How to Properly Serve Cheese

The date is set, the guests are invited and you have decided to serve a cheese platter for when they arrive. But from gouda to goat, cheddar to swiss, you have no clue on how to properly serve cheese at your dinner party. Hopefully these tips will make serving cheese a little easier!

Instructions

1. Compliment your cuisine. Before you can choose cheese to properly compliment your dinner party, you should really decide on the menu or pairings for the rest of the evening first.

2. Go to your local cheese store. There are literally thousands of cheeses from all parts of the world. And just because they're from overseas does not necessarily mean they're expensive. Take the time to travel to your local cheese shop and speak with the staff. Tell them the food and wine you plan to serve and let them make some recommendations and free samples.

3. Select a variety. Cheese is like wine in that people usually have specific tastes when it comes to what they like and don't like. Be sure to offer an array of soft and hard as well as mild and sharp cheeses so that all of the guests at the dinner party will be pleased.

4. Pick quality. The inside of the cheese should be free from cracks or discoloration of any kind. Also, if you happen to buy a natural rind cheese, make sure it has a rustic appearance. Please note, that when it comes to Roquefort and Blue style cheeses, it is normal for them to have some mold or cracks.

5. Provide accents. A variety of crackers and fruit such as grapes, strawberries or apples, can really help enhance the flavor of the cheese while making the overall platter seem lusciously decadent.

6. Serve on wood or stone. Let the cheese be the star of the platter. A simple wood cutting board or stone cheese slab is ideal to serve the cheese at your dinner party. Also please note that most cheese should be served at room temperature.

7. Impart wisdom. As your guests to enjoy the cheese platter you've assembled for your dinner party, be able to answer any questions they may have or tell them what region the cheese comes from. It's a conversation starter and a great way to break the ice.

Tips & Warnings

• Until serving, cheese should be stored in the package in which you purchased it from the store.

• Separate pungent cheeses. If you buy a cheese that is wonderfully aromatic, separate it from the rest of the cheeses by serving it on a separate plate. Otherwise the wonderful taste of your other cheeses may be overwhelmed from the strong aroma.

• Keep an eye on your cheese. After thirty to forty-five minutes and especially under hot temperatures, cheese can begin to soften or melt. If this begins to occur, the cheese may need to be placed in the fridge once again.

• Keep some reserves. If you are concerned about the cheese softening or melting, only put out small chunks, explaining to your guests there is plenty more in the fridge and for them to please help themselves!