Here are some general guidelines to building a cheese board:

  • Choose 3-5 different cheeses 
  • Showcase at least 3 of the 4 main milk types (Cow, Goat, Sheep, Water Buffalo)
  • Select different styles and textures 
  • Include enough pairings to offer guests each of the following tastes:
    • Salt (Corn nuts, almonds)
    • Sweet (Jam, honey, Milk Chocolate, dried fruit)
    • Bitter (Dark chocolate)
    • Sour (Pickled foods)
    • Umami (Mushroom, salami)
  • Plating style option #1: give everything space on a large board.  Create lots of negative space.
  • Plating style option #2: Color block so that reds are near reds, whites are near whites, oranges are near orange)
  • Plating style option #3: Abstract - put things all over the board and pile things on top.


Overall, we recommend having fun with the plating.  Be sure to put things you like to eat and enjoy and in the end you'll build a perfect board.