Cheese Platter 101: Selecting The Perfect Cheeses For Your Board

A cheese platter is an essential dish for any gathering, big or small. It's easy to put together and offers something for everyone. The key to a great cheese platter is variety. You can mix and match different types of cheese, textures, and flavours to create a well-rounded and enticing platter.

When selecting cheeses, it's a good idea to include a range of options, such as soft, semi-firm, and hard or aged cheeses. Go for crowd favourites like Gouda or Brie, but also throw in some unique options like blue cheese or goat's cheese. Aim for three to five different types of cheese, with about three ounces of cheese per person.

To elevate your cheese platter, don't forget the accompaniments. Offer a variety of crackers, crusty bread, or baguette. Include some cured meats like salami or prosciutto. Add some fresh seasonal fruit or dried fruits, and don't forget the nuts! You can also get creative with pickled or marinated items, and even something sweet like jam or honey.

When arranging your cheese platter, start with the larger items like bowls for nuts or condiments. Place your cheeses down next, as they are the star of the show. Put crackers and breads on the outer perimeter, and fill in the middle with meats and fruits. Finish with some herbs or flowers for a touch of elegance.

Soft cheeses: Brie, Camembert, goat's cheese, cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, etc

Soft cheeses are a staple of any cheese platter, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some tips and suggestions for including soft cheeses on your cheese platter:

Brie and Camembert

These two soft-ripened cheeses are classic choices for a cheese platter. Brie has a rich, buttery, and fruity flavour, becoming earthier with age. It is best enjoyed at room temperature, spread on crackers or bread. Camembert has a similar flavour profile to Brie, and both cheeses have a soft, edible rind and a creamy interior. You can use a vegetable peeler to remove the paper from the Brie before serving.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a tangy and pungent soft cheese with a unique flavour due to the presence of fatty acids. It is often served on charcuterie boards with jams or mixed into salads. Goat cheese typically comes in a white log or roll shape.

Cream Cheese, Mascarpone, and Ricotta

These three soft cheeses are all mild and creamy, with high moisture content. Cream cheese and mascarpone are very similar, while ricotta is made from leftover whey or whole milk and has a shorter shelf life. These cheeses are excellent bases for dips and spreads, or can be served simply with crackers or bread.

When selecting soft cheeses for your platter, it is best to choose a variety of options, such as some basics and some seasonal cheeses. You can also get creative with the display, cutting the cheeses into spears, wedges, cubes, or rolls. Remember to let the soft cheeses come to room temperature before serving, as this will enhance their flavour.

Semi-hard cheeses: Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyère, Jarlsberg, etc

Semi-hard cheeses are a staple of any cheese platter, and for good reason. They offer a range of flavours and textures that are sure to please any palate. When selecting semi-hard cheeses for your platter, consider the following:

Variety is the Spice of Life

A good rule of thumb when selecting cheeses for your platter is to choose a variety of options that will cater to different tastes and preferences. This means including a mix of familiar favourites and more adventurous selections. For semi-hard cheeses, this could include Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyère, Jarlsberg, and more. Offering a range of cheeses will ensure your guests have plenty of options to choose from and can find something to suit their tastes.

Know Your Cheeses

When creating a cheese platter, it's important to understand the different types of cheeses available and how they can complement each other. Semi-hard cheeses, also known as "firm" or "medium-firm" cheeses, have a texture that falls between soft and hard cheeses. They are not as crumbly or dry as hard cheeses, but they are also not as creamy or spreadable as soft cheeses. This makes them a good middle ground, offering a balance of flavours and textures that can appeal to a wide range of palates.

Cheddar: A Classic Favourite

Cheddar is a cow's milk cheese that is widely consumed and loved around the world. It is known for its signature texture and flavour, which is achieved through a unique "cheddaring" process where the curds are broken up to eliminate air and liquid before being stacked and pressed for ageing. Young cheddars tend to be mild and creamy, while aged cheddars develop a more complex flavour profile and a crumbly texture. When selecting Cheddar for your platter, consider offering both a young and an aged variety to give your guests a range of options.

Gouda: A Versatile Choice

Gouda is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that originated in the Netherlands and dates back to the 12th century. It has a rich, caramelised flavour and a springy texture that makes it a versatile choice for any platter. Younger Goudas tend to be mild and creamy, while aged Goudas take on a deeper, nuttier, and butterier flavour with a crystallised appearance. When selecting Gouda for your platter, consider offering a variety of ages to showcase the range of flavours and textures this cheese can offer.

Gruyère: A Swiss Favourite

Gruyère is a cow's milk cheese named after the Swiss town of Gruyères, where it was originally produced. It is a versatile cheese that is beloved for its melting properties and is commonly used in dishes such as French onion soup and croque monsieur. Gruyère has a sweet and slightly salty flavour that becomes more earthy and complex as it matures. When fully aged, it develops a slightly grainy texture with small cracks. When selecting Gruyère for your platter, consider offering a young and an aged variety to showcase the range of flavours this cheese can offer.

Jarlsberg: A Norwegian Delight

Jarlsberg is a semi-hard cheese that originated in Norway. It has a mild, nutty flavour and a creamy, buttery texture that makes it a delightful addition to any platter. Jarlsberg is a relatively young cheese, as it was first produced in the late 1950s, but it has quickly become a favourite around the world. When selecting Jarlsberg for your platter, look for a cheese with a smooth, closed texture and a yellow-brown rind.

Presentation Tips

When presenting your semi-hard cheeses, consider slicing them in different ways to add visual interest to your platter. You can offer spears, wedges, cubes, or slices, or even leave some cheeses whole. Slicing the cheese yourself will ensure freshness and allow you to control the thickness and size of the slices. Display the cheeses in a way that showcases their different textures and colours, and be sure to provide appropriate knives and markers for each cheese to make it easy for your guests to identify and enjoy them.

Hard cheeses: Parmesan, Manchego, Pecorino, etc

Hard cheeses are a great addition to a cheese platter, bringing texture and boldness to the selection. When cheese ages, chemical reactions take place, including lactic acid development, protein breakdown, and moisture loss, all of which contribute to a stronger flavour.

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a well-known hard cheese that is often included on a cheese platter. It has a strong flavour and is best served in chunks or slices, making it easier for guests to eat without having to saw through it with a knife. Parmesan is best paired with stronger flavours, such as apples, pears, grapes and dried fruits.

Manchego is another popular hard cheese that can be included on a platter. Manchego has a rich, caramelised flavour and a springy texture, and it is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with other foods. Younger Manchego is mild and creamy, while the aged variety is deeper in flavour with a crystallised appearance.

Pecorino is a hard sheep's milk cheese with a strong, tangy flavour. It is often included on cheese platters and pairs well with stronger flavours such as fruits and nuts.

When serving hard cheeses, it is best to use a separate knife for each variety to ensure that the flavours do not mix. It is also a good idea to allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving, as this will enhance the flavour.

Blue cheese: Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, etc

Blue cheese is a strong cheese with a bold flavour and a crumbly texture. It is often paired with fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, and dried fruits. When selecting blue cheese for your platter, you can choose from a variety of options, including:

• Gorgonzola: A strong blue cheese with a tangy flavour and a creamy texture.
• Roquefort: A French sheep's milk cheese renowned for its pungent aroma and intense, complex flavour.
• Stilton: A bold and crumbly English cheese with blue veins.
• Dolce
• Valdeón

When creating a cheese platter, it is recommended to include a variety of cheeses with different textures and milk types. Blue cheese can be included as one of the "something funky" options, as described by Love and Lemons. It is a good idea to provide a mix of familiar and adventurous cheeses to cater to different tastes.

To enhance the flavour of blue cheese, it is best served at room temperature. You can place it on a separate plate to avoid overpowering the more delicate cheeses. Use a separate knife for the blue cheese to avoid mixing flavours.

Accompaniments: crackers, bread, cured meats, nuts, honey, jam, olives, etc

When it comes to accompaniments, there are many options to choose from, including crackers, bread, cured meats, nuts, honey, jam, and olives. Here are some tips and suggestions for each:

Crackers

Crackers form the foundation of your cheese platter, providing a solid base for your guests to build on. Opt for a variety of shapes and textures, such as round crackers, long cracker sticks, pita chips, and crostini. Look for crackers that contain nuts, seeds, and whole grains to offer a range of flavours and textures. Some specific recommendations include:

• Effie's Homemade Oatcakes
• Lesley Stowe Hazelnut Cranberry Raincoast Crisps
• La Panzanella Mini Rosemary Croccantini
• Firehook Sea Salt Mediterranean Crackers
• Rustic Bakery Rosemary & Olive Oil Flatbread Crackers
• 34 Degrees Natural Crispbread

Bread

Bread, like crackers, provides a base for your cheese and other toppings. A crusty French baguette is a classic choice, but you can also offer slices of Irish Guinness Brown Bread or a sourdough baguette. If you want to get creative, try breadsticks or pretzels for a crunchy texture.

Cured Meats

Cured meats, such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, and summer sausage, add a savoury and salty element to your cheese platter. Look for pre-sliced varieties to make assembly easier, and be sure to fan out the slices so guests can easily grab a piece. Some specific meat and cheese platter combinations to try include:

• Mozzarella drizzled with balsamic vinegar + basil pesto + cherry heirloom tomato
• Watermelon + prosciutto
• Goat cheese + blackberry jam + butter crackers
• Red grapes + roasted red pepper hummus
• Manchego + salami + water crackers
• Cheddar + red grapes
• Cherries + almonds

Nuts

Nuts provide texture and flavour to your cheese platter. Look for roasted and salted varieties, and consider toasting them to enhance their flavour. Pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts, cashews, and hazelnuts are all excellent choices. If you want to get creative, try candied pecans or spiced rosemary almonds.

Honey

Honey is a classic pairing with cheese, especially mild and creamy cheeses, spicy blues, aged cheeses, or tangy, acidic cheeses. Drizzle honey over a wedge of cheese or serve it on the side. You can also offer pieces of honeycomb for a unique presentation. Some specific cheese and honey combinations to try include:

• Ricotta + honey + prosciutto + fruit (figs, apricots, or berries)
• Brie or triple cream cheese + honey + nuts
• Blue cheese + honey
• Parmigiano-Reggiano or sharp cheddar + honey
• Fresh goat cheese or feta + honey

Jam

Jam, like honey, provides a sweet contrast to the saltiness of cheese. Fig jam, peach jam, and orange jam are popular choices, but you can also get creative with raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or lemon jam. Some specific cheese and jam combinations to try include:

• Goat cheese + fig jam
• Camembert + fig jam
• Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino + pear jam
• Gorgonzola or Roquefort + pear jam
• Pecorino from Sardinia, Formaggio di Fossa, or Gorgonzola + peach jam
• Bra duro or Piave Vecchio + forest fruit jam
• Ricotta, Camembert, or mascarpone + orange jam
• Ricotta, burrata, mascarpone, or fresh robiola + lemon jam

Olives

Olives are a classic addition to any cheese platter, offering a salty and savoury contrast to the other elements. Look for mixed olives, such as kalamata, green, or niçoise, and consider offering a small bowl for the pits. You can also offer tapenade or pickled peppers, such as pepperoncini, for a briny flavour.

Frequently asked questions