Kamil Perry
Dutch cheese maker Henri Willig has been producing a range of cheeses since 1974, including cow, goat, and sheep cheese. The company offers a variety of flavours, such as pesto, garlic, cumin, and chilli. Willig's cheese can be enjoyed on its own or used in recipes, such as omelette rolls, blinis, tuna melts, and pasta dishes. The cheese is available for purchase online and at the company's cheese farms and stores, where it is carefully packaged and shipped worldwide. Willig cheese is also served in their restaurants, where visitors can enjoy it with drinks, on bread, or as part of a cheese board.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Gouda, goat, sheep, cow |
| Flavors | Classic, garlic, cumin, lavender, chilli, smoked, pesto, truffle, young |
| Texture | Hard, soft, creamy |
| Serving suggestions | Cheese boards, cheese biscuits, tacos, salads, sandwiches, omelettes, blinis, pasta, risotto |
| Occasions | Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, drinks with friends, romantic evening, dinner starter |
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What You'll Learn
Take the cheese out of the fridge an hour before serving
When serving Willig cheese, it is recommended to take the cheese out of the fridge about an hour before serving. This allows the cheese to reach room temperature, which enhances its flavour and texture.
Room temperature cheese has fat molecules that are relaxed, releasing strong and flavourful aromas that are harder to detect when the cheese is cold. When cold, the fat molecules contract, making it difficult to determine the flavour.
The ideal room temperature for serving cheese is approximately 20-22 °C (68-72 °F). This temperature range allows the cheese to reach its optimal flavour and texture profile.
However, it is important to note that the time required to reach room temperature may vary depending on the type of cheese. Soft cheeses, such as Brie or Camembert, are more perishable due to their higher moisture content and should not be left unrefrigerated for extended periods. Harder cheeses, like Cheddar or Parmesan, have lower moisture content and can remain out of the fridge for longer durations.
Additionally, only take out the amount of cheese you need from the fridge. Constantly removing and returning cheese to the fridge will cause it to spoil quickly. If you plan to pre-cut your cheese into portions, do so just before serving to prevent drying.
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Use a large, flat board for serving
When serving Willig cheese, it is best to use a large, flat board. This allows you to showcase a variety of cheeses and provides ample space for your guests to cut and serve themselves. Here are some tips to consider when using a large, flat board for serving Willig cheese:
Choose the Right Board
Select a board made of natural materials such as wood or slate. These materials complement the cheese's colour and texture, creating an appealing presentation. Opt for a board with a slight lip or rim to prevent the cheese from sliding off.
Create a Balanced Display
Arrange a variety of Willig cheeses with different textures, flavours, and colours on the board. Offer a mix of soft, hard, aged, and fresh cheeses to provide a diverse tasting experience. For example, you can include Cow's Cheese with Asparagus, a mild young cheese with a delicate combination, or the limited-edition seasonal specials like Henri's Hero.
Provide Contrast with Garnishes
Add garnishes and accompaniments to enhance the flavours of the Willig cheeses. Consider fresh and dried fruits, nuts, crackers, and bread. These elements provide texture and flavour contrasts, creating a well-rounded tasting experience.
Label the Cheeses
Provide small labels or signs near each cheese, describing the type of cheese and any unique characteristics. This helps guests identify the different options and makes the display more informative and engaging.
Mind the Temperature
Allow the Willig cheese to come to room temperature before serving. This enhances the flavour and texture, ensuring the cheese is enjoyed as intended. Remove the cheese from the refrigerator about an hour before serving to achieve the optimal temperature.
By following these tips and using a large, flat board, you can create an inviting and diverse spread that showcases the versatility and quality of Willig cheese.
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Plan for 2-3 oz. of cheese per person as an appetizer
When serving Willig cheese as an appetizer, it is recommended to plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. This amount can be adjusted depending on the number of accompaniments served alongside the cheese. If you are serving a variety of charcuterie, crackers, and fruit, your guests may eat less cheese, so you can plan for closer to 2 ounces per person. If you are serving fewer accompaniments, your guests may eat more cheese, so you can plan for closer to 3 ounces per person.
It is also important to consider the type of cheese you are serving. If you are offering a strong-flavoured cheese, such as Willig's goat cheese with chilli, your guests may need less cheese to feel satisfied. On the other hand, if you are serving a milder cheese, such as Willig's Cow's Cheese with Asparagus, your guests may enjoy larger servings.
The time of day and the type of celebration can also impact the amount of cheese consumed. For example, if you are serving cheese as an appetizer before a heavy meal, your guests may eat less cheese than if cheese is the main focus of the meal. Similarly, if you are serving cheese at a wine-and-cheese evening, your guests may be more inclined to indulge in larger servings.
To ensure you have enough cheese, it is generally better to slightly overestimate how much you need. Leftover cheese can be enjoyed later, and it is always better to have too much than too little. When building your cheese plate, aim to offer a variety of cheeses, but not so many that your guests become overwhelmed. Two to three cheeses are generally enough to provide a good range of options without being excessive.
When serving Willig cheese as an appetizer, it is essential to allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving. Remove the cheese from the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving to ensure it is at its flavourful best. Serve the cheese on a large cutting board or platter, using butter spreaders or cheese knives to portion it onto plates. To enhance the flavour of the cheese, serve it with complementary accompaniments, such as fresh fruit, crackers, or charcuterie.
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Add accompaniments like crackers, charcuterie, and fruit
When serving Willig cheese, accompaniments like crackers, charcuterie, and fruit can enhance the overall presentation and taste of the dish. Here are some tips to elevate your cheese platter:
Crackers:
Crackers are essential to any cheese board, providing a textural contrast and a vehicle for enjoying the cheese. It's recommended to offer at least two types of crackers to cater to different tastes and cheese varieties. For stronger-tasting cheeses, opt for a milder cracker like water crackers, rice crackers, or simple flatbreads. On the other hand, robust and flavourful crackers, such as multigrain, seeded crackers, or even breadsticks, can complement plainer cheeses beautifully. For sharp cheeses, buttery crackers like Ritz or club crackers are a perfect match. Don't be afraid to experiment with different shapes and flavours—from gluten-free rice crackers to festive-shaped crackers for a holiday twist.
Charcuterie:
Charcuterie, or cured meats, add a savoury element to your platter and can be paired with the Willig cheese for a flavourful bite. Consider offering a variety of meats, such as prosciutto, which can even be wrapped around breadsticks for a fun presentation. Salami and sopressata, and other dry-cured meats are also excellent choices. If you're feeling creative, try making crostini by topping toasted bread slices with meat, cheese, or tasty toppings like olive tapenade or roasted grapes.
Fruit:
Fruit brings a natural sweetness and freshness to the cheese platter. Select fruits that pair well with cheese, such as grapes, which are a classic choice, or try something different like strawberries or melon. You can also incorporate dried fruits like apricots or raisins for a chewy texture and concentrated sweetness. Fresh or dried figs are another elegant option, and their natural sweetness complements the saltiness of the cheese.
Remember, the key to a successful cheese platter is balance. Offer a variety of accompaniments to suit different tastes, and don't be afraid to experiment with different flavours and textures. By providing a range of crackers, charcuterie, and fruit, you'll create a delightful and memorable culinary experience for your guests.
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Serve cheese at room temperature
Cheese should be served at room temperature to amplify its flavour. This is because cheese is largely composed of fat, and fat carries flavour. When cheese is cold, the fat molecules contract, making it harder to determine the flavour. At room temperature, the molecules relax, releasing strong, flavourful aromas. The texture of the cheese also changes, becoming softer and creamier.
To serve cheese at room temperature, first, decide how much cheese you need and only take that amount out of the fridge. Taking cheese in and out of the fridge will cause it to spoil quickly. If you are pre-cutting your cheese, do so just before serving, as the cut pieces can dry out quickly. Place the cheese on a clean slate or platter away from moisture. If you have a cheese board, you can place the cheese directly on that. Cover the cheese with a clean, lint-free cloth, invert a bowl over it, or place it in a cheese dome to prevent it from drying out. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the cheese, especially if the room is hot. Too much time above room temperature will cause the fat to separate and bead on the surface of the cheese.
The ideal room temperature for serving cheese is between 68°F and 72°F (20°C to 22°C). The amount of time it takes for cheese to reach this temperature depends on the type of cheese and the temperature of the room. Soft cheeses, such as Brie, should be allowed to warm up for at least an hour, while harder cheddars benefit from being out of the fridge for a shorter amount of time, around an hour.
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Frequently asked questions
If serving a cheese plate as an appetizer, plan for 2-3 oz. of cheese per person. If serving as a main course, plan for 4-5 oz. per person.
For the utmost flavour, aroma and texture, serve cheese at room temperature. Take the cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before serving.
A marble cheese-round is classic, but you can also use a wooden cheeseboard, a granite tile, a slate or a footed cake plate. Most cheeses are light-coloured, so a dark background is best.
Charcuterie, crackers, bread, fruit and vegetables all work well. Put crackers and bread on the plate just before serving to maintain their crispy texture.
