If there’s one food combination I can’t get enough of, it’s cheese and fruit. These two food groups were obviously made for one another. They’re like twins separated at birth or like soul mates—they’re different in a lot of ways, but when they’re together, it just feels right. Of course, fruits and cheese can be paired in nearly infinite different ways. Here are some of my favorites. If you’re new to the beauty of the fruit-cheese combo, this is a good place to start. Apples and Brie This is a match made in heaven. A classic combination of fruit and cheese, you might have heard of this one before. I like to cut half an apple into really thin slices and top them with semi-thin slices of brie. Be careful not to slice the brie too thin. Apples are juicy, so the flavor will rush all around your mouth and overpower the brie. Of course, you can use a whole apple if you like, but I stop at half an apple when I think about how much brie is involved! Pretty much any type of apple will do, but it’s best to use something with a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. Fuji apples work well. Figs and Smoked Gouda This is a combination I discovered on my own just recently. Figs are one of my favorite snacks, so I always have some lying around. Last week, I bought some smoked gouda on a whim, and on another whim I tried eating these two together. It might have been the best idea I ever had! I was surprised at how well the mild fig flavor was able to tone down the slightly overwhelming smokiness of the cheese. Gouda also has a sourness to it that brings out the fig’s complexity. I definitely recommend trying these two together if you have a chance. Cranberry and Mozzarella When you buy dried cranberries at the store, they are usually sweetened. In fact, they are usually sweetened way too much for my taste. It’s true that cranberries should be sweetened to a certain extent—they are just too bitter to be eaten plain—but a little can go a long way. Natural grocery stores sometimes sell dried cranberries that haven’t been sweetened beyond recognition, so if you can get a hold of those, I’d recommend it. Cranberries are excellent with many different kinds of cheese, but a mild white cheese like mozzarella is best in my opinion. This pairing creates a new gustatory sensation that is more than the sum of its parts! Cranberry is often paired with gorgonzola or Wensleydale as well. Besides these, there are some other delectable fruit and cheese combinations that you can try out. The best part about snacking on cheese and fruit is that, as long as you don’t overdo it, it’s basically guilt-free. It’s true that cheese has a high fat content, but if you only eat a couple of slices once a week, it won’t do you any harm. And, of course, fruits have all sorts of health benefits with their high contents of vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy fibers. Take my advice and prepare yourself a few slices of cheese paired with the perfectly complementary fruit. It’s more delightful, nutritious, and satisfying than potato chips any day.