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What Are the Different Types of Cheese Platter Ideas?

G. Wiesen
G. Wiesen

Different cheese platter ideas are typically designed around a particular theme or by pairing various types of cheeses with other foods. One of the most common and simple ideas is a cheese platter that features an assortment of cheeses from different regions, providing an edible tour of various locales through cheese selection. Rather than using geography as a guide, however, some cheese platters can be assembled based purely around the cheeses selected, providing a range of hard and soft as well as pungent and mild options. There are also cheese platter ideas that can be built around pairing cheeses with other foods or drinks such as fruit, meats, and wine.

The central focus of cheese platter ideas is cheese, and usually several different varieties are featured. One of the simplest ways in which this type of platter can be assembled is through the use of geography as a guide to cheese choice. Someone can consider cheese platter ideas guided by a particular country, especially for a large country like the US or a country that produces a number of different cheeses. Different regions of the world, however, can also provide cheese ideas and so a single platter might feature one cheese from France, another from England, and a third from Italy.

A thick wedge of fontina cheese.
A thick wedge of fontina cheese.

Foregoing the use of geographic regions as a guide, other cheese platter ideas can instead focus on the different types of cheeses and how they compliment or contrast to each other. This type of platter might feature several soft cheeses, including some spreadable cheeses and semi-soft cheese, as well as firmer selections and even a hard cheese. The wide range of textures found in different cheeses can lead to a variety of cheese platter ideas in which the cheeses are the sole focus. Different flavors and aromas should also be considered, so that the process of eating the cheeses on the platter becomes a unique and varied dining experience.

Goat cheese is often included on cheese platters.
Goat cheese is often included on cheese platters.

Cheese platter ideas can also focus on the cheeses as a compliment to other foods or beverages. Many types of fruit, for example, can serve as wonderful accompaniment to different cheeses, including grapes, apple slices, and fresh berries. Selections of meat slices can also provide contrast and enhance the flavors of different cheeses, such as smoked salmon, prosciutto, and salami. Cheese platter ideas that are meant to appeal to adults, rather than all ages, can include the use of alcoholic beverages to compliment the selection of cheeses provided, including different types of wine and even certain beers.

Discussion Comments

lluviaporos

@pleonasm - One of the nicest cheeses I ever had was a goat cheese at a friend's house and they explained that they bought it from a neighbor who deliberately changed her goats' diet in order to bring out different flavors in the milk and the cheese. Nothing drastic, of course. The goats would eat healthy meals, but she might add molasses in the winter or certain herbs when they were in season and it seemed to make a small difference.

pleonasm

@croydon - My mother starts feeling nauseated if anyone even mentions blue cheese, so I'd definitely keep it as a separate item.

On the other hand, people who do like it tend to adore it so you don't want to leave it out altogether.

If you really want to impress people I would learn a little bit about all the cheeses as well, the same way you might about wines. Cheeses will often have a background depending on what kind they are and who made them and it's often quite interesting to the kind of people who care about a diverse cheese platter.

I've even seen arrangements with little flags in each cheese advertising the type, but that might be a little bit too much for most parties.

croydon

I love cheese so much, it's always a pleasure to be able to browse a good cheese platter. I think it's really important to make sure the crackers are varied but generally fairly plain, so that you can taste the different cheeses without having to overcome flavored crackers.

You might also want to have a separate platter for the stronger cheeses, like blue cheese in particular, because I know a lot of people who won't touch the stuff and wouldn't be happy even having it around food they do intend to consume.

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    • A thick wedge of fontina cheese.
      By: Lsantilli
      A thick wedge of fontina cheese.
    • Goat cheese is often included on cheese platters.
      Goat cheese is often included on cheese platters.
    • Havarti cheese on bread served as part of a cheese platter.
      Havarti cheese on bread served as part of a cheese platter.
    • Bocconcini, small balls of fresh mozzarella, can be a good addition to a cheese platter.
      By: Viktor
      Bocconcini, small balls of fresh mozzarella, can be a good addition to a cheese platter.
    • Salami and other meats can be served with a cheese platter.
      By: Mara Zemgaliete
      Salami and other meats can be served with a cheese platter.
    • Cheese platters may incorporate a variety of hard cheeses.
      By: Studio Barcelona
      Cheese platters may incorporate a variety of hard cheeses.
    • Smoked salmon can enhance the flavor of certain cheeses.
      By: PhotoEd
      Smoked salmon can enhance the flavor of certain cheeses.
    • Wine is a great compliment to any cheese platter.
      By: Felix Mizioznikov
      Wine is a great compliment to any cheese platter.