Frederic Melton
A charcuterie board is a carefully curated selection of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, spreads, and artisanal bread. The best cheeses for a charcuterie board are those that offer a variety of unique flavours, textures, and colours. Popular options include brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata, cream cheese, blue cheese, gorgonzola, aged manchego, truffle gouda, pecorino romano, and coastal cheddar. When preparing a charcuterie board, it is important to consider the quality of the ingredients and to partner with specialty suppliers who can provide artisanal products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata, cream cheese, gorgonzola, blue cheese, Coastal Cheddar, Cotswold Double Gloucester, Delice de Bourgogne, Piave, Chabichou du Poitou, Bayley Hazen, Manchego, truffle gouda, pecorino romano |
| Texture | Soft, creamy, spreadable, crumbly, gooey, semi-soft, dense |
| Taste | Tangy, salty, nutty, spicy, sweet, buttery, rich, smooth, creamy |
| Colour | White, orange |
| Milk type | Cow's milk, sheep's milk, goat's milk |
| Pairing | Jam, honey, cured meats, crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, wine, beer |
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What You'll Learn
Soft cheeses: brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata
Soft cheeses are a great addition to a charcuterie board, offering a variety of textures and tastes. Brie, for example, is a staple for any good cheese board. It is versatile and can be sliced, left as a wheel, or cut into shapes. It pairs well with jam, honey, or cured meats. For a more luxurious option, try triple cream brie, which has a richer, buttery taste.
Triple cream cheese, such as Delice de Bourgogne, is another excellent choice for a soft cheese. With a fat content of around 75%, it is smooth, rich, and creamy, pairing well with white wine, beer, or bubbles. Its versatility means it goes well with a variety of jams and jellies, as well as cured meats.
Goat cheese is a popular choice, with Chabichou du Poitou being a small, spreadable goat cheese with a tangy, wrinkled rind, a gooey outer edge, and a dense, creamy centre. Goat cheese can also be served on small, shallow plates to add a unique touch to your charcuterie board.
Havarti is another soft cheese that can be included, and burrata is a must-have for many. Burrata has a firm outer casing, while the inside is soft and creamy, filled with stringy curd and fresh cream.
Soft cheeses offer a variety of textures and tastes, from gooey to creamy, and pair well with sweet and savoury accompaniments. They are a versatile option for any charcuterie board.
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Cured meats: prosciutto, salami, ham, chorizo, capricola
Cured meats are a staple of any charcuterie board, and with the right cheeses, you can elevate your snacking experience. Here are some ideas for cheese pairings with prosciutto, salami, ham, chorizo, and capricola:
Prosciutto
White Oak Cheddar Cheese is a great pairing with prosciutto. The subtle sweetness and smooth texture of the cheese nicely balance the salty, full flavour of the meat. For a fun appetizer, try serving prosciutto and melon with a hearty slice of White Oak Cheddar.
Salami
Salami has a rich and robust flavour, so you'll want a cheese that can match its intensity. Provolone is a classic pairing—its mild, slightly tangy flavour and smooth texture complement the spiciness of salami. Aged Cheddar is another bold option that can stand up to the intensity of salami. For a softer pairing, Brie provides a creamy, mild counterpoint to the robust flavour of salami.
Ham
Extra Sharp Cheddar is an excellent match for ham. Its citrusy tang cuts through the salty sweetness of the meat, creating a luscious combination. Try wrapping slices of ham and Extra Sharp Cheddar with lettuce, tomato, and low-fat mayo in a whole wheat tortilla for a delicious and healthy lunch.
Chorizo
For the spicy, smoky taste of chorizo, Seriously Sharp Cheddar is a perfect match. Its bold flavour and texture complement the chorizo beautifully. You can also try skewering chunks of Seriously Sharp Cheddar, chorizo, and green olives for a fun and festive appetizer.
Capricola
Capicola's slight fattiness is perfectly balanced by Pepper Jack's 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.
Remember, when creating your charcuterie board, aim for a balance of flavours and textures. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite pairings and discover new tastes!
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Fruits: grapes, apples, pears, oranges, berries
When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to include a variety of textures, shapes, and strengths of cheese. A good rule of thumb is to plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. Here are some popular cheese options:
- Delice de Bourgogne: This French triple-cream cow's milk cheese has a tangy, smooth, rich, and creamy taste. It pairs well with jams, jellies, cured meats, and other cheeses.
- Burrata: This Italian cow's milk cheese has a firm outer casing and a soft, creamy inside filled with stringy curd and fresh cream.
- Bayley Hazen: A dense, creamy cheese with a nutty, almost spicy flavor and an aromatic scent. It pairs well with raisin bread, honey, and candied hazelnuts.
- Chabichou du Poitou: A small, spreadable goat cheese with a tangy, wrinkled gray-blue rind, a gooey outer edge, and a dense, creamy center.
- Brie: A soft cheese that pairs well with grapes and a balsamic glaze.
- Smoked Gouda: A popular choice that goes well with fruits.
- Piave: A hard cheese from Italy with a full-bodied flavor. It has a delicate balance between subtle, sweet nuttiness and intensely savory, fruity flavors. It pairs well with punchy jams, spiced meats, and other cheeses.
Now, let's focus on the fruits: grapes, apples, pears, oranges, and berries. Here are some tips and suggestions for incorporating them into your charcuterie board:
Grapes:
Grapes are a versatile addition to any charcuterie board. They can be left whole or cut in half, and they act as a great palate cleanser between different meats and cheeses. Green, purple, red, or yellow—grapes of all colors are a welcome addition.
Apples:
Apples add a crisp and sweet element to the board. Cut them into thin slices or small wedges, removing the seeds and stem. They pair classically with cheddar cheese and can also be paired with feta or gorgonzola cheese for a powerful combination.
Pears:
Pears bring a juicy sweetness to the board. They can be sliced or cut into wedges and paired with salty, crumbly cheeses like Piave vecchio or Asiago.
Oranges:
Oranges add a burst of freshness and a unique flavor to the charcuterie board. They pair well with feta cheese, which has a strong, salty, tangy taste.
Berries:
Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, provide a pop of color and a mix of sweet and tart flavors. They can be left whole or gently crushed with a fork to create a spreadable consistency. Berries pair well with feta cheese, nuts, and crackers.
When arranging your charcuterie board, remember to fill in empty spaces with these fruits, adding decorative elements like fresh rosemary sprigs. You can also include dried fruits like apricots, plums, and dates to provide a contrast in texture and a year-round option.
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Nuts: almonds, candied pecans, pistachios, walnuts, macadamia nuts
Nuts are a perfect addition to a charcuterie board, offering a delightful mix of sweet and savoury flavours and a range of textures. The crunch of nuts also provides an exciting contrast to the creamy texture of cheeses.
Almonds are a great choice for a charcuterie board, especially when smoked. They can be paired with a wide variety of cheeses, from mild to smoked, and their salty or sweet flavours will be enhanced. Candied pecans are another delicious option, offering a sweet and crunchy texture to the board. They can be paired with fresh fruit, especially berries, and are a perfect match with creamy cheeses.
Pistachios are a versatile nut that pairs well with most cheeses due to their neutral taste. Their shells also add an interactive element to the board, giving guests something to do while snacking. Walnuts, with their dry and earthy flavour, are an excellent counterpart to sharper cheeses like aged cheddar or Gorgonzola.
Macadamia nuts, with their rich and creamy flavour, can also be a wonderful addition to a charcuterie board. They pair well with mild and creamy cheeses, such as burrata or Delice de Bourgogne. Their high-fat content makes them a decadent treat, and they can add a luxurious touch to the board.
When creating a charcuterie board, it is essential to offer a variety of nuts, cheeses, meats, and other accompaniments to satisfy different tastes and create a well-rounded sensory experience.
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Spreads: whole ground mustard, hummus, ranch, honey, jams
When creating a charcuterie board, variety is key. While cheese is the main attraction, spreads like whole-grain mustard, hummus, ranch, honey, and jams can bring out different flavours in the meats, cheeses, and breads on your board. Here are some tips for selecting and presenting these spreads:
Whole-grain mustard
Whole-grain mustard can add a tangy and textural element to your charcuterie board. Trader Joe's whole-grain mustard is a popular choice, known for its unique blend of spices and hints of sweetness. It pairs well with fancy cheeses and meats and comes in a nice jar that can be placed alongside your board. Maille whole-grain mustard is another option, featuring a strong Dijon flavour and a tart, vinegary taste.
Hummus
Hummus serves as an excellent base for your charcuterie board, providing a creamy texture and a neutral flavour that complements various toppings. Spread hummus on a tray, leaving space around the edges for veggies, crackers, or bread. Top the hummus with diced cucumbers, roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, and a drizzle of olive oil. Carrots, mini sweet peppers, banana peppers, roasted cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives are also great additions.
Honey
Honey adds sweetness and flavour to your charcuterie board. Local Hive Honey, for example, offers a range of varietal honeys that can be paired with different cheeses, meats, and breads. Try drizzling their Midwest varietal honey on an herby cracker or their Florida varietal honey on a slice of baguette. Ricotta, blue cheese, manchego, provolone (especially smoked), and parmesan also pair well with raw and unfiltered honey.
Jams
Jams provide a sweet contrast to the salty meats and cheeses on your charcuterie board. Look for jams with good acidity and complexity, avoiding overly sweet or translucent jelly-like options. Stonewall Kitchen offers a range of jams suitable for charcuterie, including their sour cherry jam, which is chunky and zingy, and their fig jam, which has a nice balance of sweetness and richness. Bonne Maman's apricot preserves are another excellent choice, featuring large chunks of apricot and a lovely acidity that pairs well with creamy, mild cheeses like brie or salty salami.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many different types of cheese that are great for charcuterie boards, and it's important to have a variety of unique cheeses. Some popular options include brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata, cream cheese, blue cheese, gorgonzola, smoked gouda, and aged manchego.
Coastal Cheddar is a great option for those who aren't ready to venture out to more unique flavors. It has a similar taste to white cheddar and can be broken into small pieces for a rough texture.
Manchego, a sheep's milk cheese imported from Spain, is a great option for those who are lactose intolerant as it is made from sheep's milk rather than cow's milk.
Delice de Bourgogne, a French triple cream cow's milk cheese, is a popular soft cheese option. It has a rich, buttery taste and goes well with a variety of jams and jellies.
Piave, a hard cheese from the Dolomite Mountains of Italy, is a great option for those who like Parmigiano-Reggiano. It has a delicate balance of sweet nuttiness and intense savory, fruity flavors.
