Cheese Please!
Grazing Board Tips
- Place a variety of cheeses around the board. Choose a mix of spreadable, bloomy rind, semi-hard and hard cheeses. Depending on the size and texture, they can be whole or cut into slices.
- Place bowls of olives, jam, honey and dips down the center of the board.
- Add your favorite meats or alternatives in a few different places. Salami slices can be folded into quarters or rolled to create a fun design.
- Add crackers and vegetables in large open spaces.
- Place bunches of grapes, berries, dried fruit, nuts or chocolate in the small open spaces.
See below for some of our favorite local grazing board picks. Most of all, have fun!
Local Pairings: Berry & Thyme Jams Paired with Local Cheeses
Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog
Arcata, CA
Soft-Ripened Goat Milk Cheese from Humboldt County California, Humboldt Fog is The American Original®. Conceived in a dream (yes, really!) by founder Mary Keehn, this masterpiece paved the way for soft-ripened goat cheese in America. Each handcrafted wheel features a distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash.
Pair with fresh slices of apple or seasonal salad greens
photo: Berry and Thyme Pineapple Habanero jam and Raincoast Crisp Cracker
The Uncreamery- Crimson King Nut Cheese
San Francisco, CA
Crimson King – a delectable fusion of almond-based block cheese, zesty jalapeños, smoky chipotle, and tart cranberries. This innovative blend of flavors delivers a unique and satisfying taste experience that is sure to impress. Savor the creamy texture and bold flavors of this plant-based cheese on its own or elevate your favorite dishes with its versatility. Meltable, shreddable, delectable.
pair with Guava Basil Jam and sliced apricot
Valley Ford Cheese Co.- Grazin Girl Gorgonzola
Valley Ford, CA
Modeled after Gorgonzola Dolce, Grazin’ Girl is the newest member of the Valley Ford Cheese Co. family. Using a needle, each wheel is pierced by hand in order to allow for the slow development of blue streaking throughout the cheese. It’s dense, buttery and crumbly with flavors of salted nuts, sweet cream and peppery blue. A perfect mellow blue for salads or drizzled with honey!
Pair with Papaya Vanilla Jam, fresh apples and pears
Sierra Nevada Cheese Co.- Bella Capra Goat Chèvre
Willows, CA
Bella Capra Goat Chèvre is made from fresh local goat milk from neighboring goat farm and features a remarkably soft, creamy texture with light citrus flavor notes. This high quality Chèvre is made using traditional methods with only the best quality ingredients available. Petite Breakfast Brie is Bella Capra’s oldest cheese with the longest history, and also their youngest cheese since it's a fresh brie that is unaged. It has a mild flavor that makes it easy to pair with a variety of sweet or savory flavors. It is great on its own, with a drizzle of honey, fruit jam, or pepper jelly, but the potential flavor combinations are unlimited!
Pair with Strawberry Lavender or Raspberry Jam
Vella Asiago
Sonoma, CA
This cheese originated in the commune of Asiago in the province of Vicenza, region of II Veneto in Italy. It was originally made from sheeps' milk, but it is now universally made from cows' milk. The result is a sweet curd, grana-type cheese with a pleasant aroma. In concert with their other grating cheese, Dry Monterey Jack, Asiago may be used as a table cheese when young. Their founder, Thomas G. Vella, proudly claimed that this is the first Asiago made in California in 70 years.
Pair with Strawberry Lavender Jam
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