Cheese
Temperature
The proper storage of cheese is a vital key of importance to the enjoyment of any type of cheese. Cheese should be stored in a cool part of the refrigerator 5-10 degrees wrapped tightly in parchment paper and secured or stored in an airtight container, cheese should also be placed if at all possible in the top half of the refrigerator there are a couple of good reasons for this which are with any cheese regardless of origin or cost you really don’t want to serve your cheese with the odors from the refrigerator to yourself or your guests, also you prevent the cheese from drying out a lot sooner.
Presentation
The ritual serving of cheese, place cheeses on a board in a manner
which would be acceptable to you and your guests by placing larger
pieces in the inner part of the board, start off by cutting some slices
of the cheeses & grouping them in a presentable manner for the
circular and soft cheeses cut in to thin slices & place on to the
board in a circular motion starting from the middle, for small goats
cheese cut into two.
Please note for all cheeses which appear to have a skin /rind
never remove it for the your guests- to any cheese connoisseur(s) it
would be offensive other than that it really helps to makes a
delectable cheese board.
Serving Plan
The ideal temperature that your cheese should be served at is room
temperature for the softer cheeses such as brie/ camembert the longer
the better.
When you do decide to offer a cheese board to your guests
dont feel you have to run out and purchase 8 different types of cheeses
unless that is all your going to offer.
Cheese should be chosen as if you are choosing an exotic
fruit which should complement rest of the meal, just ask
yourself whats the origin of the cheese ? is the cheese
unusual from a conventional type of cheese you may possibly wish to
offer a new younger type of cheese or perhaps even an older
classic how about a mix & match? at the end of the day you know
your guests & what the occasion is.
I would normally purcahse no more than four
different types: full veined cheese, a favorite brie/ camembert, a
soft herb & lastly a firm piece. I Usually estimate 3 - 4 oz
per person in total.
Place a platter of an assortment of “quality breads,” European
style breads do tend to have a more coarse texture and the taste is
absolutely splendid with cheese! try & include a sliced fruity
loaf, a nut loaf a substantial grainy /seedy loaf, water biscuits
& crackers these additional textures create interest and
a great pleaser and don’t feel awkward to put the butter out however
not too hard and cut in to small cubes by placing by the platters your
guests will thoroughly appreciate it!