When it comes to making the perfect charcuterie board, having the right items displayed in a unique way, can make all the difference. The cheese and meats that you select when putting your charcuterie together are perhaps the most important items for this artisan appetizer. Every charcuterie board wants to be the highlight of your party and gathering, and it all starts with selecting great cheeses. When you choose the best cheeses for your charcuterie board, you'll give your guests an amazing taste and texture experience and help your charcuterie board live its best life. Because the cheese is the star of the show, we are going to review some cheeses to use for a charcuterie board, so you can make it the talk of the town.
Cheeses to Use for a Charcuterie Board
When it comes to creating a great charcuterie board, the choices are endless. You can keep it as simple or make it as fancy as you would like, the key is providing a great flavor profile that provides options. Charcuterie boards can contain many different items: cured and smoked meats, olives and nuts, dried or fresh fruits, crackers or bread, jelly or jam, pickles, and of course, cheese.
A marvelous charcuterie board offers guests a wide range of tastes and texture combinations. For cheese, that means choosing at least 5 varieties that offer a nice diversity for the palate.
Below are some suggestions for cheeses to use for a charcuterie board:
- Hard Cheese: Add chunks of parmesan, asiago, and/or sharp cheddar. Cheddar cheese originated in an English village and is a well-loved hard cheese with a nutty, sharp taste. It ranges from sweet and creamy to bitter and sharp in flavor. In general, the longer the cheddar has aged, the sharper the flavor.
- Semi-Soft Cheese: Include some cheese that is semi-soft. Cheese like havarti, butter cheese, muenster, or mozzarella can add a great texture and flavor difference to their harder counterparts. Gouda is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese originating in the Netherlands. With a nutty, buttery taste infused with notes of caramel, gouda cheese is an all-around crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for charcuterie boards.
- Soft Cheese: To keep up with the different textures, you should try to add a soft cheese to your board. Look to add Brie, cream cheese, boursin, goat, feta, gorgonzola, and other soft and melt in your mouth cheeses. These cheeses are often soft and spreadable adding a nice alternative to your other cheese offerings.
- Spicy Cheese: Get creative and add some spice and flavor to your charcuterie board. People have a different spice tolerance, so be sure to offer a variety for those who prefer a little more heat on their palate. Try our spicy sicilian habanero cheese or select a jalapeno cheese.
- Smoked Cheese: No charcuterie board is complete without a smoked cheese. Smoked cheese adds a totally different flavor profile to your board. Add a smoked gouda, smoked cheddar, smoked spicy cheese, etc. The possibilities are really endless; however, it’s important to ensure you have some type of cheese with a smoky profile.
- Dessert Cheese: Adding a sweet cheese to your charcuterie board can make all the difference. There are cheeses that taste like chocolate, caramel, and/or include fruits in them. Try to get creative and find a cheese that offers a sweet alternative to the other more savory options.
When it comes to what cheeses to use for a charcuterie board, you really can get innovative. Think about providing texture and flavor options that will light up your guests’ taste buds and supply options for all different types of preferences.
At Fire Star Pickles & Sausages, we offer unique artisan cheese options. Accompany our cheeses with some our smoked sausages and pickles, to create the charcuterie board your guests have been dreaming about.
Browse our store today and join the expanding Five Star family!
