8 Steps to the Perfect Cheese Tray

1. Choose three to five cheese types for an impressive display. Select different ages, flavours, textures and colours: for instance, try a soft goat cheese, with a medium cheddar, and sharp blue.
2. Remove soft, semi-firm, firm, and hard cheeses from fridge 30 minutes before serving.
3. Arrange cheese on a large platter, wooden board or tray. Avoid placing strong, pungent cheese next to mild cheese.
4. Cut firm cheese into bite-sized cubes, sticks, squares or triangles. Or using a sharp knife, pull off chunks.
5. Serve fresh and soft cheese as whole blocks or rounds. Pair with a knife so guests can help themsleves.
6. Garnish your tray with grape clusters, apples, pears, dried fruits, nuts or olives.
7. Serve with crackers of different shapes and textures, such as Sociables, Triscuit or Ritz. For a festive twist, try Holiday Sociables and Holiday Ritz.
8. Jazz up your cheese tray with a cheese appetizer, such as the Mini Cheese Balls.

Cheese Selection

Choose cheese that vary in flavour, texture and visual appeal.

Types of Cheese
Choosing cheese is easy. Most fall into these five basic categories.

Fresh
Characteristics: rindless; soft texture, often spreadable; mild taste; white in colour; often flavoured with herbs and other seasonings; melts quickly at low temperatures.
Try: Cottage Cheese, Cream Cheese

Soft
Characteristics: ripened; soft edible rind; smooth texture; mild to medium, creamy taste; yellow in colour; melts quickly at medium temperatures. Try: Brie, Camembert, Feta

Semi-soft
Characteristics: ripened or unripened; rindless; yellow or white in colour; mild to sharp taste; melts quickly at medium temperatures. Try: Mozzarella, Havarti, Blue

Firm
Characteristics: ripened and aged; rindless; salty, nutty taste; smooth or crumbly in texture, ivory to yellow colour; withstands higher temperatures; good for browning.
Try: Cheddar, Gouda, Emmental

Hard
Characteristics: ripened and aged; hard and dry rind; pale yellow colour; hard and granular in texture; withstands higher temperatures; good for browning.
Try: Parmesan, Asiago, Romano

Cheese Flavours
For variety, choose from each of these categories:

How Much Cheese?

The amount of cheese to serve depends on the type of function you are hosting. The recommended serving of cheese is 50g per person. If you are serving cheese for an appetizer party, supplement the cheese tray with a veggie tray.

More Great Cheese Tips