Cheese for the cheese board

The best hard cheeses for a perfect cheese board

A successful evening of drinks or a delicious dinner is best concluded with a perfectly curated cheese board. At GoudaCheeseShop.com, we specialize in the very best hard and semi-hard cheeses from the Netherlands and large parts of Europe. Whether you go for a robust, crumbly aged cheese, a characterful farmer's cheese, or an amazing Swiss mountain cheese; we have everything you need for the ultimate tasting experience.

Explore our wide assortment below. We cut your cheeses freshly from the wheel, vacuum-pack them, and ship them cooled!

Order hard cheese for your cheese board online

Do you want to create an unforgettable cheese board full of character? Order your cheeses easily online at GoudaCheeseShop.com. We offer an unparalleled selection of the most delicious hard and semi-hard cheeses.

✔ Wide assortment of premium hard cheeses from Holland and Europe
✔ For every taste: from creamy matured to extremely aged and spicy
✔ Always freshly cut from the wheel for you
✔ Standard vacuum-packed for optimal flavor retention
✔ Safely shipped and cooled straight to your doorstep

Complete your evening and compose your ideal cheese platter today.

How do you create the perfect cheese board with hard cheeses?

Creating a cheese board featuring hard cheeses is a craft in itself. Because you are working with firmer cheeses, it is all about building up intensity and contrasting flavors.

Always ensure a proper progression: taste from mild to spicy. Start, for example, with a soft, creamy young or matured Gouda. This provides an accessible flavor and prepares the palate for what is to come.

Next, add character with an authentic farmer's cheese (Boerenkaas) or a delicious herb cheese (for instance, with truffle or fenugreek). Then, take a trip across Europe with a distinct mountain cheese, such as a Swiss Appenzeller, a Gruyère, or a Spanish Manchego.

Finish your cheese board with the absolute flavor bombs: think of an extremely aged, crumbly cheese with crunchy salt crystals, or a vintage cheese that has ripened for years on wooden boards.

How much cheese do you need per person?

The ideal amount of cheese depends heavily on when you are serving the cheese board.

Are you serving the cheese board as a dessert to conclude an extensive dinner? In that case, calculate about 100 to 125 grams of cheese per person.

However, if the cheese board is the centerpiece of a long, cozy evening of drinks, you should calculate a bit more generously, around 200 to 250 grams of cheese per person.

The best accompaniments for your cheese

Hard cheeses truly shine with the right garnishes. Crusty baguette, rustic toast, or artisanal fig bread provide a beautiful foundation.

Then, pair the cheeses with sweet and savory counterparts. Think of a coarse mustard, a sweet fig or date chutney, fresh grapes, or a handful of unsalted nuts like walnuts or pecans. With an aged cheese, a drop of apple syrup or balsamic vinegar also works wonders!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cheese Board

Which hard cheeses fit well on a cheese board?

For a varied platter with hard and semi-hard cheeses, choose a mix of ages and origins. Consider a creamy matured cheese, a robust farmer's cheese, a special herb cheese, a European mountain cheese (like Gruyère or Manchego), and an aged, crumbly cheese to finish.

How much cheese should I calculate per person?

For an evening of drinks, calculate about 200 to 250 grams of cheese per person. Are you serving the cheese board as a dessert after a meal? Then 100 to 125 grams per person is more than enough.

In what order do you eat the cheeses from a cheese board?

Always taste the cheeses from mild to spicy. Start with the younger, creamier cheeses and build up slowly. End with the heavy, spicy cheeses like an extremely aged crumbly cheese. If you start with the spicy cheese, your palate will no longer be able to taste the subtle flavors of the mild cheeses afterwards.

How is my cheese for the cheese board shipped?

We always cut your cheeses freshly from the wheel. They are then immediately vacuum-packed and shipped cooled to you. This guarantees that your cheeses arrive in perfect condition, with their flavor optimally preserved.

How can I best store leftover hard cheese?

Wrap leftover pieces of cheese preferably in their original cheese paper or in parchment paper. Store them in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. Hard cheeses, when properly packaged, can be kept for weeks.