Creating the ultimate summer cheeseboard
There’s something rather special about a summer cheeseboard. Lazy lunches in the garden, long evenings with friends, a bottle of something cold and plenty of good things to nibble on.
And while creating a great cheeseboard is certainly an art, summer is all about keeping things relaxed. Think creamy cheeses, ripe seasonal fruit, crunchy crackers and fresh bread. Pile it high on a board in the centre of the table and let everyone dig in!
We’ve put together some of our favourite tips for creating a summer cheeseboard that’s easy, generous and full of flavour.
Our summer cheeseboard essentials
First thing’s first…
Don’t forget to take your cheese out of the fridge before serving. Give it at least an hour to come up to room temperature to allow the flavours and textures to really shine.
There’s a world of difference between a cold cheese straight from the fridge and one that’s had time to soften and come to life. Your cheese will thank you for it!
Make Yorkshire Blue the star of the show
Creamy, mild and full of delicious character, Yorkshire Blue makes a brilliant centrepiece for a summer cheeseboard.
For something a little different, why not try our Organic Yorkshire Blue? This cheese has had an incredible year picking up some impressive awards including Supreme Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show earlier this summer, so now would be a great time to try it. The grassy, herbaceous notes work beautifully alongside fruity summer pairings.
Add a little colour
Summer is the perfect time to bring plenty of seasonal colour and freshness to your board.
Creamy, rich and buttery with a delicate peppery finish, Harrogate Blue makes a lovely contrast in flavour, texture and colour to Yorkshire Blue on a sharing platter.
Don't be afraid to keep things simple. A really great cheese, some fresh fruit for colour and a drizzle of local honey can be all you need.
Think about variety
As a rule of thumb, we like to include at least four different styles of cheese. A soft cheese, something hard, a blue and a wildcard!
You can also explore cheeses made with different milks for added variety and flavour. Cow’s, organic cow’s, ewe’s and buffalo milk each bring their own character, adding interest to the board and giving everyone the chance to try something a little different.
Prepare to pair
Summer is all about fresh, simple pairings.
Instead of reaching straight for the chutney, think about what’s in season. Fresh strawberries, figs (the season for beautiful fresh figs is short, so make the most of it now!) slices of crisp pear, local honey and crunchy honeycomb all work beautifully with cheese.
A handful of walnuts is also a great addition for adding some crunch, and, of course, there’s nothing wrong with letting the cheese do the talking. A good loaf of crusty bread, a few crackers and a glass of something chilled in the garden is simple and so delicious.
Our favourite summer pairings
Harrogate Blue x Yorkshire honey
A wonderfully simple Yorkshire pairing. The sweetness of the honey brings out the creamy, savoury character of the blue.
Mrs Bell's Blue x fresh figs
The gentle sweetness of fresh figs is a lovely contrast to the rich, creamy ewe’s milk blue.
Buffalo Blue x crunchy honeycomb
One of our favourites. The crisp sweetness of honeycomb (like a Crunchie bar!) works beautifully with the rich, creamy savouriness of Buffalo Blue.
Yorkshire Blue x British strawberries
A surprisingly delicious summer combination. Sweet, juicy strawberries bring a lovely freshness to the rich, savoury notes in the blue.
Bluemin White x fresh herbs and honey
Soft, creamy and delicate, Bluemin White is delicious with a drizzle of honey and a scattering of fresh herbs before baking in the oven until gooey. Dive in with crackers and crusty bread.
And don’t forget the leftovers
If there happens to be any cheese left at the end of the evening, there are plenty of delicious ways to use it up.
Our creamy blues are wonderful stirred through pasta, crumbled over salads, melted into sauces or simply gently melted onto warm toast.
Yorkshire Blue and Harrogate Blue are particularly good stirred into a quick pasta sauce for an added kick of flavour, while Mrs Bell’s Blue adds a lovely creamy richness to summer salads.
Discover more about our artisan cheeses here along with more pairing ideas and summer recipe inspiration.