Every year, we look forward to the heartwarming and nostalgic flavors of Christmas. Peppermint, cinnamon, cloves… even that cloyingly sweet eggnog, which tastes amazing at least once during the holiday season. In fact, party food seems to hit the pinnacle of deliciousness around Christmas time. So, when planning a holiday party that’s full of festive flare, which seasonal cheeses should you serve? You can never go wrong with the crowd-pleasing classics, especially when those cheeses are expertly paired with your selection of winter beverages. But we think it might be fun to try something a little different this year! Add one of these Christmas-flavored cheeses to your party’s spread, and taste the flavor of cheesy holiday cheer.
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of cheeselearnin.blogspot.com
Peppermint flavored cheese?! That’s right, Sartori Cheese has introduced its limited edition Peppermint BellaVitano, and this pinkish cheese as pretty as a Christmas candy cane. The BellaVitano has a flavor that is reminiscent of Parmesan. Paired with the peppermint rubbed rind, Sartori’s creation is a subtle blend of sweet and salty, while leaving a lingering taste of minty freshness.
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of goldcreekfarms.com
With the piney Christmas tree smell coming from the living room, and the delicious scents of dinner slowly roasting in the kitchen, rosemary is the perfect holiday herb. With such a powerful aroma and flavor, Gold Creek Farms masterfully makes a Rosemary and Mint Cheddar that is punctuated with biting and slightly spicy notes that are not overpowering.
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of wensleydale.co.uk
The name “mince pie” might be misleading or slightly off-putting to those of us outside of the UK, but give this British holiday tradition a chance! With a culinary history that stretches back to the Middle Ages, the time-tested mince pie recipe remains a popular Christmas treat among British eaters. Packed full of spiced fruits and boozy flavors, mince pies are not overpoweringly sweet, which makes them a good accompaniment to cheese at holiday parties. In fact, Yorkshire’s Wensleydale Creamery thought the two were such a good match that for the 2014 Christmas season, they introduced a mince pie-inspired cheese, complete with fruit pieces and biscuit crumbles.
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of britishfinefoods.com
What’s Christmas without decorations and ornaments? Despite its less-than-festive name, Lancashire Bomb Cheese is dangerously delicious, and looks fatally attractive on a holiday cheeseboard. This unique cheese is bound to impress your guests.
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of bonappetit.com
Break out the girolle, we’re making cheese ribbons this year! A truly show-stopping way to present cheese at your holiday party, using a cheese curler is a fun way to get guests playing with their food (in the cleanest way possible). The curler creates lovely, paper-thin petals of cheese that are perfect on crackers, or even dipped in balsamic vinegar. Use on whole cheese wheels, such as Tête de Moine or P’tit Basque.
Holiday entertaining is also the perfect opportunity to bring back everyone’s favorite retro classic, the cheese ball. With such a versatile base, serving a cheese ball at your Christmas party is sure to appeal to all eaters, especially with delightful mix-ins like cranberries, walnuts, or thyme.
Photo Credit: Featured Image courtesy of yourhomemagazine.co.uk
Emily Dangler
Culture Intern Emily Dangler is a creative writer and travel enthusiast, who is always looking for a good story to tell. Originally a West Coast girl, Emily has spent several years migrating across the country and is currently an adopted resident of Boston, where she is enjoying the city's delicious food and rich history.
