Let’s be honest — cheese has always been the star of the grazing board. From creamy bries to aged cheddars, its fans are loyal and its pairings predictable. Crackers, olives, maybe a bunch of grapes or a drizzle of honey — rinse and repeat. But if you really want to transform your cheeseboard from classic to crave-worthy, there’s one underdog addition that’s stealing the show:

Marmalade.

                             

At Quincey Jones Jelly Preserves Co., we’re passionate believers in bold flavours and unexpected pleasures — and our marmalades are here to shake up your cheese game in the best possible way.

Whether you’re planning an elegant dinner party or a relaxed Sunday arvo with friends and wine, marmalade and cheese offer a balance of sweet, tart, creamy, and sharp that no other combo quite replicates. And the best part? You don’t need to be a sommelier or cheesemonger to pull it off. You just need a jar or two of our award-winning marmalades, a wheel of cheese (or three), and a sense of adventure.

Why Marmalade & Cheese Just Works

Marmalade — often relegated to breakfast — is actually a flavour powerhouse. With its natural bitterness from citrus peel, gentle sweetness, and zippy acidity, it acts like a bright spotlight for cheese. It cuts through creaminess, lifts funkier notes, and adds a complexity that keeps your taste buds guessing.

Think of marmalade as the high note in a great song — it brings everything else into harmony.

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The Grazing Moment: Cheese, Crackers, and Cumquat & Cointreau

Let’s begin with a scene we’ve come to love.

It’s golden hour. There’s a bottle of bubbles sweating on the table. You’ve laid out your grazing board with care. And right in the centre, a hero pairing: our Cumquat & Cointreau Marmalade with a generous wedge of Castello’s Red Rind cheese on a crisp, buttery cracker.

The sweet-tart citrus of the cumquat dances with the deep orange and fruity notes of the cheese. The Cointreau, that cheeky splash of orange liqueur, adds warmth and elegance. Every bite is balanced, bold, and unexpectedly luxe.

Pro tip: Try it with aged gouda, blue brie, or even a triple cream camembert. It’s just that versatile.

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More Marmalade Pairings to Fall in Love With

We’ve got more marmalade magic up our sleeves. Here are some top pairings from our range — perfect for cheeseboards, picnics, or an indulgent snack-for-dinner kind of night.

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1. Orange Whisky Marmalade + Aged Cheddar + Water Crackers

There’s something nostalgic and comforting about our Orange Whisky Marmalade. The whisky gives it a lovely warming note, while the orange keeps it zesty.

Pair it with a bold aged cheddar, whose crumbly texture and nutty sharpness create a deeply satisfying contrast.

Why it works: The mellow flavour plays off the sharp tang of the cheese, while the orange brightens the whole bite.

Serve with: Water crackers or slices of rye bread.

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2. Pink Grapefruit & Pink Sea Salt Marmalade + Goat’s Cheese + Black Sesame Crackers

Rich, tangy, and slightly bitter, our Pink Grapefrui Marmalade adds a sophisticated twist to any board. Goat’s cheese, with its creamy yet earthy profile, is a natural partner.

Why it works: The marmalade’s intensity balances the tangy goat’s cheese, and a seeded cracker adds crunch and nuttiness.

Serve with: Black sesame or charcoal crackers for contrast and style.

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3. Seville Orange Marmalade + Stilton or Blue Cheese + Walnut Bread

Bold meets bold in this dramatic duo. Seville oranges bring a punchy bitterness that can stand up to even the bluest of blues. Try it with a creamy Stilton or Gorgonzola for a deeply savoury experience.

Why it works: The intensity of both elements creates a layered, luxurious mouthfeel — perfect for wine lovers.

Serve with: Slices of walnut or fruit-nut bread.

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4. Lime & Gin Marmalade + Brie + Cracked Pepper Crackers

Our Lime & Gin Marmalade is a sleeper hit. The sharp tang of lime is elevated with a juniper kick, making it ideal for creamy cheeses like brie or double cream camembert.

Why it works: The lime cuts through the richness, while the juniper gin gives depth and intrigue.

Serve with: Cracked pepper water crackers or lavosh.

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5. Leafy Lemon & Vanilla Marmalade + Ricotta or Triple Cream Brie + Shortbread or Digestive Biscuits

Elegant and delicate, our Leafy Lemon & Vanilla Marmalade is sunshine in a jar — citrus-forward with floral lemon leaf notes and a kiss of smooth vanilla bean. It calls for cheeses that whisper rather than shout.

Try it with a mild ricotta, a triple cream brie, or even a whipped goat’s cheese for a dessert-inspired pairing.

Why it works: The vanilla draws out the creaminess in the cheese, while the lemon keeps things fresh and lively. This combo sits somewhere between a cheese course and dessert — the best of both worlds.

Serve with: Buttery shortbread rounds or digestive biscuits for a creamy-sweet finale to your board.

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6. Seville & Campari Marmalade + Manchego or Pecorino + Rosemary Crackers

Now for the bold and bittersweet. Our Seville & Campari Marmalade has bite, intrigue, and attitude — much like its namesake aperitif. This isn’t for the faint of palate; it’s for those who love complexity and edge.

Pair it with something sharp and salty like Manchego, Pecorino, or even a hard goat’s cheese. The marmalade’s bitter orange peel and herbal Campari notes play beautifully with crumbly, aged textures.

Why it works: It’s a bold pairing — salty, bitter, bright, and bracing — the kind of bite that begs for a sip of vermouth or a negroni on the side.

Serve with: Savoury rosemary crackers or thin crostini. Add a few Sicilian olives or a sprig of thyme for garnish.

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Crafting Your Marmalade Grazing Board

Here’s how to build a next-level board using marmalade as your hero ingredient:

The Cheese

Choose a variety — soft, hard, blue, aged. Think textures and flavour profiles: creamy brie, crumbly cheddar, pungent blue, nutty gouda.

The Marmalade

Pick two or three contrasting marmalades:

• A warm/spiced one (Orange Whisky)

• A bold/citrusy one (Pink Grapefruit or Seville)

• A boozy/indulgent one (Cumquat & Cointreau, Lime & Gin)

The Carriers

Add crackers with different textures — buttery, crisp, seeded, or even rye. Don’t forget crusty bread or fruit loaf slices for deeper flavour pairings.

The Extras

Round it out with nuts, dried fruit, fresh apple or pear slices, olives, and dark chocolate shards for an unexpected sweet bite.

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Creating Special Moments at Home

We believe the best kind of luxury is the one you create yourself. Lighting a candle, opening a bottle of wine, putting on some Billie Holiday — and pulling out a little board of simple, beautiful things to nibble on.

That’s the magic of marmalade and cheese. It’s not just food. It’s a feeling. A ritual. A way to pause, savour, and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to something thoughtful.

At Quincey Jones Jelly, we put care into every jar. Our marmalades are handmade with Australian fruit, low in sugar, and high in real flavour. When you pair them with the right cheese, you’re not just snacking — you’re crafting an experience.

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Ready to Taste the Difference?

Head to qjj.com.au/order-marmalades/ to explore our full marmalade range and start planning your next cheese night. Whether it’s a casual catch-up or a special celebration, let your cheeseboard do the talking — with bold, beautiful marmalade in the starring role.

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Quincey Jones Jelly Preserves Co.
For cheese lovers who want more than just crackers.