Arrange a tempting cheese tray

Selection tips

Texture and flavor

Most cheese belongs to one of four basic categories: aged, soft, firm or blue. For a good variety, choose at least one from each group. Some examples:

• Aged: Aged Cheddar, Comte, Goat Gouda
• Soft: Brie, Camembert, Taleggio
• Firm: Manchego, Mimolette, Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Blue: Gorgonzola Dolce, Roquefort, Stilton

Milk type

You also can select cheese by the type of milk used (cow, goat, sheep) to ensure a range of different flavors on the plate.

Consider all palates

Make sure to offer something for everyone. Start with something "safe" (a mild cheese like Brie), and build to more intense flavors.

A few suggestions

• Local cheese plate: Beecher's Flagship, Willapa Hills Two-Faced Blue, Mt. Townsend Cirrus, Kurtwood Farms Dinah.
• Continental cheese plate: Manchego, Fontina D’Aosta, Bleu D’Auvergne, Kerrygold Aged Irish Cheddar.
• Dessert cheese plate: Fromage D’affinois, Lemon Stilton, Aged Gouda, Cranberry Wensleydale.

Serving Tips

• Separate strong-smelling cheeses. If you want to serve a pungent cheese, place it on a separate plate so it doesn’t overpower more delicate options.
• Remove the cheese from the refrigerator an hour before serving — cold mutes flavor.
• Label each cheese so you won’t need to recite the names all evening. Jot down a few adjectives to describe the flavor of each.
• Don't crowd the cheese. Be sure to have a platter or wooden board large enough to hold the cheeses without crowding them. Arrange the cheeses with the cut sides facing out and with several small cheese knives.
• Set out a separate knife for each cheese. Soft cheese spreads well with a butter knife; firm cheese might require a paring knife; and aged cheese often requires a cheese plane.

Accompaniments

• Offer a selection of breads, including sliced baguette, bread sticks, and crackers in all different shapes and sizes. It’s a good idea to vary taste and texture among the breads as well as the cheeses.
• Things to nibble. Jarred condiments and vegetables are quick and fuss-free. Try sweet preserves or honey, tart chutneys, and spicy mustards. You also can add artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers. If you have a bit more time, prepare caramelized onions, which complement most cheese plates. Various other sweet and salty items can work as well. Try cured meats such as prosciutto and salami, or candied nuts. Assorted seasonal and dried fruits can include figs, cherries, apples, and pears.
• Remember the wine. A rule of thumb: Cheese is partnered best with wine made near the cheese's origin. Serve Spanish cheese with Spanish wine, for example. If in doubt, ask for a recommendation from PCC staff.

Favorite Pairings

Put together a cheese board that’ll take you and your guests on a culinary adventure.

Here are our favorite pairings for a fun gathering.

Blue cheese paired with marinated beets

Try: Point Reyes Original Blue, Fourme D’ambert or any blends from local Willapa Hills

Rich, earthy beets have the flavor to stand up to strong blue cheeses and will draw out the flavor complexity rather than sharp flavors.

Soft chèvre paired with mixed olives

Try: Tieton Farms (local), Laura Chenel (domestic) or Cana de Cabra (imported)

A distinct yet subtle soft, mild cheese shines when mixed with stronger and saltier flavors.

Cheddar paired with organic Honeycrisp apples

Try: Beecher’s Flagship Cheddar, Organic Valley Sharp Vermont Cheddar or English Cotswold

This classic combination is a great matchup of taste and texture and should please the whole family, young and old.

Dry, aged cheese paired with Marcona almonds

Try: Rembrandt Gouda, Red Leicester or Parmesan Reggiano

The cheese offers delicious caramel overtones when married with these almonds, providing a sweet addition to your cheese board.

Watch PCC Deli Merchandiser Leon Bloom demonstrate how to put together a delicious cheese board.