We can all agree that cheese boards may be one of the best appetizers to enjoy year-round! With a little savory, a little salty, and of course, some sweet, your taste buds will all be met! Charcuterie boards are great for parties and small gatherings or even just as a treat-yourself meal for two! You may be thinking, great, thanks to an array of cheeses, but, how to make a cheese board look attractive? The key to this is the cutting and arranging of what you put on a charcuterie board! I think the best arrangements are done in an organic style, so no precise arranging here! In today’s post, we’ll go through what to purchase for a cheese board, what to use as a base or board, and style complementary foods for your appetizer!

What cheeses to put on a cheese board?

So much of what cheeses to select for your cheese board depends on your preference, but if you find yourself making a board for a crowd, balance is best! I usually purchase a combination of hard cheeses, soft cheeses, dips, and firm cheese. Some examples of these types of cheeses are listed below,

• Firm Cheese: Gloucester, Gouda, Cheddar Cheese, Gorgonzola

• Soft Cheese: Goat, Brie, Boursin, Mozzarella

• Hard Cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Manchego

Most people’s cheese tastes range from preference in texture and overall refinement, so it’s good to grab a few different varieties from each type. A few additional segments of cheese types of texture also take into consideration, which may fall between one of the above categories. From a creamy Toscano to a crumby aged blue cheese, these are also great to add variety!

How to Style a Cheese Board?

Start in the center of the board and work your way around the center. Sometimes I’ll place things slightly off-center as I did in the below example. Using a hummus container, I set various cheeses and nuts, working my way out until I reached the edge of the wood board. The below tips are great for hosting and will further help your guest enjoy your charcuterie board!

• Use Cheese Markers - If you’ll be creating a cheese board for a crowd, its best to utilize cheese markers (seen here) to help guests identify which cheeses!

• Depot Cheese Dips, Oily Nuts, and Spreads - It not only makes clean-up a breeze, but it also separates cheeses from becoming over-saturated with excess oils, or compote that you may be placed on your board. 

• Use Bite-Size Cuts - Cheeseboards are supposed to be appetizers, so it’s best to cut your cheeses and fruit to be bite-size. This makes it much easier for guests to take a few pieces and move on. For soft cheeses like Brie or cheese spread, such as pub cheese, leave out a small knife or spread. 

• Bring Everything to Room Temp: Cheese tastes best and to full flavor when brought to room temperature. The easiest way to do this is the bring everything out at once when assembling. If you are creating your cheeseboard in advance, bring out ahead of company arrival. 

What Else Should I add to a Cheeseboard?

It's all about balance! Think fruit (dried and fresh), nuts, and crackers! Below are a few of my go-to items to pick-up from Trader Joe's for your next charcuterie board:

• NUTS - Trader Joe's Roasted and Salted Marcona Almonds with Rosemary, Trader Joes Pistachio Unsalted Shelled Dry Roasted, Trader Joe's Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds

• FRUIT - Fresh Pink Lady Apples, Fresh Green Grapes, Trader Joe's Dried Apricots, Trader Joes Fig Fruit Butter

• CRACKERS - Trader Joe's Raisin Rosemary Crisps, Trader Joe's Multigrain & Flaxseed Water Crackers, Trader Joe's Brioche Toasts, Trader Joe's Pita Bite Crackers.

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