How to Build Your Cheese Board
Nothing shows off more than a fantastic cheese board if you’re hosting a party or having a get-together with friends/family. Cheese boards are great because you can set them out when your guests show up, and it keeps them from getting too hungry while you prepare dinner.
But knowing how to build a great cheese board can set you up for success every time.
The first step is also the most important, buying the right kinds of cheeses; this can seem daunting, especially since there are dozens of different cheeses available in cheese shops and grocery stores that range in flavor, firmness, texture, and smell.
How do you know you’re buying the right set of cheeses? Well, one of the best ways to learn is to ask whoever runs or works at the cheese shop or cheese section of the grocery store. They likely hire cheese experts that know what cheeses pair well with each other.
However, if you’re introverted like me, here are a few things to think about. You could try different cheeses made from the same milk, like an array of goat’s cheeses. You could try different ages of the same cheese, like brie aged for a week, two weeks, or longer. Or, you can experiment; take one or two cheeses you know you like, plus a few that might be unfamiliar to you, and pair them up.
Okay, now that you have your cheeses, you’ll want to leave them out at room temperature at least an hour before you serve them. Serving cold cheese is not good because a lot of the flavors become muddled; by serving the cheese warm, not only do you get those subtle flavors, but you can have the board ready for when your guests show up.
As for setting up your board, make sure you don’t overcrowd the board, as this can make slicing the cheese more awkward, so make sure to spread them out across the board.
Tip: Not everyone likes strong cheeses, so if you’re serving a blue cheese or any other strong cheese, put it on its own separate platter; that way, you won’t overpower any other cheeses with the pungent cheese.
Another important tip is this, use only one knife for some of your cheeses. What happens is that the knife will pick up the flavors of the different cheeses, and before you know it, your cheeses will end up tasting the same. So, grab a separate knife for each cheese to taste its flavors.
When it comes to slicing the cheese, please do not cut it into cubes and leave it out; not only will the cheese dry out faster, but the cheese board will start to look like a deli platter. Instead, slice the cheese in the same direction as the wedge for a more excellent presentation.
Additional components: As great as cheese is, it’s not the only thing that can go on a cheese board.
Nuts, fruit, cured meat, bread, crackers, and your favorite jams or spreads are a delicious way to add to the overall look of the platter and enhance the flavor and texture of the cheese-eating experience. The great thing is that these additions can pair well with any cheese, so feel free to experiment with different cheeses and garnishes.
(The cheeses are also great with wine, but you didn’t hear that from me!)
If you’ve followed all of my tips, you’ll find a platter full of cheese that will treat your guests right.
