How Many Cheeses Should Be on a Cheese Board?

Cheese tradition suggests that a good cheese board should contain at least three contrasting cheeses: a hard cheese, a soft cheese and a blue cheese. This balance of textures and flavours offers a complete cheese board experience.

While three cheeses are a great starting point, you don’t need to stop there. Adding one or two extra varieties can elevate your cheese board into a true centrepiece, without overwhelming your guests’ palates.

Read on for expert tips on creating a stunning cheese board for entertaining.

The Perfect Cheese Board Selection

Visiting a supermarket cheese counter or specialist cheese shop can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to building a cheese board. To make things easier, we offer a handpicked cheeseboard bundle featuring perfectly balanced cheese selections.

Alternatively, understanding a few classic cheese styles will help you confidently build a beautiful and well-balanced cheese board at home.

Types of Cheese to Include on a Cheese Board

Hard Cheeses

Popular hard cheeses include Manchego, Gruyère, Parmigiano Reggiano and Gouda. A well-aged Cheddar remains a favourite choice and is always a crowd-pleaser on any cheese board.

Blue Cheeses

Stilton is often considered the classic blue cheese, but other excellent options include Gorgonzola, Roquefort and Saint Agur Blue. These cheeses add depth and bold flavour to your board.

Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses are perfect for spreading on crusty bread. Brie and Camembert are iconic French choices, while Chèvre, Neufchâtel and Greek Feta also deserve a place on a well-rounded cheese board.

For the best flavour, remove cheese from the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature.

How Much Cheese Should You Serve Per Person?

As a general guide, allow around 70 grams of cheese per person. This amount works well for cheese boards served before or alongside other dishes.

Cheese Board Accompaniments

A truly impressive cheese board includes carefully chosen accompaniments that enhance the flavour of the cheeses.

Essential items include crackers, breadsticks or crusty bread. You can also add fresh fruit such as apples or berries, along with dried fruits like apricots and figs for sweetness.

Popular extras include olives, fruit preserves, candied nuts, pickled peppers, caramelised onions, olive oil and honey for drizzling.

For parties and gatherings, consider pairing your cheese board with cured meats to create a complete charcuterie board.

How to Present a Cheese Board

Cheese boards should be as visually appealing as they are delicious. Use cheeses of different shapes and sizes, and choose a large board that allows each cheese to stand out.

Garnish with fruit, herbs or nuts for colour and texture. A well-presented cheese board makes an eye-catching centrepiece for any table.