Kamil Perry
A cheese platter is a fun and easy appetizer to put together for any occasion. The trick is to select three to five cheeses with different flavours and textures. For example, sharp and crumbly cheddar or Parmesan, soft and bright goat cheese, firm and nutty Gruyère, tangy and funky blue cheese, or ripe and creamy Brie. To elevate your cheese platter, add condiments such as honey, hot pepper jelly, grainy Dijon mustard, or fresh or dried fruit. Fill the spaces with bread, crackers, nuts, or create a salami river. Don't forget to provide small bowls for olive pits and ensure all garnishes are edible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cheeses | 3-5 |
| Flavours | Sharp, crumbly, soft, bright, tangy, funky, ripe, salty, nutty, sweet, caramelly, buttery, spicy |
| Textures | Crumbly, soft, firm, creamy, crunchy, spreadable, semi-soft, semi-firm, hard |
| Types of Cheese | Cheddar, Parmesan, Goat Cheese, Manchego, Gruyère, Blue Cheese, Brie, Gouda, Ossau-Iraty, Pecorino al Tartufo, Saint André, Camembert, Humboldt Fog, Double Gloucester, Midnight Moon |
| Condiments | Honey, Truffle Oil, Chili Oil, Hot Pepper Jelly, Mustard, Jam, Maple Onion Jam, Pickles, Olives, Tapenade, Dried Fruit |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, Bread, Nuts, Salami, Meat, Fruits (grapes, blueberries, figs, apricots, pears, strawberries, citrus fruits, peaches), Vegetables (watermelon radishes, rainbow carrots) |
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What You'll Learn
Variety of flavours and textures
When creating a cheese platter, it's important to offer a variety of flavours and textures to suit different tastes. A good rule of thumb is to select three to five cheeses with contrasting characteristics. Here are some ideas to consider:
Sharp and Crumbly
Include a sharp and crumbly cheese such as cheddar or Parmesan. These cheeses add a nice texture contrast to the platter. Cheddar pairs well with smoky meats or bacon, and Parmesan offers a salty, nutty flavour with a crunchy texture.
Soft and Bright
Goat cheese is a great option for a soft and bright cheese. It has a tangy flavour and a spreadable texture, making it ideal for spreading on crackers or bread. Goat cheese can be a polarizing choice, but it's worth including for those who love it.
Firm and Nutty
Cheeses like Manchego, Gruyère, or aged Gouda fall into this category. They provide a nice firmness and nutty flavour notes. Gouda, for example, has caramelly and nutty flavours with a crunchy texture. It pairs well with honey or chocolate, creating a sweet and salty combination.
Tangy and Funky
Blue cheese, with its strong and tangy flavour, falls into this category. It pairs well with something sweet like honey to balance out its funkiness.
Ripe and Oozy
Brie is a classic choice for a ripe and oozy cheese. It has a creamy texture and a mild flavour, making it a crowd favourite. It pairs well with crackers or candied nuts, adding a crunchy element to the platter.
Salty and Savoury
Some cheeses offer a salty and savoury flavour profile. For example, Piave, a hard cheese from Italy, has a subtle, sweet nuttiness while also being intensely savoury due to its long ageing process. It pairs well with jams and spiced meats.
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Condiments and pairings
When it comes to condiments and pairings for a cheese platter, there are endless possibilities. A good rule of thumb is to choose three to five cheeses with different flavours and textures. Here are some ideas for condiments and pairings to complement your cheese selection:
Sweet and Spicy Condiments
Honey is a classic pairing for cheese, especially with aged gouda or a marbled blue cheese. For an extra touch of luxury, drizzle honey on a strong blue cheese. You can also add a little truffle oil or chilli oil to your honey for a unique flavour profile. If you're feeling adventurous, try hot pepper jelly or grainy Dijon mustard. These condiments will add a spicy kick to your cheese platter.
Fruits and Nuts
Fresh and dried fruits are excellent additions to a cheese platter. Seasonal fruits like blueberries, apricots, and strawberries add a burst of freshness, while dried figs, cherries, and apricots provide a chewy texture. Nuts, such as candied nuts or toasted nuts, also pair well with cheese and can be drizzled over the platter for added crunch.
Crackers and Breads
Cheese platters often include crackers or breads as a vessel for the cheese. Plain crackers, crostini, or baguette slices provide a neutral base for stronger-flavoured cheeses. For a heartier option, try crunchy crackers or breadsticks.
Meats
If you're looking to create a heartier platter, consider adding some cured meats like salami or prosciutto. Smoked meats, such as bacon, can also pair well with certain cheeses, especially smoked cheddar.
Vegetables
While not as common as other pairings, vegetables can add a refreshing touch to a cheese platter. Pickled vegetables like pepperoncini or watermelon radishes and rainbow carrots can provide a crunchy contrast to the richness of the cheeses.
Remember, the key to a successful cheese platter is to provide a variety of flavours and textures. Don't be afraid to experiment with different condiments and pairings to find your perfect combination!
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Seasonal produce
When creating a cheese platter, it's easy to incorporate fresh, seasonal produce to make a great cheese plate that reflects the season.
For spring, you could include fresh goat cheese, chives, and pickled asparagus. In the spring, you could also serve apricots, strawberries, or citrus fruits like clementines. For summer, opt for berries like raspberries and blueberries, along with honey and Brie. Sweeten things further with chunks of dark chocolate.
For autumn, choose alpine cheeses, dried figs, nuts, and grapes. In the winter, go for jam, pears, crackers, and an aged cheddar. You can also include seasonal produce like apple or pear slices, drizzled with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Don't forget that cheeses also have seasons, so ask your local cheesemonger for what's in season and trust their advice.
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Presentation and arrangement
When it comes to presenting and arranging a cheese platter, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's essential to focus on creating a visually appealing display by varying flavours, colours, shapes, and textures. Aim for a bountiful look by filling any empty spaces with nuts, fruits, crackers, or other accompaniments.
As a general rule, it's best to select three to five cheeses with different characteristics. This could include a range of textures, such as sharp and crumbly cheddar or Parmesan, soft and bright goat cheese, firm and nutty Manchego or Gruyère, tangy and funky blue cheese, or ripe and oozy Brie.
Once you've chosen your cheeses, consider how to arrange them on the platter. You can cut the cheeses into different shapes to add interest and ensure they fit well together. For example, you might cut a Brie wheel in half horizontally or into wedges. Think about placing the cheeses in a way that guides guests to pair them with specific accompaniments, such as crackers, bread, or meat.
To enhance the visual appeal, add fresh or dried fruits like grapes, blueberries, figs, apricots, or thinly sliced pears. You can also include crunchy elements like candied nuts, olives, or pickles. Drizzle honey over some cheeses or serve it on the side, along with condiments like mustard or hot pepper jelly.
Don't be afraid to adjust the arrangement if it doesn't look quite right at first. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules, so feel free to experiment and have fun with the process!
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Portions and quantities
The number of cheeses to include on a cheese platter can vary, but a good rule of thumb is to choose between three and five different cheeses. This will provide your guests with a variety of flavours and textures to enjoy. If you're serving a large group, you may want to include a greater number of cheeses so that there is something for everyone. On the other hand, if you're serving a smaller group or just looking to create a simple platter, you could get away with just one or two amazing cheeses.
When selecting your cheeses, consider a range of textures such as sharp and crumbly (Cheddar or Parmesan), soft and bright (goat cheese), firm and nutty (Manchego or Gruyère), tangy and funky (blue cheese), or ripe and oozy (Brie). You can also think about including a semi-soft cheese like Mi-Mou, which falls somewhere between Cheddar and Parmesan in texture. Another option is Saint André, which is similar to Brie or Camembert but even creamier and more spreadable.
In terms of quantity, the amount of cheese you'll need will depend on the number of guests you're serving and how hungry you anticipate they'll be. As a general guideline, plan for about 1-2 ounces (30-60 grams) of each type of cheese per person. If you're serving a variety of other appetisers, people may eat less cheese, whereas if the cheese platter is the main focus of the meal, you may want to provide a larger quantity.
To complement the cheeses on your platter, consider including a variety of accoutrements such as crackers, bread, nuts, fruits, and condiments. These can be used to fill in the spaces around the cheeses and provide a well-rounded snacking experience. Again, the quantity of these items will depend on the number of guests and the focus of your gathering. As a rule of thumb, aim for a balance of flavours and textures that will enhance the cheeses you've selected.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to have 3-5 types of cheese with different flavours and textures.
You can have a mix of sharp and crumbly (such as cheddar or Parmesan), soft and bright (like goat cheese), firm and nutty (such as Manchego or Gruyère), tangy and funky (a blue cheese), or ripe and oozy (Brie).
You can pair the cheeses with condiments such as honey, hot pepper jelly, or grainy dijon mustard. You can also add some fresh seasonal fruits like blueberries, dried figs, apricots, or cherries. For some crunch, add crackers, nuts, or bread.
