A Cheese Tasting Party Guide
Tasting cheese is all about variety, so set up platters (with labels) to allow your taste-testing guests to enjoy a wide range of flavors.
Bring most cheeses to room temperature before serving. This allows flavors to fully develop.
Here are some other tips to guide your cheese-tasting party:
*Semi-soft cheeses with a rind (such as fontina) can be served with the rind at the table. This shows how it would be featured in a store.
*Hard cheeses with a rind (such as parmesan) should have the rind removed before serving.
*Soft cheeses (such as goat cheese) can be cut using a string of unflavored dental floss. This helps prevent squishing and crumbling.
*Coat a cheese grater with cooking spray to prevent cheese from sticking.
*Place soft cheeses such as fontina or Monterrey Jack in the freezer for 20 minutes before shredding.
*Use a vegetable peeler to shave hard cheeses.
*Choose three to five varieties to allow plenty of choices.
*Provide a separate knife for each cheese so the flavors do not blend.
*A bland cracker or piece of bread between samplings helps clear the palate.
Published 04/14/10
