Frederic Melton
There are many different types of cheese knives, each with a specific purpose. The right knife for the job depends on the type of cheese being cut or spread. For example, a soft cheese knife is used for soft cheeses like brie or halloumi, while a hard cheese knife is used for aged hard cheeses like parmesan or gouda. The way you slice a cheese can affect its flavour and texture, so it's important to use the correct cheese knife to get the perfect cut.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Knife Type | Soft cheese knife, hard cheese knife, pronged cheese knife, slim-blade knife, cheddar knife, parmesan knife, cheese plane, cheese spreader, cheese fork, flat cheese knife, cheese wire, butter knife, wire |
| Cheese Knife Features | Holes in the blade, wide and flat, sharp edge, narrow blade, sharp pointed tip, triangular stubby blade, ergonomic handle, double handles, offset handle, serrated blade, curved blade, sharp blade, wide blade, cleaver shape |
| Cheese Knife Usage | Prevent soft cheeses from sticking, cutting and spreading soft cheeses, breaking off chunks of hard and dry cheeses, cutting rinds, shaving thin slices of semi-soft cheeses, applying cheese spreads, holding harder cheeses in place |
| Cheese Knife Materials | Stainless steel, carbon steel, wood, plastic, composite materials |
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Soft cheese knives
When serving soft cheeses, it is important to use the correct knife to avoid smashing the cheese and altering its texture and flavour. A soft cheese knife can also be used to cut semi-firm cheeses, such as young gouda and havarti, and to shave thin slices from aged cheeses.
A spreader, or spatula knife, is another type of knife used for soft cheeses. This type of knife is designed for spreading soft, creamy cheeses onto bread, crackers, or baguettes. It has a flat, flexible blade that allows for even pressure distribution when spreading.
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Hard cheese knives
A Parmesan cheese knife is a type of hard cheese knife with a pointed edge, made for breaking off chunks of hard and dry cheeses. It also has a sharp edge to cut through rinds. Parmesan knives come in two styles: the bell cheese knife, which has an arrowhead-shaped blade, and the compact cheese knife, which has a shark-tooth-shaped blade.
A cheese plane is another tool used for hard cheeses, which produces thinly sliced pieces. Similar to a flat-edge knife, it is shaped like a paddle but has dull edges and a slit that creates paper-thin slices. It is ideal for semi-soft to semi-hard cheeses.
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Cheese spreaders
The Laguiole spreader is a high-quality cheese spreader that adds a splash of colour to your cheese knife set. Cheese spreaders are one of the most commonly used cheese knives, as they can be used with a wide variety of soft cheeses.
The holes in the blade of a soft cheese knife serve the purpose of keeping soft cheeses from sticking to the knife. A slim-blade knife is another variety of soft cheese knife, with an ultra-fine blade that provides a minimal surface area for the cheese to stick to. The handle is offset to prevent the user's knuckles from hitting the board.
A butter knife can also be used as a cheese spreader for soft cheeses like burrata, ricotta, fresh chèvre, and fresh goat cheese.
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Cheese planes
To use a cheese plane, hold the cheese wedge in one hand and use your other hand to drag the upward-facing plane towards you. This will create thin, delicate slices of cheese that can be used on a charcuterie board or for melting on top of dishes.
While a cheese plane is a useful tool for semi-soft to semi-hard cheeses, it is not suitable for all types of cheese. Very soft, spreadable cheeses are better served with a spatula knife or spreader, while harder cheeses may require a cleaver or wire to cut through their firm texture.
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Cheese wires
When purchasing a replacement wire, it is important to identify the correct type for your cheese slicer. This may involve measuring the existing wire and comparing it to the manufacturer's specifications. Some cheese slicers may have identifying marks or stickers that can help determine the correct wire type.
Compact Marble Cheese Slicers, for example, typically have a handle made of marble with a threaded stainless steel screw. They use a specific type of compact spare wire, identified by its item number or the number of wires in the set. Prodyne cheese slicers, on the other hand, use two different wire types depending on the model, and the correct wire can be identified by referring to the model number.
In summary, cheese wires are an essential tool for any cheese lover, allowing for precise and clean cuts of soft cheeses. With proper care and maintenance, they can be a long-lasting addition to your kitchen, and replacement wires are readily available to keep your cheese slicer in perfect condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft cheese knives are used to cut through soft, sticky cheeses like brie, camembert, and chevre. They usually have holes in the blade to prevent the cheese from sticking to it.
Hard cheese knives are used to cut through hard cheeses like Parmesan, pecorino, fontina, Asiago, and Jarlsberg. They have durable blades designed to break through firm rinds.
A cheese plane is used to slice thin pieces of semi-firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and pepper jack.
A cheese wire, or bow knife, is used to cut delicate soft cheeses without crushing them. It is usually found in a bow shape or attached to a cheese board with an indent for the wire.
A cheese spreader, also known as a spatula knife, is used for spreading soft cheeses like goat cheese, Boursin, and creamier varieties of brie and Camembert.
