The Best Cheeses For A Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are a delightful combination of flavours, textures, and aesthetics. When it comes to cheese, a mix of soft and hard, mild and sharp, and crumbly and smooth varieties is ideal. A good rule of thumb is to select 2-3 ounces of cheese per person and to offer an odd number of cheeses, such as 3, 5, or 7, depending on the number of guests. It is also important to provide a variety of milk types and firmness levels, such as cow, sheep, and goat cheeses ranging from soft to firm.

Hard and soft cheeses

Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, parmesan, gouda, and manchego, offer a variety of flavours and textures that can enhance your charcuterie board. When selecting hard cheeses, consider the following:

• Variety: Choose a mix of hard cheeses with different flavours and textures, such as sharp cheddar, white cheddar, or gouda.
• Slicing: Consider slicing at least half of the hard cheeses to make it easier for your guests to serve themselves.
• Presentation: Use odd numbers when arranging hard cheeses on the board (3, 5, or 7 cheeses) to create a visually appealing display.
• Pairings: Hard cheeses pair well with salty, spicy meats, crackers, fruits like apples and grapes, and nuts like almonds and cashews.

Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses, such as brie, goat cheese, havarti, and cream cheese, provide a creamy and tangy contrast to the hard cheeses. When selecting soft cheeses:

• Variety: Offer a range of soft cheeses with different flavours, such as honey goat cheese, cranberry or orange peel goat cheese, or triple cream brie.
• Presentation: Place soft cheeses near complementary items such as jam, honey, or other sweet spreads.
• Pairings: Soft cheeses go well with rich meats, fruits like apples, grapes, and pears, and crackers or bread.

General Cheese Tips

• Amount: Allow for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person, and select 3-5 different types of cheese to create a varied board.
• Milk Types: Vary the milk types used in the cheeses, including cow, sheep, and goat milk cheeses.
• Texture: Include a mix of hard and soft cheeses to provide a range of textures for your guests to enjoy.

Cheeses from different animals

When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to select cheeses with different textures and made from different animals to add variety and cater to different tastes. Here are some cheeses from different animals that you can include on your charcuterie board:

Cow's Milk Cheeses

Cow's milk cheeses are the most common type of cheese and offer a range of flavours and textures. They have a creamy, buttery, and smooth quality with less fat content than some other milk types. Their colour is usually off-white because cows do not process beta carotene in their grass diet. Some popular options for a charcuterie board include:

• Cheddar: A classic, versatile cheese that pairs well with cured meats, cashews, apples, and dark chocolate.
• Gouda: A semi-hard Dutch cheese with a sweet, nutty flavour. It goes well with prosciutto, fresh fruit, and almonds.
• Gruyère: A Swiss cheese with a nutty flavour that pairs well with salami, ham, grapes, figs, honey, and mustard.
• Brie or Triple Cream: A soft, creamy cheese that is delicious with sweet accompaniments like fig butter, jam, candied nuts, and fresh fruit.

Goat's Milk Cheeses

Goat cheese, also known as "chèvre", has a bold and tangy flavour with distinctive aromas. Goat's milk has a bright, tangy flavour profile often with citrus notes. Goat cheese can range from soft to hard in texture and is usually presented in a log shape. Some options for your charcuterie board include:

• Goat Gouda: A variation of the traditional Gouda, with a slightly different flavour profile due to the use of goat's milk.
• Midnight Moon: A goat cheese from Cypress Grove that comes in a variety of flavours.

Sheep's Milk Cheeses

Sheep's milk cheeses are rich, smooth, and sometimes sweet with a hint of piquancy. They have a higher fat and protein content than cow's or goat's milk cheeses, resulting in a decadent, coating texture. Sheep's milk also provides more vitamins and calcium than cow's milk. Some options to consider for your charcuterie board are:

• Manchego: A popular Spanish sheep's milk cheese that pairs well with spicy or smoky meats like chorizo, as well as dried apricots.
• Tomme Corse Brebis: A sheep cheese from Corsica with the perfect texture to accompany jamón or other cured meats.

Water Buffalo's Milk Cheeses

Water buffalo milk is the second most consumed milk type in the world, and its cheeses have the highest fat content after sheep's milk cheese. The milk has a white-to-buttery hue and a silky smooth texture. Water buffalo milk cheeses have sweet and tangy flavours with hints of grass, flowers, and herbs. Although most of the water buffalo milk cheeses available in the United States are imported from Italy, there are some American producers making these cheeses domestically.

Mixed-Milk Cheeses

You can also find cheeses that blend milk from different animals to create unique flavour and texture profiles. For example, Carr Valley's Mobay is a mixed-milk cheese that combines a layer of sheep milk with goat milk, separated by a ribbon of vegetable ash. Nettle Meadow's Kunik blends cow and goat milk, with the addition of pure cow cream to create a triple-cream cheese.

Flavourful cheeses

When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to include a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavours. Here are some flavourful cheeses to consider:

Cheddar

A classic, mature cheddar is a must-have on any cheese board. It pairs well with cured meats, apples, walnuts, pecans, honey, grapes and dates. For something extra special, opt for an aged white cheddar, which has a sharper flavour that goes well with fruits like apples and grapes.

Brie

This French cheese is a popular choice for cheese boards due to its creamy texture and versatility. It goes well with both sweet and salty ingredients. Try pairing it with fig butter, honey, candied pecans, grapes, apples, prosciutto, almonds, baguette slices or crackers.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a strong and pungent cheese that can be a polarising choice. If you're looking for something bold, try Roquefort. For a more mild and pleasing option, go for Gorgonzola.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese, or chèvre, has a creamy and tangy flavour. It pairs well with sweet and juicy grapes, apples, prosciutto, crackers, figs, honey and red pepper jelly.

Manchego

This semi-soft Spanish cheese has an earthy, tangy and nutty flavour. It goes well with bold and spicy foods like chorizo, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and hazelnuts.

Gruyère

Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese with a distinct nutty flavour. It pairs well with nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds and hazelnuts. For a savoury combination, try it with salty meats like prosciutto and ham. You can also pair it with fruits like pears, figs and grapes.

Salty and sweet cheeses

Salty Cheeses

Salty cheeses are a great way to add flavour to your charcuterie board. Here are some options:

• Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan: This famous Italian cheese is known for its sharp, nutty flavour. It pairs well with fruits like figs, pears, and dates, as well as prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
• Cheddar: A classic, versatile cheese that goes well with cured meats, apples, walnuts, pecans, honey, grapes, and dates.
• Goat Cheese: This tangy, creamy cheese comes in many varieties, including flavours like lavender, herbs, spices, and berries. It pairs well with sweet and juicy grapes or apples, and dark chocolate.
• Blue Cheese: A polarising option that people tend to either love or hate. It goes well with apples, honey, pears, almonds, figs, and candied walnuts.
• Gruyère: A nutty-flavoured cheese that pairs well with salami or ham, grapes, figs, honey, and mustard.

Sweet Cheeses

Sweet cheeses can help balance out the salty and savoury options on your charcuterie board:

• Brie: This soft, cow's milk cheese is very versatile and can be paired with rich meats or sweeter options like jam or honey. It has a creamy, nutty aroma and a round shape, making it a beautiful addition to your board.
• Camembert: Similar to brie, this soft cheese has a creamy texture and a rich, buttery flavour.
• Burrata or Marinated Mozzarella Balls: These soft, creamy cheeses have a mild flavour and are always a popular choice. They pair well with olive oil, fresh basil, balsamic glaze, prosciutto, tomatoes, and Italian cured meats.
• Boursin Cheese: A creamy, herb and spice-infused cheese that's perfect for spreading on crackers.
• Manchego: A firm, buttery cheese from Spain. It has a tangy, nutty flavour and pairs well with figs, crusty French bread, almonds, green olives, and prosciutto.

When selecting cheeses for your charcuterie board, it's important to offer a mix of hard and soft cheeses, as well as salty and sweet options. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations and arrangements to create a beautiful and delicious spread for your guests.

Blue cheese

Types of Blue Cheese

When selecting blue cheese for your charcuterie board, you have several options. Salemville® Blue Cheese, a Wisconsin-made, award-winning variety, is a popular choice for its rich, creamy texture and flavourful veining. Other options include Stilton, Roquefort, or Gorgonzola, which are known for their pungent aroma and strong taste.

Pairing Blue Cheese

When building a charcuterie board, it's essential to consider what items pair well with blue cheese. Fresh and dried fruits, such as pears, apples, grapes, and honey, help balance the sharpness of blue cheese. Crackers, bread, or breadsticks provide a neutral base, allowing the flavour of the blue cheese to shine. For a more indulgent option, try pairing blue cheese with dark chocolate.

Accompanying Cheeses

While blue cheese is a standout on its own, you can also include other cheeses to create a well-rounded charcuterie board. Brie, goat cheese, and cheddar are excellent choices to provide a variety of textures and flavours. A soft, creamy Brie can complement the sharpness of blue cheese, while a tangy goat cheese adds another dimension to the board.

Meats and Extras

Charcuterie boards typically include a selection of meats, and there are several options that pair well with blue cheese. Salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, and pepperoni sticks are all great choices. For a keto-friendly option, you can also add beef jerky. To add some crunch to your board, consider nuts such as almonds, pecans, or pili nuts.

Presentation Tips

When assembling your charcuterie board, start by placing the cheeses, including the blue cheese, as anchors around the board. Use an odd number of cheeses, such as 3, 5, or 7, depending on the number of guests you're serving. Fold and fan out the meats to create a visually appealing display. Fill in the gaps with fruits, crackers, and nuts, separating colours to make the board more inviting.

Frequently asked questions