We Go Together Like Cheese & Tomatoes

Written by: Michelle Webb

Tomato season is a very special time in the South. It's a delicious reward for bearing with the heat and humidity, and if you're lucky and patient enough to GIY (grow-it-yourself) -- nothing beats that soul-satisfying stroll from garden to back porch with your favorite heirlooms. And with that, cue your favorite tomato bites for the season.

We're from New York and London, so we're not here to tell you how to prepare the perfect Tomato Sandwich, (we can, however, tell you that we are a converted Duke's family for life). But just like cheese, tomatoes come in a variety of flavor profiles that can be paired perfectly.

And not only do we have tomato season, but we have a very special celebration of local farmers and their tomatoes: The Carrboro Farmer's Market Tomato Day on Saturday, July 13. We are also honored to be their guest chef for this year’s event and will be doling out special bites that showcase amazing cheeses and some local tomatoes from our farmers.

And lucky for us, the farmers of Chapel Hill and Carrboro bring us over a dozen varieties every season. To help you navigate the many varieties of tomatoes as you stroll the market this summer, indulge in some our favorite cheese & tomato pairings below. And next week, tune in for our special tomato recipe.  

Cheese & Tomato Pairings

Sweet

Brandywine: The classic Brandywine's balanced sweetness and acidity go well with a variety of cheeses. Try a creamy brie, Camembert, or even a tangy feta.

Mountain Magic: This sweet, juicy tomato would be lovely with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, or a soft goat cheese.

Sun Gold: These sweet, tangy cherry tomatoes pair well with fresh cheeses like mozzarella, burrata, or goat cheese.

Super Sweet 100: The intense sweetness of these cherry tomatoes would be balanced by a salty cheese like feta or halloumi.

Earthy

Chef's Choice: Similar to Big Beef, a rich, flavorful cheese like Gruyère or aged gouda would pair well.

Big Beef: A hearty beefsteak tomato like Big Beef calls for a cheese with equal richness. Consider a sharp cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or a creamy blue cheese.

Complex

Black Krim: This complex, smoky tomato is delicious with salty cheeses like feta or halloumi, or a creamy goat cheese.

Cherokee Purple: The rich, earthy flavor of Cherokee Purple tomatoes is enhanced by aged cheddar, gouda, or even a smoked mozzarella.

Tomimaru Mucho: The complex, savory notes of this tomato would pair well with a washed-rind cheese like Taleggio, or a semi-hard cheese like Manchego.