Best Crackers for Cheese

A cheese board is a mouth-watering sight, especially when it includes an array of the best crackers for cheese.

The nation's favourite crackers include the Ritz cracker, wheat crackers and plain water crackers. But which is the best for your favourite cheese, and what is the key to a great cracker?

Our scientific research has involved eating a lot of cheese - and crackers - and we wanted to share our findings with you.

So, why do we serve crackers with cheese anyway?

This is an existential question, but when we consider it, this traditional pairing came about for some good reasons.

Firstly, it's not elegant to eat cheese with your fingers in polite company. Crackers are a perfect vehicle for eating cheese in a civilised manner, and a cheese board is simple and quick to put together.

The contrasting textures of the crisp crackers and the smooth, soft or crumbly cheese make eating them together an interesting experience.

Although some are seasoned, crackers usually have a blander taste profile than cheese, allowing the cheese taste to take centre stage.

Wheat crackers for any type of cheese

Plain wheat crackers are often seasoned with salt or herbs but remain plain enough to showcase the full flavours of every type of cheese, from creamy goat cheese to full-flavoured cheddar.

Wheat thins for soft cheese

Wheat thins are a great foil for creamy, buttery, soft cheeses. The crunchy texture of the crackers provides a contrast to the cheese's softness without overwhelming the mild flavour.

Wheat thins are particularly useful for runny cheeses like ripe brie. Their sharp edges allow you to scoop up the delicious molten cheese without them getting soggy or breaking.

Water crackers for complex-flavoured cheese

Water crackers or biscuits are the simplest crackers of all.

They have only two ingredients - water and flour and were originally made for long sea voyages as they keep well.

Without any additives or even salt, water crackers make a perfect accompaniment for aged cheeses with intense and complex flavours, like sheep's cheese, chevre, or a flavoured mature cheddar such as our Jerk Spice Cheddar.

Sweet crackers with Cheddar

Crackers can have a strong flavour of their own, as long as they complement the flavour of the cheese.

We love a sweet chutney with aged cheese, such as Cheddar or blue cheese, so why not a sweet cracker?

Digestive biscuits, graham crackers, or wafer crackers are perfect, as their sweet graininess is a delicious contrast to the salty, umami taste of strong cheese. These crackers can pair well with various cheeses, such as a digestive and our Gincello cheshire or a graham cracker with chilli and chocolate cheese!

Ritz crackers with salty cheeses

Ritz are irresistible. Who doesn't love their buttery taste and melt-in-the-mouth texture?

We like to eat our Ritz crackers with a salty cheese like Roquefort, some shavings of parmesan or crunchy Cheddar as they need a cheese that holds its own against their flavour.

Seeded Crackers

Seeded crackers, sometimes called multi-grain crackers, are another excellent companion for soft cheeses such as our soft artisan blue cheese.

Their primary value is the interesting contrast of their seeds and grains to the buttery texture of the cheese.

Oatcakes

Scottish oatcakes have a nutty profile and a satisfying crunch that is perfect with Cheddar.

Oatcakes are robust and are ideal for fun arrangements of cheese and fruit or chutney.

Alternatives to crackers for your cheese platter

Cheese and crackers are traditional, but there are so many alternatives now.

The mild flavour of a soft flatbread is ideal for making the most of a soft cheese flavoured with herbs. While crispy crostini can be served with a range of hard and soft cheese. 

The Cheese Club

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