Slice, Dice, & Everything Nice: An Idea Guide to Cutting Cheese for Your Next Charcuterie Board

Displaying cheese on a blank charcuterie board from scratch can always be a daunting task - With so many cheese types, where does one even start? No need to worry, I've got you covered!

The way cheese is cut can really elevate the aesthetics and flavour of the board. Within this post, I'll be sharing various techniques for cutting and presenting cheese to create a stunning and delicious charcuterie board.

1. The Classic Wedge: This is the most traditional and straightforward way to serve cheese. Cut a wheel or block of cheese into triangular wedges. This works well for semi-soft and semi-hard cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Cheddar.

2. Slices: For harder cheeses like Gouda, Parmesan, and Manchego (My Fave), slice them thinly or thicker depending on your preference. Use a cheese slicer or a sharp knife to create uniform slices. Watch your hands!

3. Cube It Up: Cutting cheese into small, bite-sized cubes is ideal for firm cheeses like Cheddar, Swiss, or Mozzarella. Arrange them neatly on your board for easy picking.

4. Roll Em': Some soft cheeses like goat cheese or cream cheese can be shaped into small logs or rolled in herbs, nuts, or spices. Serve them with toothpicks or small knives for spreading.

5. Triangulars: For cheeses with a strong flavour profile like Blue cheese or Roquefort, cutting them into small triangles or pie-shaped wedges allows for easy tasting.

6. Shavings: Use a cheese plane or a vegetable peeler to create delicate cheese shavings from hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano. These can be piled high for an elegant presentation.

7. A Rind We Go: Leave the rind on certain cheeses like Brie or Camembert for added texture and flavor. Simply cut the cheese wheel into wedges, ensuring each wedge has a portion of the rind.

8. Fan It Out: Create a visually appealing fan-like arrangement with slices or wedges of cheese radiating out from a central point on the board.

9. Layer's Up: Alternate layers of different cheeses, crackers, and fruits to create visually appealing stacks or towers. This adds dimension and interest to your charcuterie board.

10. Customize It: Get fancy and creative and use cookie cutters to cut cheese into fun shapes like hearts, stars, or your favourite holiday cut out!

11. Get Saucy: Pair certain cheeses with complimentary sauces like honey, fig or jam. Place these in small bowls or ramekins on your board for dipping or drizzling.

12. Garnish & More Garnish: Sprinkle fresh herbs, edible flowers, or crushed nuts over the cheese to enhance both the flavour profile and presentation.

Label your cheeses, so your guests know what they're enjoying (Unless you're willing to answer a hundred questions!). Provide a variety of textures, flavours, and types of cheese on your charcuterie board to cater to different preferences & taste palates.

Additionally, consider including a mix of accompaniments like cured meats, fresh and dried fruits, olives, and artisanal crackers to complete the masterpiece. A well-thought-out charcuterie board can be a delightful centerpiece for any gathering.

-Off Cut & Co.