Pairing Fruit with Cheese:
To enhance your cheeseboard, place fruits next to the cheeses they pair well with. The secret to delicious fruit is selecting what’s in season.
- Apples – Complement most cheeses, especially cheddar, mozzarella, brie, triple cream cheese (Saint Andre or De Bourgogne), and manchego.
- Grapes – Pair wonderfully with mozzarella and hard cheeses. Avoid placing them with creamy or soft cheeses.
- Strawberries and blueberries – Ideal companions for creamy, soft cheeses like goat cheese.
Prepare in Advance:
You can assemble the cheese platter earlier in the day, cover it, and refrigerate. It’s recommended to serve cheese and cured meats at room temperature, so be sure to remove the cheeseboard from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Cheeses – Arrange them across the board. Pre-slice hard cheeses to make serving easier and cut a few wedges from the brie to encourage guests to indulge.
- Meats – Fold them in various patterns. Watch our video for a visual guide on folding meat for a charcuterie board.
- Pickled Items – Place items that require a dish, such as pickles and olives, next to the cheese to help you manage your space.
- Condiments and Spreads – Position condiments near cheeses they complement (e.g., honey next to brie). Store condiments in separate jars and ramekins for a neat presentation.
- Fresh Fruit – Pre-cut grapes, pre-slice apples, rinse, and pat dry berries. Arrange fruit next to cheeses they pair well with.
- Nuts and Extras – Position pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and chocolate squares next to brie or soft cheeses to create a delightful contrast in textures.
- Arrange crackers and toasts in remaining spaces or place them on a separate shallow bowl for serving.
