Image © Jill Wellington

If you’d like be able to check out all the food and wine pairings on the site you can buy a bundle of credits here to access my premium content.

And/or for regular updates on what and where I’ve been eating, drinking and travelling sign up for my weekly newsletter Eat This, Drink That, Live Well.

You may also enjoy …

Pairing Cheese and ChampagneMon Vieux Hell’s Heights Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Stichelton (or Stilton) with Maury 1974 and Bristol Beer Factory Glenlivet-cask stout