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Pairing cheeses with condiments and/or drinks is all about creating a harmony of flavors. For example, you would want to match a pungent creamy blue cheese with a sweet condiment that would balance out some of the cheese's piquancy. It's all about unifying two foods that bring out each other's strengths.

One suggestion might be to focus on region. Many times, the perfect pairing involves cheese and wine from the same region. Also, there's a school of thought that says you must match a cheese and a condiment with equal intensities. This rule is not entirely universal, however. In fact, many of my favorite combinations involve stronger cheeses with lighter more delicate jams.

Below is a quick cheat sheet of 8 fool-proof pairings that are guaranteed to make your taste buds happy:

1. Stilton and port
   
2. Gorgonzola Piccante and chestnut honey
3. Fresh ricotta and berries
   
4. Roquefort and chestnut spread
   
5. Manchego and quince paste or jam
6. Aged goat's milk cheeses with olive oil
7. Cheddar and wholegrain mustard
8. Comté and mirabelle or strawberry jam