5 Tips To Throwing A Cheese Tasting Party

If you want to host a party but are looking for something a bit classier, a cheese tasting party is one of the best options. There are plenty of cheeses available to choose from so it is only a matter of selecting the right ones and doing all the other elements of planning to make it a success. It can be a bit daunting at first, especially if you don’t know how to pick your cheeses (or drinks) so here are some tips to help you plan your cheese tasting party.

Set Up

One of the most important things to consider (other than the cheeses) is how you will set up your cheese tasting party. If you have the room, a great idea is to place a long table and divide it into different sections based on cheeses. Another option is to set up several smaller areas throughout the room, each with a different type of cheese as well as a label.

Information

One thing that many people don’t consider when throwing a cheese tasting party is labeling the cheese. In many cases, they will simply put out the cheeses and expect their guests to know what they are as well as their history. A better idea, and one that your guests will greatly appreciate, is to clearly label each cheese. If you have the time, it is also a great idea to add a sentence or two to the label describing where the cheese comes from and its history.

Compare Varieties

A great idea when selecting the cheeses for your party is to select different varieties of the same cheese. An example would be to get some fresh mozzarella in the two main varieties: that made from water buffalo’s milk and that made from cow’s milk. You could do something similar with cheddar, serving different levels of sharpness, different colors or specific artisan cheeses.

Go Unusual

Part of the goal of cheese tasting party is to introduce your guests to cheeses they have not had before. This means that if you live somewhere where cheese curds are not very common, this is a great opportunity to introduce them to your friends. Once again, choose some varieties such as plain cheddar cheese curds and cheddar ones with bacon and chives. This is also the chance for you to get unusual varieties of more common cheeses. A good idea would be a hand crafted and well-aged cheddar.

Other Items

When you are having a cheese tasting party, you don’t want to just serve the cheese. You should be sure to have a variety of small breads and crackers as well. You also need to pay close attention to the drinks. Wine is a classic option but be sure to pair your wines and cheeses correctly. Ideally, you could even write the ideal wine on each cheese’s label. To find the right wines, do your research by looking online or asking a cheese expert. In many cases when you buy your cheese online from a quality website, they will give you suggestions of wine pairings.