How to Create the Perfect Cheese Platter

Who doesn't want an excuse to sample new cheeses from a lovely cheese board? The part that takes some thought is figuring out which grocery store cheeses to pick. Obviously, you want to include the most delicious or intriguing cheeses you can find (goat cheese is always a great option) and give your cheese board variety.

Whether you've never crafted a cheese platter or you're a pro just looking for more ideas, this guide will teach you the best strategy for a perfect cheese platter. Here's how to create the most inviting cheese board possible.

How to Select Cheese

When you're thinking about what types of cheese to put on your platter, there are a few guidelines you can follow that are simple but will make the board amazing. First, serve at least one familiar cheese like Gouda or Brie. Not everyone is adventurous; you may have guests who want to stick with what they know, which is fine. Make sure you give them something familiar but great. Then, choose at least one from each of the following categories:

Aged or Hard Cheese

Aged or hard cheese brings texture and boldness to a cheese board. The flavors of these cheeses are usually more robust than a soft or firm cheese. When cheese ages, chemical reactions take place, including lactic acid development, protein breakdown, and moisture loss, all of which contribute to the stronger flavor. Some aged cheeses to try are Asiago, Parmesan, and Reggiano.

Soft or Creamy Cheese

Soft or creamy cheeses have a higher moisture content than hard cheeses (between 42 and 80 percent) and can have a milder and/or tart flavor profile. These cheeses are usually only aged for weeks, and some come with a rind on the outside to keep the cheese wheel intact. Some types of soft or creamy cheeses include Brie, Camembert, and Brillat-Savarin.

Firm Cheese

Firm cheeses can either skew more robust or have a mild flavor, depending on the cheese. They have less moisture than hard cheeses but more than creamy cheeses, which puts them right in the middle of the spectrum texture-wise. Some of the more robust firm cheeses are Gouda and Aged Cheddar, while Manchego and Swiss fall on the milder end of the flavor spectrum.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese kind of falls into a category all of its own, as its texture can be smoother or more on the crumbly side. However, one thing is true across the board: blue cheese is a strong cheese. Some people shy away from blue cheese because the "blue" comes from the edible mold that grows on the cheese during the aging process. However, it's perfectly safe to eat and pairs impeccably with apples, pears, grapes, and dried fruits. Some varieties of blue cheese include Gorgonzola, Dolce, Valdeón, and Stilton.

Goat or Sheep's Milk Cheese

Another option is to include cheeses other than cow's milk cheese, like goat and sheep's milk. Both goat and sheep's milk cheeses usually have a tangier, tarter flavor profile than cow's milk cheese, and both also have more protein. Some goat's milk cheeses include Bucheron, Anejo, and feta; sheep's milk cheeses include Crozier Blue, Manchego, and Roquefort.

Choosing a Cheese Board Theme

Why not have some fun with your cheese board? Picking a theme can liven up the platter, plus it will give you a sense of what types of accoutrements to include with your cheeses. Here are some ideas:

Seasonal Theme

Sticking with seasonal produce will ensure that you always succeed with dishes, and the same is true for cheese platters. For spring, you could do fresh goat cheese, chives, and pickled asparagus. Sweeten things up for summertime with berries, honey, and Brie. For autumn, alpine cheeses, dried figs, nuts, and grapes will do well. And for winter, jam, pears, crackers, and an aged cheddar.

Geographical Theme

Doing a geographic theme with your cheese board would narrow down your options while still giving you a good amount of variety. For example, a French cheese night with Brie, Roquefort, and Emmental with a big French baguette would be a hit. Or you could try an Italian night with Fontina, Burrata, and Gorgonzola served with crostini. If you're feeling really adventurous, try sourcing cheeses that are only from your state for your theme night.

Add the Right Accompaniments

The right accompaniments can make or break a perfectly balanced cheese platter. Here are some no-fail food pairings to add to your board:

• A selection of breads. Include sliced baguettes, bread sticks, and crackers in different shapes and sizes. Vary taste and texture among the breads as well as the cheeses.
• Jarred condiments and vegetables. Think tart chutneys, spicy mustards, infused olive oil. You might add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and caponata. If you have time, prepare caramelized onions, which complement most cheese plates.
• An assortment of meats. Or just one protein if you don't have a lot of meat enthusiasts on the guest list. Cured meats like prosciutto and salami complement cheese boards well.
• Something salty. Other than cured meats, which do bring a salty element to the table, nuts like pistachios, Marcona almonds, and pecans are always a hit.
• And something sweet. Staying on the nut track, candied nuts go fabulously with saltier cheeses. Honeys and jams are a classic charcuterie staple, along with assorted seasonal and dried fruits, which can include figs, cherries, apples, and pears.

Putting Together Your Cheese Board

Now that you've got all your ingredients, it's time to put together a gorgeous, Insta-worthy spread. There are a few ways that you can ensure your cheese board will be talked about until your next gathering. Here are some tips:

Arrange Your Spread

1. Start with the larger items, like bowls for nuts, olives, pickles, or condiments.
2. Next, put your cheeses down (they are the star, after all!).
3. Put crackers and breads on the outside perimeter of the board.
4. Fill in the middle with any meats and fresh or dried fruits.
5. Finish with flowers or herbs (you can even do edible herbs—rosemary is perfect for cheese boards).
   

Spread Things Out

If you want to serve a pungent, stinky-socks type of cheese, place it on a separate plate so it doesn't overpower the more delicate ones. Four or five choices are enough. Place the cheese platters and the other nibbles on several tables to avoid guest gridlock.

Use a Separate Knife for Each Cheese

Using a separate knife for each cheese won't just ensure ease of cutting; it also makes sure the flavors of the cheeses don't mix together. You want people to be able to savor the flavor of each individual cheese. Soft cheese spreads well with a butter knife; firm cheese might require a paring knife; and aged cheese often requires a cheese plane.

Label Cheeses

Affix a label to each cheese. You won't need to recite the names all evening, and you can jot down a few poetic adjectives describing their flavors. This is also an opportunity to get creative! You could do little flags for the country of the cheese, then write the name on the back. Or perhaps calligraphy calls to you; now is a great time to put those skills to use with some beautiful name tents.

How to Properly Store Leftover Cheese

If you shopped in advance, preserve the cheese's quality long after it leaves the store. Cheese's expiration date depends on the type. Harder cheese tends to last longer than soft cheese.

If there are leftovers, store the cheese properly to enjoy again later. First, wrap any cheese in plastic wrap or wax paper and place it in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. Don't store it in the door, where the temperature is less stable.