Does your European cheeseboard cut it?

Cheese may have been around for 10,000 years but there is a modern way to present it to your guests. Educate yourself on the perfect cheeseboard and then test your knowledge in our quiz. 

Let them breathe

Before serving the cheeses, let them stand for at least an hour and a half at room temperature so that they develop their aromas fully.

Choice is key

Offer a variety of cheeses that harmoniously combines flavours, shapes and textures.

The rule of three

A pressed cheese, a soft cheese and a blue-veined cheese.

Cheese apogée

Five cheeses from different families, adding, for example, fresh cheese and a selection of goat’s cheeses.

Be platter-perfect

Be sure to use a neutral cheese platter that will not taint the taste of your cheese(s), avoiding metal in particular.

Follow the clock

Place the cheeses from the mildest to the strongest, in a clockwise direction, in order to encourage gradual, step-by-step tasting.

Know your knives

Place several cheese knives on the platter (at least one knife for each type of cheese) to avoid mixing their flavours. Cheese knives are not just pretty, each of them has a role to play and it’s worth investing in a set you will keep for life. The basic concept is to minimise the cutting effort by using tools with a rather thin blade, on which the cheese will stick less, and without teeth to avoid damaging the slice.

Space to breathe

Space the cheeses well apart to facilitate slicing.

Quintessential partners

Finally, offer an assortment of breads, wines and, if you can, fresh and dried fruit, fruit paste or jam to enhance your tasting. Even trendier, add some apéritif crackers.

Last but not least

Be creative with your crockery… use mismatched plates found at flea markets or car boot sales, small slabs of marble or slate…as long as they can be washed thoroughly and do not retain odours, follow your mood.

Cheese is part and parcel of British Life

• 25% of Brits eat French cheese several times a week
• 43% of Brits eat French cheese at least once a week
• 68% of Brits eat French cheese at least once a month

*Source: Harris Interactive 2021

Think you know your cheese? Test out your cheese knowledge and be in with the chance to win £250 and one of two sumptuous cheese hampers

Photo: D Meignan, CNIEL