Are you a seasoned cheese connoisseur or new to the world of cheese? Either way, you’ll find it no problem creating a delicious cheese platter. It really isn't difficult! To help you get started, we’ve put together a number of tips for you below. If you’re expecting a visit from friends or family, follow the rules below. They’ll be amazed by your well-presented board!
Which cheeses should I serve on my cheese board?
The possibilities are endless and there’s no such thing as the ideal cheese platter, so we recommend that you focus on the flavors that you and your guests like.
These are the five cheese families:
- White mold cheeses - Brie and Camembert, etc.
- Goat and sheep cheeses - Manchego and soft goat cheese, etc.
- Hard and semi-hard cheeses - Gouda farmer’s cheese and Parmesan cheese, etc.
- Red rind cheeses - Époisse and Port Salut, etc.
- Blue cheeses: Roquefort and Gorgonzola, etc.
For guaranteed success, make sure you include a cheese from each of the cheese families on your cheese board! Consider any dietary requirements your guests might have in mind too: for example, pregnant women are not allowed to eat unpasteurized cheeses.
What else will you need to think about when preparing a cheese platter?
Let your fantasy run wild and do what you think is best. Just remember the following basic rules:
- Serve an uneven number of cheeses: 3, 5 or 7.
- Add a variety of cheese types, like the ones mentioned above.
- Take your cheese out of the refrigerator at least an hour in advance to allow it to reach room temperature. But don’t leave it in the sun or near a heat source.
- Cut off a small piece of cheese; this invites people to take a piece and/or cut off some cheese themselves.
- Vary the shapes you use: cut your cheeses into different shapes like slices, blocks and points.
- Add tasty garnishes like (seasonal) fruit, fig chutney, olives, nuts, dried sausage, crackers and date loaf.
- Serve your cheese on a beautiful BOSKA serving board.
- Last but not least: use a separate cheese knife for each of your cheeses to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that each piece of cheese retains its unique taste.
How much cheese do you need per person?
How much cheese you put on a cheese platter per person, depends on the occasion:
- As side dish: 75 to 100 grams per person.
- As a snack after dinner: 125 to 150 grams per person.
- As (only) snack during a party: 150 (normal eater) to 200 grams (big eater) per person.
Which cheese knives will you need for your cheese board?
The right cheese knives are the finishing touch to the perfect cheese board. We recommend you use our specialist cheese knives or cheese knife sets. You’ll find that you cut through cheese with ease - and add to the cheese board experience - armed with the right cheese knife. The best knives for the job will depend on the structure of the cheeses you’re serving. The closer the blade of your knife is to the structure of the cheese you’re serving, the easier and finer you’ll be able to cut or break off cheese. It can affect the taste of cheese too, which will achieve its full potential with the right knife.
If you’d like to know which cheese knife to choose for which type of cheese, read our blog: ‘This is how you find the right knife for the right cheese!’.
Complete your cheeseboard with stylish cheese knife sets
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