From Fruit to Nuts: 10 Foods That Elevate Your Cheese Board

A cheese board doesn't have to be just about cheese. There's a whole world of delicious accompaniments that not only enhance the flavour of cheese but also add a visual appeal to your cheese platter. 

Read on for our top ten foods that will elevate your cheeseboard into something special.

Crusty French Bread

Embrace carbohydrates and accept that a crusty French baguette is simply the perfect foil for soft cheeses like Camembert. 

The chewiness of the bread and the crunch of the crust perfectly complement the luscious smoothness of the cheese without overwhelming its flavour. 

If you can buy your French stick when it is fresh, that delicious, sweet and yeasty smell adds to the sensory experience.

Crackers or oatcakes

Crackers and oatcakes are perfect vehicles for all types of cheese. 

Posh crackers are now popular, but we still enjoy the humble Scottish-style oatcake. Its essential blandness and rough texture are a perfect showcase for all types of cheese from a buttery artisan Brie to a pungent Stilton. 

Fish

A twist of pink translucent smoked salmon will add an extra savoury kick to your cheeseboard, while the silvery loveliness of salty anchovies is always a treat for the eyes and taste buds. 

Nuts

Nuts - salted or unsalted? That is the question. We believe a selection of both salted and unsalted options is necessary, as the different flavour profiles complement different cheeses. 

Earthy walnuts are a perfect match for the complex flavours of an extra mature Cheddar. Walnuts also complement dry, salty Parmesan, especially when drizzled with honey in a sweet-savoury combination.

Try offering sweet buttery salted Marcona almonds with Manchego cheese for a Spanish taste sensation.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is practically a health food now, thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, so your guests will thank you for giving their heart health a boost. 

They may be even more grateful when they enjoy the experience of a square of dark chocolate melting into a luscious medley with a full-flavoured blue cheese on the tongue.

Preserves

No cheeseboard is complete without some bracing pickled onions or a selection of chutneys. 

Like crackers, preserves and chutneys are now gourmet items created with fantastic ingredients from across the globe. We love spice and tropical fruit combinations, but a crunchy, vinegary Farmhouse pickle hits the spot just as well.

Fruit 

The fresh acidity of apples and grapes is an excellent palate cleanser after the velvety creaminess of Berries or the full flavour of a mature cheddar. Fresh and dried fruit can be used to bring decorative colour to your cheeseboard.

Charcuterie

Committed carnivores at your feast will appreciate some prosciutto, chorizo, or Parma ham on the cheeseboard. 

We value charcuterie on a cheeseboard for the fabulous savoury flavours that complement cheese so well, but also for the opportunity to create an attractive fan shape with the thin slices of meat. 

Crudites 

Sticks of carrot, celery, sweet pepper, and cucumber may seem a bit 1970s, but their fresh crunchiness complements rich cheese and mild, soft cheese alike. You could serve crudites as side dishes or use them as decorative touches on the cheeseboard.

Stylish individuals may prefer to curate their cheeseboard with a carefully selected assortment of the above. We are maximalists at heart and like to have a little or, rather, a lot of everything to keep everyone happy. 

You do you, but if you are anything like us, you may need a bigger cheeseboard!

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