by Shadé Polman
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by Shadé Polman
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It is summer in the Netherlands and the last few days we have all been able to enjoy the warm weather. Who doesn’t get thirsty from this. Instead of a glass of white beer, let yourself be surprised by a refreshing gin & tonic. But sipping makes you hungry and we know the answer to that.
Gin, of course, originated in The Netherlands. We have been making jenever for years. Jenever is a malt wine to which extracts from the juniper are added. There are several styles; young jenever, old jenever, aged jenever, grain jenever and grain wine.
In the 15th century the trade of jenever between England and the Netherlands blossomed. The English adored this alcoholic substance. It was called gin, short for genever, and its use grew tremendously among the wealthier population.
Nowadays, more and more experiments are being carried out with extracts, flowers, fruits and even vegetables to create new styles of gin. You can now find pink gin made from strawberries and raspberries or gin made from cucumber and rose in the shops. This offers a wide spectrum of taste, where we can combine beautiful cheeses.
Juniper (Juniperus communis), a conifer in the cypress family.
Which cheese do I choose?
Do you like a classic gin? Refreshing, maybe a little sour, on a hot day. Try combining this with a creamy cheese such as goat cheese. This combination creamy & refreshing is precisely what makes this combination so special. With every sip you clean your mouth again.
Brie is a favorite with many people and not to be missed on the cheese board. Especially if it is nice and creamy and slightly melted due to the warm weather. This buttery cheese has a semi-hard crust. The longer the cheese has matured, the sharper this cheese has taste. That’s why it goes well with an aromatic gin made from flowers.
Can you take a beating? Then try a spicy gin made from chillies or peppers. This style gin needs a cheese partner that is just as spicy. So choose a cheese that is smelly and aromas such as manchego, gouda or old cheeses.
Finally, you can choose a gin with a little sweetness. Sloe gin is a liqueur made from the berries of a blackthorn bush. By steeping these berries in gin, the liqueur gets its red color and sweet character. Try this with a blue mould cheese. The sweet character of the gin will soften the savoury, sharp character of the cheese.
Would you like to learn more about genever & gin? Then have a look at our gin tasting. I will present 4 beautiful gins at your home and we will make our own gin & tonic. Also possible with combined cheeses.
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