Do you dig cheese, but aren’t wild about wine? Not a problem. While wine and cheese have long been considered the perfect pair, cannabis is beginning to take center stage in culinary food pairings across the country.
With marijuana now legal in several states, the world of weed has become quite a bit wider. Pairing marijuana with different flavor profiles in food is becoming more popular as people begin to recognize the complexity of cannabis.
The terpenes present in cannabis lend to the different flavors many strains are famous for. Limonene, for example, is a terpene that lends to the tart, lemony flavor of Super Lemon Haze.
Pairing cannabis flavor profiles with cheese is much like pairing wine notes with different flavors of cheese. Certain flavors will complement each other. Check out the following cannabis and cheese pairing ideas, perfect for getting fancy or a low-key night at home watching movies and blazing down.
Tangie & Feta
Tangie is a sativa-dominant hybrid with a refreshing flavor profile bursting with the sweet, citrusy aroma of tangerines. Paired with the rich, tangy flavor of feta cheese, Tangie is a perfect accompaniment to this popular Greek favorite. Tangie is a great daytime high and offers an uplifting euphoric effect that would pair impeccably with a fresh feta and tomato salad at lunch or a roasted beet and feta salad for an early summer dinner.
Golden Goat & Goat Cheese
The slightly sour, citrusy tinge of sativa-dominant Golden Goat has a distinguishably earthy aroma when smoked. Goat cheese is similar with its distinctive tangy flavor and pungent aroma. Golden Goat is an uplifting strain that also offers a sense of relaxing calm, making it perfect for both daytime and nighttime use.
Golden Goat with a goat cheese and caramelized onion pizza at dinner is one idea for a creative culinary cannabis pairing. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, a few hits of Golden Goat make a great companion for a roasted beet and goat cheese salad.
Cheese & Cheddar
Cheese is an indica-dominant hybrid that has a strong aroma and taste profile of classic cheddar cheese. It’s a strain known to increase appetite, and many people use it for this precise reason. Why not take the munchies Cheese is famous for to another level by getting down on some classic, sharp cheddar? Mac and cheese, broccoli cheddar soup, a grilled cheese sandwich, and cheesy fries are all delicious options to pair these two together.
Keep in mind, however, that Cheese is known to be super sedating and is best for nighttime use. A few hits of Cheese followed by a grilled cheddar sandwich could make the perfect nightcap. A full belly combined with the relaxing full body melt Cheddar is famous for might just put insomniacs right to sleep.
Sour Apple and Asiago
Sour Apple is a strain true to its name, with an aroma and flavor profile that tastes just like sour apples. Cheese and apples have long been paired together, and asiago is an amazing accompaniment to a tart, sour apple taste. The flavor of Sour Apple becomes sweeter on the exhale, which pairs well with the pungent taste of asiago. A few hits of Sour Apple combined with a plate of asiago, sliced Granny Smith Apples, and tart grapes is an excellent way to pair this relaxing strain of weed and unique tasting cheese.
Butter OG & Havarti
Butter OG burns smooth and has a creamy vanilla taste when exhaled that tastes very similar to sweet cream butter. It should come to no surprise then, that Butter OG and creamy, buttery tasting Havarti cheese make an excellent cannabis and cheese pair. Havarti is a very versatile cheese, served often with crackers and fruit. It’s also excellent in salads and awesome melted on top of burgers.
Butter OG is known to be super relaxing with sedating properties and is not recommended for daytime use. Best paired with Havarti in the evenings, it would be excellent with this soft buttery cheese melted in a sauce or over a baked potato.
Exodus Cheese & Gorgonzola
Exodus Cheese is infamous for its strong smell, somewhat similar to an aged blue cheese. The taste, however, is a bit sour with a slightly tangy finish. Gorgonzola is similar to blue cheese but is more robust and aromatic. The pungent aroma of Exodus Cheese pairs well with that of Gorgonzola, and both have a bit of a tang. Gorgonzola is a rich and creamy cheese that is amazing stuffed in chicken or portobello mushrooms. For something on the lighter side, try it served over a spinach and walnut salad.
Ice Cream & Mozzarella
Ice Cream is an indica-dominant hybrid with a creamy, smooth taste that is used primarily for the treatment of stress. Firm, creamy mozzarella cheese also has a creamy taste, much like fresh milk with a bit of a sour flavor. Ice Cream and mozzarella truly make an excellent pair. Mozzarella is the primary cheese used to make pizza, and we all know that pizza and pot are a perfect combination.
Ice Cream is also known for seriously stimulating one’s appetite. And is there really anything better to eat when high than a piece of pizza dripping with melted mozzarella cheese? Exactly. If pizza isn’t your thing, try pairing Ice Cream with a fresh caprese salad. We promise you won’t be disappointed.