Andy Montoya
A cheese and fruit platter is a delightful way to entertain guests, offering a variety of flavours, colours, and textures. When creating a cheese and fruit platter, it is essential to consider the types of cheese, fruits, and additional items to include, as well as the presentation. Aim for a mix of soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses with different shapes, strengths, and textures. Popular choices include Parmesan Reggiano, Asiago, Gouda, Aged Cheddar, and Baked Brie with honey. For fruits, grapes, berries, apples, and stone fruits like peaches and plums are excellent additions. To fill in gaps, use nuts, dried fruits, crackers, and even dark chocolate. Present the platter on a wooden board or tray, arranging the items attractively, considering colour contrasts and geometric shapes. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving, and don't forget to include a sharp knife and cheese knives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | Odd numbers |
| Variety of cheese | Soft, semi-hard, hard, fresh, crumbly |
| Cheese flavour | Sweet, nutty, spicy |
| Cheese shapes | Triangles, rectangles, wheels |
| Colour | Contrasting colours |
| Quantity of cheese | 2 ounces per person |
| Fruit | Grapes, berries, apples, pears, peaches, oranges, strawberries, figs, stone fruit, tomatoes |
| Other food | Crackers, bread, nuts, chocolate, cured meats, chutney, jam, honey, olives, pickles |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese types: Aim for a mix of textures, shapes, strengths, and colours
- Fruit: Choose fruits that add colour and texture, avoiding juicy fruits
- Fillers: Use nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate to fill gaps
- Meat: Include cured meats such as salami and prosciutto for a non-vegetarian option
- Presentation: Use a variety of boards and trays to add interest
Cheese types: Aim for a mix of textures, shapes, strengths, and colours
When creating a cheese and fruit platter, it's important to offer a variety of cheese types to cater to different tastes and preferences. Aim for a mix of textures, shapes, strengths, and colours to make the platter visually appealing and exciting for your guests. Here are some ideas for cheese types that you can include:
Soft Cheeses
Soft cheeses are a great option for a fruit and cheese platter, especially during the summer when they pair well with fresh fruit. Some popular choices include:
- Fresh mozzarella: Marinate it in olive oil, salt, and chilli flakes, or serve it with cherry tomatoes and basil.
- Brie: Try baking it with honey or serving it with apricot preserves.
- Camembert
- Goat cheese: Chevin or a soft goat cheese is a good option.
- Blue cheese: Options include Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort.
- Boursin
- Feta
Semi-Hard Cheeses
Gouda is a semi-hard cheese with a sweet and nutty flavour that can add interest to your platter. If you can't find Gouda, you can substitute it with Gruyere or Manchego.
Hard Cheeses
Hard cheeses like Parmesan Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Asiago, and Grana Padano are excellent choices to include on your platter. They pair well with fruits like apples and pears and condiments such as chutneys, jams, or honey.
Other Cheeses
In addition to the above, you can include other cheeses such as:
- Cheddar: A classic, crowd-pleasing option.
- Colby Jack
- Swiss
- Babybel
- Mozzarella sticks
Remember to consider the shapes and colours of the cheeses you choose to create a visually appealing platter. For example, Parmesan Reggiano adds an interesting shape to the board, and red and green grapes can be paired with green and red pears to create colour contrast. Aim for an odd number of cheeses and vary the textures and strengths to offer a diverse selection for your guests to enjoy.
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Fruit: Choose fruits that add colour and texture, avoiding juicy fruits
When creating a fruit and cheese platter, it's important to choose fruits that complement the cheese and add colour and texture to the tray. Avoid very juicy fruits like pineapple, watermelon and strawberries, as they can make the crackers and bread soggy.
Red grapes are a classic choice, adding a good flavour and dimension to your platter. Green, red or black grapes are versatile and easy to eat, providing a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. For a pop of green, kiwi fruit is a great option, adding a tangy flavour and an eye-catching colour.
Berries are always a winner, adding colour and texture, and their sweetness is the perfect pairing. Fresh, plump, ripe berries are a must, especially on a Valentine's Day charcuterie board. Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are all excellent choices.
For a more unusual option, dragon fruit will spark curiosity and add amazing colour and texture. Melons are also a great choice, providing a firm base for softer fruits and berries. Cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon are all refreshing and delicious, especially in the summer.
To fill in any gaps, smaller fruits like berries, grapes, dried fruit, nuts and even dark chocolate can be added.
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Fillers: Use nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate to fill gaps
Fillers are an important part of a cheese and fruit tray, helping to add texture and colour contrast, and ensuring there is no empty space on the tray. Nuts, dried fruit and chocolate are all excellent filler options.
Nuts add a savoury, crunchy texture to the tray. Good options include pistachios, Marcona almonds, macadamia nuts, and cashews. These can be placed in small piles around the tray, or in any gaps that remain after the cheese and fruit have been arranged.
Dried fruit is another excellent filler, adding sweetness and colour. Apricots, raisins, and cranberries are all good options. These can be scattered across the tray, or placed in small piles.
Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, is a great addition to a cheese and fruit tray. Squares or shards of dark chocolate can be placed in gaps, or used to decorate the tray.
Other fillers that can be used include crackers, breadsticks, and bread. These can be used to fill gaps, or to separate different types of cheese and fruit.
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Meat: Include cured meats such as salami and prosciutto for a non-vegetarian option
When creating a cheese and fruit platter, it's important to remember that cured meats are a great non-vegetarian option. Salami and prosciutto are classic choices, but you can also consider other cured meats such as Parma ham, Coppa, Black Forest ham, sliced chorizo, or mortadella. These meats provide a savoury contrast to the sweetness of the fruit and the creaminess of the cheese.
If you decide to include cured meats, plan for 2 ounces of meat per person, similar to the amount of cheese you would include. This ensures that your guests have a generous selection to choose from and can create their ideal ratio of meat to cheese to fruit.
When arranging the platter, cured meats can be placed in between the cheese and fruit to create a visually appealing display. You can also add interest by rolling or folding the meats, or by using different types of meat to create a variety of textures and colours. For example, the deep red of salami slices contrasted with the lighter colour of prosciutto can create a pleasing aesthetic.
To further enhance the flavour and texture of the platter, consider adding crackers, bread, or breadsticks. These provide a base for your guests to create bite-sized combinations of meat, cheese, and fruit. You can also offer condiments such as jams, chutneys, or honey to elevate the flavours of the meat and cheese.
Remember, when creating a cheese and fruit platter with cured meats, variety is key. Offer a range of meat options, along with a mix of cheeses and fruits, to create a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience for your guests.
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Presentation: Use a variety of boards and trays to add interest
When it comes to presenting your cheese and fruit tray, variety is key. Using a variety of boards and trays will make your spread more interesting and visually appealing. Start by choosing a board or tray that is large enough to accommodate all your cheeses, fruits, and accompaniments. You can use wooden boards, which are a classic choice, or get creative with marble, resin, acrylic, or even woven trays. These different materials will add texture and interest to your display.
Consider the size of your gathering when selecting a tray. For a smaller group, a cake stand can work well, providing an elegant presentation. For larger groups, you might opt for a larger wooden board or even a table-length tray to create a bountiful spread. Using a variety of boards and trays of different sizes and shapes will make your presentation more dynamic and engaging.
Another way to add interest is to use small bowls or dishes on your tray. These can hold accompaniments such as olives, pickles, jams, or nuts, adding variety to the heights and textures on your tray. Group similar items together to create a sense of balance and harmony on your board. For example, you could place a small bowl of olives alongside a cluster of grapes, creating a play of colours and shapes that will delight your guests.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of boards and trays. You can mix and match different materials and sizes to find a setup that suits your style and the occasion. Remember, the presentation of your cheese and fruit tray is just as important as the delicious items you choose to include. By using a variety of boards and trays, you'll create a visually appealing spread that will impress your guests and make your gathering memorable.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to have a variety of cheeses to showcase different flavours and textures and to cater to a variety of palates. Include a mix of soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses. Some examples include Parmesan reggiano, Asiago, gouda, aged cheddar, baked brie with honey, camembert, goat cheese, blue cheese, and fresh mozzarella.
Fruits add sweetness and colour to the tray. Avoid juicy fruits like pineapple or watermelon as they will make the crackers and bread soggy. Good options include red grapes, green apples, berries, pears, peaches, strawberries, figs, oranges, and stone fruits like nectarines, plums, and cherries.
Fill in the gaps with nuts, crackers, bread, breadsticks, or dried fruit. You can also add bowls of spreads like jams, chutneys, or honey. For a more savoury option, include cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, or sliced chorizo.
Plan for 2 ounces of cheese per person. If you're including cured meats, plan for 2 ounces of meat per person as well. If the tray is more of a meal than an appetizer, you may want to increase the amount.
Use a wooden board or tray to display the items. You can also use marble, resin, acrylic, or a simple cookie tray. Arrange the larger items like cheese and crackers first, then add the fruits and spreads, separating them by colour and texture. Fill in any gaps with the smaller items, ensuring the tray looks full and abundant.
