Cheese Board Delights: Selecting The Perfect Cheeses For Your Platter

A cheese board is a great addition to any gathering or celebration, and the perfect one includes a variety of cheeses, fruits, spreads, crackers, and meats. When selecting cheeses, it's best to choose three to five cheeses with different flavours and textures. For instance, soft cheeses like goat's cheese, cottage cheese, and feta, or semi-hard cheeses like gouda, cheddar, and gruyere. To elevate your cheese board, consider adding condiments like honey, jam, or mustard.

Soft cheeses: Goat's cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, feta, mascarpone, burrata, ricotta, neufchatel, and queso blanco

Soft cheeses are a great addition to any cheese board, offering a variety of textures and flavours. Here are some ideas for soft cheeses to include:

Goat's Cheese

Goat's cheese is a tangy and pungent soft cheese made from goat's milk. Its unique flavour is due to the presence of fatty acids, giving it a stronger taste than cow's milk cheese. It often comes in a white log or roll and is commonly served on charcuterie boards with jams or mixed into salads.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a soft, lumpy cheese made from the pressed curds of cow's milk. It has a mild, milky flavour and a creamy texture.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is a soft, spreadable cheese with a rich and creamy texture. It is made from a mixture of cow's milk and cream and often has a tangy flavour.

Feta

Feta is a tangy and salty soft cheese made from sheep's milk or goat's milk. It has a crumbly texture and is often used in salads or paired with fruits and honey.

Mascarpone

Mascarpone is a soft, creamy Italian cheese with a high fat content, typically made from cow's milk. It is often used in desserts but can also be a delicious addition to a cheese board.

Burrata

Burrata is a soft Italian cheese made from fresh mozzarella and cream. It has a firm outer casing and a soft, creamy interior filled with stringy curd and fresh cream. It pairs well with bread, crackers, fresh fruit, and salty meats.

Ricotta

Ricotta is a soft and mild cheese made from cow's milk or buffalo milk. It has a high moisture content and a creamy texture, making it a great addition to a cheese board.

Neufchatel

Neufchatel is a soft and creamy French cheese with a mild flavour. It is similar to cream cheese but has a slightly lower fat content.

Queso Blanco

Queso blanco is a soft, unaged cheese made from cow's milk or goat's milk. It has a mild flavour and a creamy texture, making it versatile and perfect for spreading on crackers or bread.

Firm or semi-firm cheeses: Aged white cheddar, gouda, edam, gruyère, dubliner, and manchego

When creating a cheese board, it's important to select a variety of cheeses with different flavours and textures. A good rule of thumb is to choose three to five cheeses.

Firm or semi-firm cheeses are a great option for a cheese board, offering a more substantial bite that can stand up to other ingredients on the platter. Here are some popular choices:

• Aged white cheddar: This variety of cheddar has a more complex flavour profile and a crumbly texture compared to younger cheddars. The village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, is the birthplace of this beloved cheese. The unique "cheddaring" process gives it its signature texture and flavour.
• Gouda: A semi-hard cheese originating from the Netherlands, gouda has a rich, caramelised flavour and a springy texture. Younger goudas are mild and creamy, while aged goudas develop a deeper, nuttier taste and a crystallised appearance.
• Edam: Another semi-hard Dutch cheese, Edam is known for its mild, slightly salty, and nutty flavour. It has a distinctive red or yellow rind and a smooth, creamy texture.
• Gruyère: Named after the Swiss town of its origin, Gruyère is a versatile cheese that is excellent for melting. It has a sweet and slightly salty flavour that becomes more earthy and complex with age.
• Dubliner: A popular Irish cheese, Dubliner is a blend of mature Cheddar and Swiss cheese. It has a strong, sharp flavour and a firm texture.
• Manchego: This Spanish sheep's milk cheese has a firm texture and a nutty, salty flavour. It pairs well with fruits, crackers, and bread.

When selecting cheeses for a cheese board, consider including a mix of firm and semi-firm cheeses to provide a range of textures and flavours for your guests to enjoy.

Something sweet: Honey, dried fruit, or jam

Honey, dried fruit, and jam are essential components of a cheese board. They add a touch of sweetness that balances out the salty and sharp flavours of the cheese. Here are some tips and suggestions for selecting these sweet elements:

Honey:

Honey is a must-have item for your cheese board. It adds a delightful sweetness that pairs beautifully with cheeses, especially strong and salty varieties. Opt for a bright, light-coloured acacia honey, which has a mild flavour and primarily contributes sweetness to your cheese bites. Alternatively, you can choose darker honey with a more robust honey flavour or a white "creamy" type. Local honey is always a great choice, and don't forget to serve it in a small jar or bowl. If you want to impress your guests, include a piece of honeycomb on your platter.

Dried Fruit:

Dried fruit offers a concentrated burst of sweetness and a contrasting texture to your cheese board. Here are some excellent options:

• Tart cherries – A luxurious option with an intense flavour. Pair them with a crumbly cheese for a delightful contrast in textures.
• Apricots – Look for Blenheim variety dried apricots, sometimes labelled as "California," "fancy," or "slab." They are flatter, drier, and less sweet than conventional dried apricots.
• Dehydrated citrus – This option is different from dried or candied citrus. It has no added sugar and retains the bitterness of the pith and zest, offering a unique flavour profile.
• Dates – Large, sticky-sweet Medjool dates are a fantastic choice, but any dates you can find will do. Just remember to remove the pit and slice them into halves or quarters if they are exceptionally plump.
• Dried persimmons – These are chewy and not very sweet, making them a great visual and flavour interest on your board.
• Sultanas or golden raisins – While all grapes turn dark when dried, golden varieties are treated with preservatives to retain their bright colour.
• Dried Calimyrna figs – Also known as "Smyrna," these lighter-coloured figs are preferable to black Mission figs on a cheese board. If you can get your hands on fresh figs, use those first, reserving the dried variety for fall or winter.

Jam:

Any sweet jam, jelly, preserves, chutney, or compote will work on a cheese board, except perhaps your child's grape jelly. Here are some specific recommendations:

• Sour cherry spread – A delightful alternative to the usual fig jam, made by the same companies.
• Raspberry or other red berry jam – Easy to make with fresh berries, sugar, and a sliced jalapeno pepper.
• Membrillo (quince paste) or guava paste – A thick fruit spread that pairs beautifully with aged Manchego cheese.
• Marmalade – Citrus marmalade is a traditional option, often enjoyed by great aunts at afternoon tea.
• Apple-pear mostarda – A savoury option made with fruit and mustard, adding a unique tangy twist to your cheese board.
• Mango chutney – While not a typical addition, it is the right thing to do, especially when serving cheese and wine with a tropical vibe.
• Fig jam – A classic choice that pairs well with many cheeses. If you have dried figs, consider putting those on the board instead.
• Blueberry compote – Pairs exceptionally well with goat cheese, adding a touch of sweetness to the tangy flavour.

Something salty: Olives or cornichons

When creating a cheese board, it's important to have a variety of flavours and textures. While cheese is the star of the show, you can add something salty, like olives or cornichons, to complement the selection.

Olives are a must-have for any cheese board. The salty brine of the olives complements the cheese and cured meats. You can try a blend of green and black olives, both plain and spiced. The big, meaty green olives go well with duck prosciutto and smoked country ham, while the small black olives pair nicely with aged sheep milk cheese, like Pecorino Maremma.

If you're looking for a more adventurous option, try the Sicilian green olives. These olives are very mild in flavour and considered a great "gateway olive" for those who don't typically enjoy olives. They're super meaty, buttery, and have a mild saltiness similar to Parmesan cheese. Pair them with fresh cheeses such as chevre, brie, or even fontinella.

Another option is to go for Pugliese olives, which are large, green, and buttery, with a hint of sweetness. Their size makes them perfect for stuffing, and they pair well with saltier accompaniments like capers, anchovies, or gorgonzola cheese.

If you're not an olive fan, cornichons are a great alternative. These tiny pickled gherkins add a crunchy, sour note to your cheese board and work well with stronger cheeses, especially washed rind cheeses.

So, whether you choose olives or cornichons, make sure to include something salty to contrast with the sweet and funky flavours on your cheese board.

Something crunchy: Nuts, crispy chickpeas, or crackers

When creating a cheese board, it's important to include a variety of textures and flavours to offer something for everyone. Here are some crunchy elements you can include:

Nuts

Nuts are a classic addition to any cheese board and provide a contrast of textures when paired with soft or creamy cheeses. Walnuts and almonds are great options, as suggested by Our Nourishing Table. You can also experiment with other types of nuts such as pistachios, pecans, or macadamia nuts.

Crispy Chickpeas

Crispy chickpeas are a delicious and healthy option to include on your cheese board. They are highly nutritious, providing a good source of plant-based protein, fibre, and various vitamins and minerals. To make crispy chickpeas, you can roast them in the oven or use an air fryer. Seasonings such as sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and sea salt can elevate the flavour of the chickpeas.

Crackers

Of course, crackers are a must-have on any cheese board! They provide the perfect base for your guests to enjoy the cheeses and other toppings. Choose crackers that are sturdy enough to hold the weight of the toppings without breaking. You can opt for simple water crackers or explore flavoured crackers such as rosemary or olive oil crackers.

When selecting crunchy elements for your cheese board, consider the overall flavour profile and texture combinations. For example, crispy chickpeas or crackers can provide a nice contrast to soft cheeses like brie or camembert. Nuts, on the other hand, can add texture and flavour to both soft and hard cheeses. Feel free to mix and match to create a well-rounded and visually appealing cheese board!

Frequently asked questions