New Year's Eve is almost here, and cheese lovers everywhere are planning their cheese and charcuterie party platters to usher in another year of food, fun, and friendship. Here are some cheesemonger-approved tips for creating an impressive and unique platter that will wow your guests.
When creating your platter, it's important to choose a variety of cheese styles, textures, and milk types to accommodate all palates and preferences. Triple cream cheeses like Delice de Bourgogne or Brillat-Savarin are a classic NYE pairing with bubbles like Champagne and Prosecco, because the effervescence of the wine cuts through the high butterfat content of the cheese and lifts the flavor on the palate. Alpine cheeses like Gruyere and Beaufort are iconic seasonal cheeses with complex onion and floral flavors that will transport you to the Swiss mountaintops where the cows graze on lush alpine pastures to create the rich, flavorful milk for these cheeses. Aged chèvre is always a hit, and don't forget the farmhouse Manchego or crystalline goat Gouda!
Use Formaticum Mini Cheese Knives to cut each cheese into bite-sized pieces to make it easy for guests to enjoy, using our Cut Guide video as a reference. Don't forget to use all edible elements, including garnish, and include things like candied nuts, dried fruits, sliced charcuterie, and local honey. When choosing pairings, consider the "what grows together goes together" rule. Products that come from the same country or region will likely be a great pairing.
It's also important to follow cheese platter etiquette to make sure everyone can enjoy the spread! If you don't like the Brie rind, we recommend cut a complete piece of Brie off the platter and separate the rind on your own plate, instead of scooping the paste out of the rind on the platter.
And don't forget to store leftover cheese in Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags to keep it fresh until it's time to make your next platter!
Most importantly, have fun and get creative. Cheers to a delicious and festive New Year's Eve!