Best Cheese for Charcuterie

A perfect charcuterie board balances flavor, texture, and presentation. Choosing the right cheeses and pairing them with quality tools makes all the difference. swissmar’s range of stainless steel and wood-handled cheese knives and accessories ensures every cheese is sliced, spread, and served with elegance.

Top Cheeses for Your Charcuterie Board

To impress guests, aim for 4–6 cheeses spanning textures and milk types:

Soft

• Examples: Brie, Camembert, Triple-Cream
• Profile: Buttery, creamy, delicate
• Serve with: Grapes, figs, baguette

swissmar tools:

• Soft Cheese Knife - Stainless Steel for clean slicing
• Cheese Spreader - Stainless Steel Handle for spreads

Semi-Soft

• Examples: Havarti, Fontina, Young Gouda
• Profile: Smooth, mild, melt-in-mouth
• Serve with: Olives, pears, honey

swissmar tools:

• Semi-Soft Cheese Knife - Stainless Steel
• Moist Cheese Knife - Stainless Steel (reduces sticking)

Semi-Hard

• Examples: Aged Gouda, Manchego, Gruyère
• Profile: Nutty, firm, versatile
• Serve with: Apples, cured meats

swissmar tools:

• Universal Stainless Steel Cheese Knife
• Cheese Plane - Stainless Steel for even slices

Hard & Crumbly

• Examples: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Cheshire
• Profile: Salty, intense, crystalline
• Serve with: Nuts, balsamic, cured meats

swissmar tools:

• Parmesan Cheese Knife - Stainless Steel
• Hard Rind Cheese Knife - Stainless Steel
• Cheese Cleaver - Stainless Steel Handle

swissmar Accessories That Elevate Your Board

• Animal Cheese Pick Set - Stainless Steel: Label or spear cheeses with playful style.
• Cheese & Chocolate Girouette - Stainless Steel: Create elegant curls from cheeses or chocolate for a show-stopping presentation.
• Stainless Steel Cheese Holder: Stabilizes cheese for clean, precise cuts.

Match the Right Knife to Each Cheese

Cheese Type swissmar Tool
Soft & Moist Soft Cheese Knife, Moist Cheese Knife, Cheese Spreader
Semi-Soft Semi-Soft Cheese Knife, Universal Cheese Knife
Semi-Hard Universal Cheese Knife, Cheese Plane
Hard & Rind-On Parmesan Knife, Hard Rind Knife, Cheese Cleaver

This ensures every cheese is served cleanly, maintaining texture and appearance.

swissmar Knife Sets for a Cohesive Look

• Slim-Line Stainless Steel 4-Piece Set: Sleek, modern, versatile.
• Timber Walnut Wood 3-Piece Set: Moist Cheese Knife, Cheese Cleaver, Parmesan Knife with ergonomic handles.
• Barcelona & Bavaria Collections: Stylish handles with tools dedicated to each cheese texture for professional-level presentation.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Cheese Board

1. Balance textures: Include soft, semi-soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses.
2. Pre-slice where possible: Use a Cheese Plane or Parmesan Knife for easy portions.
3. Label creatively: Use the Animal Cheese Pick Set to identify cheeses and add flair.
4. Add garnishes: Try chocolate curls with the Cheese & Chocolate Girouette.
5. Serve with the right tool: Keep a dedicated knife for each cheese for effortless presentation.

Sample Board Idea

• Brie (soft) + fig jam → Soft Cheese Knife
• Havarti (semi-soft) + olives → Semi-Soft Cheese Knife
• Aged Gouda (semi-hard) + apples → Cheese Plane
• Parmigiano-Reggiano (hard) + roasted nuts → Parmesan Cheese Knife
• Optional chocolate curls → Cheese & Chocolate Girouette

Why swissmar Tools Matter

swissmar tools—from stainless steel knives to wood-handled sets—are crafted for precision, style, and functionality. Each knife is purpose-built for its cheese type, ensuring perfect slices, spreads, and presentation.

With the right cheeses and swissmar accessories, your charcuterie board isn’t just a snack, it’s an experience.