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Cheeseboard

Entertaining and cheese - perfect partners

When you're creating a cheeseboard keep these basic guidelines in mind.

  • Maximise flavour - allow cheese to 'breathe' at room temperature (1 hour in Summer, 2 in Winter).
  • Retain moisture by cutting so that the smallest surface area is open to the air.
  • Rewrap cheese well to store.
  • Crackers - choose plain unsalted. Don't overpower your cheese.
  • Fruit - choose those which complement your cheese.
    -  Cheddars: apples, pears, cherries, apricots.
    -  Delicate cheese: green grapes, nectarines, kiwifruit.
    -  Medium cheeses: red or black grapes, peaches, oranges, melon.
    -  Strong cheeses: plums, feijoas, tamarillos.
  • Arrange the cheeseboard attractively taking into account colours, shapes and textures - you can combine like with like or go for contrasts.·  Add piquancy with savoury accompaniments like olives, sun dried tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, grilled peppers, walnuts.·  Remember your 'board' doesn't have to be a board - any exciting platter will contribute to the overall effect.·  Flavour of accompanying wines shouldn't overwhelm the cheese or visa versa.

The versatile, any occasion cheeseboard

A cheeseboard is ideal for a wide range of occasions from informal to very formal.·  Incorporate a cheeseboard into a larger meal as a course by itself or as part of a smorgasboard or buffet.·  What about pre dinner nibbles, morning and afternoon teas, informal entertaining or TV snacks?·  Try breakfasting in the European style with cheese, rolls and coffee.·  Don't overlook the traditional cheese and wine party - as formal or informal as you like for business or social occasions.


What to choose?

Colour, taste and shape - use them to make your cheeseboard interesting and varied. The average cheeseboard will contain 3-4 cheeses along with a couple of accompaniments as mentioned above. Ideally, the cheeses you choose should be different shapes, colours and textures with a variation of flavours and possibly strength of flavours (i.e. use a strong, a medium and a mild cheese).

An example for a cheeseboard would be to use Bouton D'Or Double Cream Golden Brie, Bouton D'Or Bohemian Blue and Bouton D'Or Creamy Havarti along with a few crackers, grapes and sliced peaches or melon.

Another cheeseboard could be Bouton D'Or Basil Pepper Camembert, Bouton D'Or Brie and Bouton D'Or Feta with grilled peppers, olives, kiwifruit and a few crackers.


How much to Serve?

  • Cheeseboard replacing desert 60g - 120g per person (depending on meal size)
  • After dinner or lunch 30g - 85g per person (depending on meal size)
  • Luncheon buffet 30g - 60g per person
  • Morning or Afternoon tea 30g - 85g per person
  • Breakfast 60g - 120g per person (depending on rest of meal)
  • Cheese and wine party or supper 70g - 150g per person (depending on accompaniments)