Tip of the Day - Creating the Perfect Cheese Plate

by Sarah LeTrent, Posted Oct 23rd 2009 @ 9:00AM

Do you find the idea of selecting cheese for a dinner party daunting? Here's a quick guide to arranging a cheese course.

Photo: stu_spivak, Flickr.

The classic cheese course should include at least three cheeses, with each selection made from a different type of milk (cow, goat or sheep's) or a different family of cheese.

The families of cheese include: fresh cheese (i.e. mozzarella), soft cheese with surface mold (i.e. Brie); soft cheese with a washed rind (i.e. a "stinky" variety like Limburger); soft cheese with a natural rind (i.e. chèvre); blue-veined cheese (i.e. Gorgonzola); pressed uncooked cheese (i.e. Manchego) and pressed cooked cheese (i.e. Parmigiano-Reggiano).

Once selected, place the cheeses in the order in which they should be tasted, from the mildest to the strongest. If you're using a circular plate, start at the top and arrange them clockwise.

Filed Under: Tip of the Day
Tags: brie, cheese, cheese course, cheese tasting, cheese tasting tips, cheese types, CheeseCourse, CheeseTasting, CheeseTastingTips, CheeseTypes, gorgonzola, limburger, manchego, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, ParmigianoReggiano