The cheese board, or cheese platter, is a festive staple in many households across the UK. Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a Christmas dinner party or a celebration like a birthday or anniversary, a thoughtfully crafted cheese board is a trusted crowd-pleaser.
When it comes to creating a show-stopping cheeseboard, there’s nothing better than gathering a selection of locally made delights from Cumbria’s reputable producers. From award-winning meats and cheeses to delicious jams and relishes, the county of Cumbria is brimming with talented food and drink producers. Building a Christmas Cumbrian cheese board with all local produce is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season while supporting local businesses.
Whether your seeking cheese board ideas or wondering what to put on a cheeseboard, this guide will help you create a wonderfully cheesy centrepiece using mostly Cumbrian produce that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Building the ultimate cheeseboard starts with the careful selection of cheeses. They’re star of the show, after all!
For the best cheeses for a cheese board, we recommend heading to a local deli, farmers market or farm shop with a good cheese counter, or maybe even to your local small, speciality cheese shop. With its abundance of dairy farms, Cumbria is certainly not short of fantastic dairy producers and cheesemongers. Our blog on the best cheese producers in Cumbria details where you can buy delicious local cheese.
If you don’t already know, a cheesemonger is someone who works behind the cheese counter, or in a specialty cheese shop and their job is to care for the cheeses themselves. A cheesemonger can be very helpful when it comes to picking out the best cheese selection for a cheese board. A good cheesemonger will want you to taste the cheese to be sure that your happy with the taste.
It’s a good idea to choose a variety of textures and flavours to create a well-rounded cheese tasting experience. For instance, creamy brie, sharp cheddar and tangy blue cheese are all popular choices. Additionally, considering whether the cheese is made from cow’s milk or goat’s milk adds another level of complexity to the flavour profile. We recommend choosing between 3-5 different cheeses.
Ultimately, the right selection of cheeses not only elevates the presentation of the cheese board, but also ensures that every guest will find something they enjoy.
Next up are meats for a cheese platter. This step is of course optional.
Technically a cheeseboard with a selection of meats is called a charcuterie board. Charcuterie literally means cold, cooked meats and a charcuterie board is a platter of assorted foods that includes cured meats, cheeses and other accompaniments. But we’re not fussy here. Cheeseboard, cheese platter, meat and cheese platter or charcuterie board – call it what you will!
A mix of cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami and chorizo, can add a variety of textures and tastes to your cheeseboard. You can buy all of these from your local deli or farm shop. Prosciutto offers a delicate salty flavour, while salami adds a robust spiced note and chorizo brings a smoky kick. By arranging these meats artfully, you can make the board look very visually appealing. There are all sorts of designs you can try out.
We recommend opting for 2-4 charcuterie meats for a cheese platter.
When it comes to choosing crackers for a cheeseboard, it’s all about finding the perfect balance of flavours and textures. Choose a variety of crackers such as water crackers, whole wheat crackers and maybe even some flavoured options like rosemary or sea salt crackers. The key is to have a selection of crackers that complement the cheeses and meats without overpowering them. Don’t forget to consider gluten-free or other dietary options to accommodate all your guests’ preferences.
We recommend opting for 2-4 types of crackers for a cheese board.
A well-chosen chutney will elevate your cheeseboard, making it even more enjoyable for everyone.
When selecting chutney for cheeseboards, it’s important to choose varieties that enhance the flavour of the cheeses and meats. A sweet and tangy chutney, like apple or mango chutney can provide a delightful contrast to sharp cheeses, while a spiced chutney, such as caramelised onion chutney can complement the richness of cured meats. Serving chutney in small bowls on the board allows guests to easily add a bit to their plate and try a bit of everything.
As you might expect in a county famous for top-quality food and drink, Cumbrian food producers offer an extensive range of uniquely flavoured condiments, sauces, chutneys, pickles and relishes. Cumbrian chutneys, sauces, pickles and relishes are excellent paired with local cheese and meats, making them the perfect addition to any Cumbrian cheeseboard. This is a great way to try a variety of Cumbria’s finest condiment products whilst supporting Cumbria’s food heritage.
Check out some of the award-winning condiment makers in Cumbria right here on the Made In Cumbria site.
Add fruit, veggies or nuts to your cheese and meat platter for a burst of colour and flavour.
Incorporating extras like olives, nuts and fruit into your cheeseboard adds a delightful variety of flavours and textures that can enhance the overall experience. Olives, although not to everyone’s taste, bring a briny, savoury element that pairs well with cheeses, while nuts such as almonds or walnuts add a satisfying crunch and richness. Fresh or dried fruits like grapes, figs or apricots, provide a sweet contrast that balances the savoury components.
Arranging these items in small clusters around the cheeses, meats, crackers and chutneys not only makes the board visually appealing but also invites guests to mix and match flavours. Ultimately, these little extras create a more dynamic tasting experience, encouraging exploration and enjoyment of different flavour combinations. We encourage you add your favourite fruit, veggies or nuts and experiment with all sorts of weird and wacky flavour combinations.
We’re not done yet!
Finally, you might like to accompany your festive Cumbrian cheese board with a tipple. Even better, opt for alcohol products distilled and brewed right here in Cumbria. The region of Cumbria and the Lake District are home to an impressive number of award-winning independent distilleries, breweries and microbreweries.
When choosing drinks to accompany your cheese board, its essential to consider options that complement the flavours of the cheeses and meats. Wine is a classic choice. For example, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with soft cheeses, while a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon complements bold, aged cheeses. If you’re hosting a festive dinner party or celebrating a special occasion, it might be a good idea to make a round of cocktails for your guests using spirits from one of the many fantastic beer, wine and spirit brands in Cumbria.
If you’re looking for non-alcoholic options, a crisp sparkling apple juice, elderflower presse or ginger beer are all excellent pairings. Made In Cumbria also showcases a collection of Cumbrian juice and cordial makers that will add a special touch to your cheese board evening.
Made In Cumbria brings you the best and tastiest of the region’s food and drink, locally sourced and lovingly produced. By choosing Cumbrian food and drink products you are not only buying fabulous gifts and sumptuous delicacies, but you are also supporting Cumbria’s creative heritage. So, if you’re looking for what to put on a cheese board this festive season, think local and head over to our showcase of talented Cumbrian food and drink producers.
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
3rd Floor
Broadacre House
16-20 Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DA
0845 226 00 40
©Cumbria Chamber of Commerce 2023 | By: We Are Digital
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