Sweet Meets Savory: Cheese Board Tips

Brie, Bees, and a Breeze: Building a Summer Cheese Board

When summer arrives, meals begin to shift. We trade stews for stone fruits, hearty dinners for simple spreads shared outside. And there are few summer joys as effortless and satisfying as a cheese and honey board. It’s casual but thoughtful, elegant but unfussy—perfect for warm evenings, weekend gatherings, or a quiet moment with a book and a chilled glass of wine.

We think of honey as more than a sweetener. It bridges textures and flavors, letting each ingredient speak a little louder. On a summer cheese board, it adds warmth, brightness, and a sense of place.

Pairing By Season: What Summer Brings

Summer invites a softer, juicier palette. Fruits like peaches, figs, cherries, and berries are at their peak. Herbs are abundant. And cheeses—especially those that are young, creamy, or slightly ripened—seem tailor-made for sunlit afternoons.
Honey, with its endless varieties, becomes the quiet star that ties it all together.

Cheese + Honey Pairing Ideas

Each honey tells a different story depending on where it's from and what the bees were foraging. Lighter honeys like clover or orange blossom are delicate and floral; darker honeys like buckwheat or chestnut have bold, earthy undertones. Here's how to start building your board:

Goat Cheese + Lavender Honey + Strawberries

The tang of fresh goat cheese pairs beautifully with the floral sweetness of Whipped Lavender Honey. Add ripe strawberries for color and acidity.

Brie + Goldenrod Honey + Peaches

Let a wheel of brie come to room temperature, then top with slices of fresh peach and a drizzle of Goldenrod Honey. The honey brings out the stone fruit’s fragrance while softening the brie’s earthiness.

Aged Cheddar + Buckwheat Honey + Cherries

Sharp cheddar and dark honey might sound intense, but together they create depth and balance. Add cherries for a pop of freshness and color.

Blue Cheese + Tupelo Honey + Figs

For those who like a bold bite, the saltiness of blue cheese is mellowed by the clean sweetness of Tupelo Honey. If figs aren’t in season yet, thinly sliced apples work too.

Filling Out the Board

Once you’ve chosen your pairings, round out the board with:

- Toasted nuts: Walnuts or almonds add crunch
- Crackers or baguette slices: Something sturdy enough to hold cheese and honey
- Fresh herbs: Sprigs of thyme, rosemary, or mint for aroma and garnish

*Optional extras: Olives, dried fruit, cured meats, or a little dark chocolate

Try to keep it simple. Three to four cheeses and two honeys is plenty. Let each element have space.

Savor Slowly

There’s no need to rush a cheese board. Part of the pleasure is noticing how flavors shift with each bite. A bit of honey on soft cheese one moment; a tart cherry and crumbly cheddar the next.

If you can, use local honey or raw honey. The kind where—as cheesy as it sounds—you can taste the season in the spoonful. Notice whether it's grassy, herbal, fruity, or smoky. It's a small way to connect more deeply with what you're eating.

A Note on Storage and Serving

Set your cheeses out at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can open up. Serve honey in small ramekins with tiny spoons or let it drip directly over the cheese. Keep any extras covered and cool, especially in the heat.

Simple, Sweet, and Seasonal

A summer cheese and honey board isn’t just a snack—it’s a way to slow down. It invites you to notice: the way honey pools, the ripeness of a peach, the weight of warmth in the air.
Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a moment alone, let your board be an expression of the season. Let it be simple. Let it be sweet.