How many types of cheese should you put on your board?

There is a cheese board for every occasion. For a simple meal, three types of cheese are enough to satisfy every palate. For a more sophisticated meal, create a more substantial board and choose seven to nine cheeses from different families. Of course, the more guests there are at your table, the more varied your cheese selection can be!

3 golden rules for building your cheese board

Although there are no hard and fast rules about what to include on a cheese board, a few simple tips will help keep your guests satisfied. Follow the three rules below:

Rule No. 1: Vary the types of cheese

To each their own. The same goes for cheese! With this in mind, consider offering several varieties of cheese on your board. In the land of a thousand cheeses, you’re already spoiled for choice! Aim for a well-balanced cheese board ranging from mild to full-flavored and strong cheeses, and include cheeses made using cow, goat and sheep milk.

Rule No. 2: Estimating how much cheese to serve

Planning the right amount of cheese for your guests is no easy task. You’ll need to adjust the size of the cheese board according to its use: as an appetiser, at the end of a meal, or for a wine and cheese party with friends:

• On an appetiser cheese board, you should allow about 70 g per person.
• A cheese board to finish a meal should have between 60-80 g per person.
• For an all-cheese meal, allow 250 g per person.

If you have a platter of cold meats and cheeses, then allow 150-200 g of cheese per person.

Rule No. 3: decorating your cheese board

Since cheese is a locally sourced and traditional product, why not run with this idea when decorating your cheese platter? You could try serving your cheeses on a wooden board or a slate, with some straw and vine leaves for decoration.

Although cheese is primarily a matter of taste and smell, the culinary arts teach us that pleasing the eyes is just as important. So why not add a garnish or two and some accompaniments to your cheese board for a more colourful platter that enhances the taste of your cheeses? 

• Fresh fruit: plums, grapes, etc.,
• Nuts: dates, walnuts, almonds, etc.,
• Bread: multigrain bread, fig bread, etc.,
• Fresh herbs (chives, chervil, etc.),
• Small jars of jam, honey, etc.

3 amazing cheese boards:

From the simplest to the most sophisticated meals, you can create a cheese board to suit any occasion. Still looking for inspiration? Soignon presents three sample cheese boards your guests will love!

The "classic" cheese board

According to famous gourmet Brillat-Savarin: “A meal without cheese is a like a beautiful woman who is missing an eye”. So, even your everyday meals deserve a quality cheese selection:

• A Soignon Camembert Style
• Comté
• A ripened goat log

The "ceremonial" cheese board

Big occasions call for a big spread! Whether for a wedding, or a birthday ... a significant event deserves an exceptional cheese board:

• Cantal or Salers
• A Creamy ripened log
• Tomme de Brebis
• A Soignon Camembert Style
• Roquefort
• Brie de Meaux
• Reblochon

The "totally" goat cheese board

Goat cheeses offer a wide variety of tastes, textures and flavors. So, it’s entirely possible to present your guests with a cheese board featuring only goat cheeses:

• A Soignon Creamy ripened log
• Chabichou du Poitou PDO
• A Soignon unripened goat log ash
• A Soignon Mi-chèvre

Whatever the occasion, always choose the right wine to go with your cheese board. And our last tip: remember to take the cheeses out of the refrigerator an hour before serving to fully appreciate their flavor.

Bon appétit!