Charcuterie Board Cheese: Selecting The Perfect Pair

Charcuterie boards are a fun and simple way to serve a variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments at a party or as a snack. When it comes to selecting cheeses for a charcuterie board, it's important to offer a variety of textures and flavours to create a well-rounded and interesting spread. A good charcuterie board typically includes a mix of soft and hard cheeses, as well as cheeses made from different types of milk such as cow, goat, or sheep's milk. It's also a good idea to include at least one familiar cheese that your guests are comfortable with.

Some popular soft cheese options include brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata, and cream cheese. Blue cheese or gorgonzola can also be good choices. For hard cheeses, options such as manchego, cheddar, swiss, gouda, gruyere, and parmesan are ideal. When selecting cheeses, consider the different textures and flavours that will complement each other and provide a balanced tasting experience for your guests.

In addition to the types of cheese, it's also important to consider the amount of cheese needed for your charcuterie board. If served as an appetizer, plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. If you're serving a lot of accompaniments, people may eat less cheese. Conversely, if you have fewer accompaniments, plan for your guests to eat a little more cheese. For a more substantial meal, aim for 4-5 ounces of cheese per person, along with fruits and vegetables to create a well-rounded offering.

Hard cheeses: Manchego, cheddar, Swiss, gouda, gruyere, parmesan, etc

Hard cheeses are a great choice for a charcuterie board as they provide a variety of textures and flavours. Here are some tips and suggestions for including hard cheeses on your charcuterie board:

Variety of Hard Cheeses

Choose a variety of hard cheeses to provide different flavours and textures. Some popular options include Manchego, cheddar (white or orange), Swiss, gouda, gruyere, and parmesan. You can also include aged gouda, aged cheddar, or smoked gouda for a stronger flavour. Consider having three to seven different types of cheese on your board, depending on the size of your party.

Amount of Hard Cheese

If you're serving a charcuterie board as an appetizer, plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. If you're serving a lot of accompaniments, people will likely eat less cheese. If you're making the board for dinner, plan for 4-5 ounces of cheese per person. It's better to have a little extra cheese than not enough, as you can always wrap it up and store it in the fridge for later.

Presentation of Hard Cheeses

When it comes to presenting hard cheeses on your charcuterie board, you can cut them into slices or cubes to make it easier for your guests to grab a piece. Stack them on the board to create visual interest. You can also provide a sharp knife for your guests to cut the cheese themselves.

Pairings with Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses pair well with sweet and salty accompaniments. Consider pairing them with fruits such as apples, pears, or grapes. You can also try dried fruits like apricots, cherries, or cranberries. For a more savoury option, nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or cashews go well with hard cheeses. Crackers or bread can also help round out the flavours and textures on your board.

Storage and Temperature of Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses should be stored in the fridge and taken out about 30 minutes to an hour before serving to allow them to come to room temperature. If you're preparing the charcuterie board ahead of time, you can cut the hard cheeses and store them in a container in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

Soft cheeses: Brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata, etc

Soft cheeses are a must-have for any charcuterie board. They provide a nice contrast to the hard cheeses and cured meats, offering a creamy texture and mild flavour that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Here are some tips and tricks for selecting and serving soft cheeses on your charcuterie board:

Brie

The star of any charcuterie board, Brie is a classic soft cheese that pairs beautifully with sweet and savoury accompaniments. It has an earthy flavour and a creamy texture, making it a perfect match for stone fruits like peaches, apricots, and figs, as well as sliced pears and apples. For an extra touch of sweetness, top your Brie with dried fruit and herbs, or serve it with honeycomb, fruit preserves, or honey. You can leave it whole or cut it into wedges, depending on the size of your gathering.

Triple Cream

Triple cream cheese is a rich and indulgent option for your charcuterie board. With a higher butterfat content than other soft cheeses, it has an incredibly creamy texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavour. Look for options like Brie Triple Cream or a triple cream goat cheese. Serve it with fresh or dried fruit, crackers, or bread.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a soft and creamy cheese with a tangy flavour. It's a versatile option that can be rolled in chopped herbs for colour or nuts for added texture. Goat cheese pairs well with sweet accompaniments like fruit preserves, honey, or fresh fruit such as stone fruits, apples, and pears.

Havarti

Havarti is a unique soft cheese that offers a sharp flavour and a creamy, soft texture. It's a versatile option that can be paired with both sweet and savoury items. Try it with apples, figs, or arugula for a peppery note. Soppressata, a type of dry Italian salami, is also a classic pairing for Havarti.

Burrata

Burrata is a soft cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It has a delicate flavour and a creamy texture, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a combination of textures. Burrata pairs well with salty prosciutto, marinated tomatoes, or cantaloupe. For a touch of peppery flavour, pair it with fresh herbs like basil or arugula.

Cured meats: Prosciutto, salami, ham, chorizo, capricola, soppressata, etc

Cured meats are an essential element of any charcuterie board, adding robust flavours ranging from cured salt and red wine to fennel and cracked black pepper. The word "charcuterie" is derived from the French words "chair" (flesh) and "cuit" (cooked).

When it comes to cured meats, there are plenty of options to choose from, including:

Prosciutto

Prosciutto is a delicate meat that pairs well with fruit and mild cheeses. To elevate your charcuterie board, try folding prosciutto into rosettes, ribbons, or fans. You can also roll prosciutto with sliced cheese, such as provolone or aged cheddar, for an easy and tasty addition to your board. Another option is to create a "prosciutto bouquet" by folding the prosciutto into small rosettes and grouping them together on the board.

When pairing cheese with prosciutto, opt for soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese. Cheeses that pair well with fruit, such as fruity goat cheese, mild cheddar, or blends of honey and lavender cheeses, also complement prosciutto well. Avoid strongly flavoured cheeses like blue cheese or herbed cheeses, as they may overpower the mild flavour of the prosciutto.

Salami

Salami is a versatile cured meat that can be folded, rolled, or sliced and arranged in creative ways on your charcuterie board. When it comes to cheese pairings, salami goes well with sharp cheddar, especially when accompanied by fruits like strawberries and apples, tangy mustards, pickles, and crackers. For a wine pairing, consider a bold option such as Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ham

When choosing cheese to pair with ham, opt for extra sharp cheddar, which has a citrusy tang that cuts through the salty sweetness of the meat. You can also create a delicious wrap by combining ham, lettuce, tomato, extra sharp cheddar cheese, and low-fat mayo in a whole wheat tortilla for a tasty lunch option.

Chorizo

Chorizo is a spicy and smoky cured meat that pairs exceptionally well with Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese. The bold flavour and texture of the cheese complement the chorizo perfectly. For a fun and festive appetizer, skewer chunks of Seriously Sharp Cheddar, diced chorizo, and green olives together.

Capicola

Capicola is a slightly fatty cured meat that pairs well with pepper jack cheese, which has a subtle heat and creamy texture. For a tasty addition to your charcuterie board, stuff pickled cherry peppers with a cube of pepper jack cheese and a piece of capicola.

Soppressata

Soppressata is a salty, cured meat that pairs well with bold and salty cheeses like Pecorino Romano. The time this cheese spends aging gives it a bold and salty flavour that matches the intensity of the soppressata. To complete the pairing, choose a wine that is not sweet, such as dry Zinfandel or Chardonnay.

Savoury accompaniments: Nuts, olives, pickles, dips, crackers, bread, etc

Nuts, olives, pickles, dips, crackers, bread, and other savoury accompaniments are essential components of a well-crafted charcuterie board. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a delightful spread:

Nuts

Nuts provide a crunchy texture and can be paired with cheeses or enjoyed on their own. Some popular choices include almonds (especially Marcona almonds), candied pecans, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and glazed pecans.

Olives

Olives offer a briny, savoury flavour and can be purchased already pitted for convenience. Green olives stuffed with garlic or feta are a tasty option, as are Kalamata olives. Olive tapenade is also a great addition to the board.

Pickles

Pickles and other pickled items add a tangy, briny contrast to the board. Cornichons, cocktail onions, dill pickles, and pepperoncini are all excellent choices. You can also include pickled vegetables like red peppers, Brussels sprouts, or onions.

Dips and Spreads

Dips and spreads provide a creamy element to the board and can be paired with crackers or bread. Some popular options include whole-grain mustard, hummus, ranch, balsamic dip, tapenade, honey, stone-ground mustard, and fig jam.

Crackers and Bread

Crackers and bread provide a base for all the delicious toppings. Choose a variety of crackers in different shapes, sizes, and flavours, such as sea-salted, multi-grain, seeded, or fruit and nut-filled. A sliced and toasted baguette is also a classic choice, and pita chips add a nice crunch.

Sweet accompaniments: Fresh and dried fruit, chocolate, jams, etc

Sweet accompaniments are an essential part of a charcuterie board, providing a delightful contrast to the savoury elements and a great way to add colour and variety. Here are some ideas for sweet accompaniments to include on your charcuterie board:

Fresh Fruit and Berries

Add a burst of colour and freshness to your charcuterie board with an assortment of fruits and berries. Some popular options include grapes, apples, pears, oranges, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. Not only do they taste delicious, but they also create a vibrant and inviting display.

Dried Fruit

For a longer-lasting option, dried fruit is a fantastic choice. Look for dried apricots, cherries, figs, pineapple and mango. These add a chewy texture and concentrated sweetness to your board.

Sweet Spreads

Sweet spreads, such as fig butter, orange marmalade and blackberry jam, offer a delightful contrast to the salty and savoury elements of the charcuterie board. They pair especially well with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese.

Chocolate

A few pieces of quality dark chocolate or chocolate-covered nuts can add an indulgent touch to your charcuterie board. Chocolate pairs surprisingly well with cheese, especially stronger, more intense varieties.

When selecting sweet accompaniments, consider the overall flavour profile of your charcuterie board and choose items that will complement the cheeses and meats you've selected. Remember to have fun and experiment with different combinations to create a unique and delightful charcuterie experience!

Frequently asked questions