This post is all about finding the best spring cheese for your board.
Isn’t it fascinating how cheese, just like our seasonal produce, boasts different tasting notes based on the season? When I first learned this, I was surprised, and then quickly embarrassed, by my lack of awareness. I love and appreciate the world of cheese and had thought of this beloved dairy item as a food that varies in quality, of course, but gave very little consideration regarding how its effected by the whims of nature.
And, it’s for this reason that I thought it would be helpful to create a quick and easy guide for you, dear reader, so you may have a bit of a primer regarding spring cheese (in case you’re like me!). This way you can quickly discern what would be best to put on your fromage plate as the days become warmer and brighter. Let’s impress your guests with beautiful, fresh, cheeses which pair with the beauty and brightness of the spring season.
Why Spring Cheese is Special Cheese
In the spring, when animals are permitted to spend more of their time outside to graze on fresh, green grass and herbs, their milk takes on the distinct characteristics of this verdant vegetation. Fortunately, for us, when goats, sheep, and cows consume these fresh greens, their milk then makes for a cheese product that is particularly noteworthy, featuring various notes based on the region and the growing crop.
Based on the type of cheese: region, animal, etc., you may notice a vast difference in the same cheese produced in the winter vs. the spring. They will also pair harmoniously with floral, springtime honey and spring produce like fresh peas and asparagus.
While in the States we are fortunate to have access to just about any cheese we’d like year-round, spring cheese is worth the time and effort to place on your board whether for a snacky dinner, a last minute get together with friends, or a planned springtime event.
Spring Cheese to Feature On Your Board
Now for the best part! Let’s talk cheese specifics, whether for a simple or bountiful board.
Quick note: In order to appreciate the fresh notes we’ve mentioned here, it’s important to consider where you’re buying your cheese. While many chain grocery stores are able to offer high quality cheese products from small (or small-ish) farms, make sure to consider the label, noting that your cheese is not mass produced on a large scale — you will not experience the artisanal quality, nor the bright notes we’ve mentioned here. You’ll see links to specific cheeses below to help you purchase / locate these near you.
Fresh Chèvre (Goat Cheese)
As noted previously, goats munching on fresh herbs, flowers, and grass, will lend to a vibrant, young cheese perfect for a spring tasting board. Look for a fresh chèvre at your local farmer’s market, cheese counter, or small grocer. Chèvre will be soft and spreadable, with some tang and bright notes. Accessible, delicious options include:
Vermont Creamery Goat Cheese Log
Fromage Blanc
Simply translating to “white cheese” from French, this cow’s milk cheese is fresh and soft, creamy and spreadable. It’s a special cheese in its simplicity which celebrates being paired with fresh fruit and jams, herbs and greens. Truly, it’s very versatile.
Brebis Blanche
This sheep’s milk cheese is delicate and, you guessed it, delicious. Soft, spreadable, and slightly sweet, you can pair this with just about anything. Grab your favorite crusty bread or cracker, and fresh in-season fruit, and make yourself a lovely tartine featuring brebis blanche local to your area.
Here’s an online purchasing option from Blackberry Farm Shop should it be helpful to you. And, oh dear goodness, they feature a brebis and ramp spread that would be the perfect offering on a spring cheese plate.
Nettle Meadow Kunik
Nettle Meadow Kunik is a celebrated cheese from Nettle Meadow Farm located in New York State. It’s a lovely blend of cow and goat milks, making for a creamy, rich, fudgy cheese, perfect to pair with rosé. If you’re unable to stop by and grab this yourself, you can visit Murray Cheese’s website to purchase.
Other Spring Cheese Options to Consider
A cheese can exude springtime notes not only through the milk itself, but through the utilization of other spring elements such as herbs, flowers, and bright flavors. Here are a few favorites that also “scream” spring:
- Herbed goat or brie cheese: Check your local cheese case for an herbed cheese. Often times stores will start to carry a special cheese such as this to celebrate the season. One option available typically available at Whole Foods Fromager d’Affinois Garlic & Herb. Wegman’s has their own version of Garlic & Herb brie. Just, yum.
- Okay. Baked Lemon Ricotta is delicious. I had this treat at our local cheese counter a few years ago and fell in love. This would make for a lovely dessert or as a sweeter offering to balance out your board. It literally tastes like lemon cheesecake. Yes please.
- Capriole’s Goat Cheese Julianna not only looks like spring, as it’s coated in brightly hued florals, it also boasts spring flavors. It pairs well with rosé, which is, of course, the go-to wine of the season for many.
- Another lovely option to consider is a marinated feta (or goat), like Meredith Dairy’s Marinated Cheese. You can purchase this already made, or buy your own feta, cube it, and store it in a high quality olive oil (we’ve enjoyed this one as of late) with fresh herbs of your choosing. Quick, easy, fresh. Just the way we like it.
If you prefer a recipe, From Scratch Fast walks you through the simple steps of a marinated cheese.
A Beautiful Aesthetic Option for Spring Cheese
If you’re looking for a beautiful aesthetic offering consider a simple combo of fresh goat cheese rolled in fresh pansies (or other edible flower). Quite simple with easy-to-source ingredients.
As noted, this is quite simple – it just takes an extra (few) steps of planning ahead to have edible flowers on hand — dry or fresh would work.
Remove the packaging from a goat cheese log, like the one pictured above from @cheesepleaseorlando, and lay out an array of edible flowers — pansies are perfect – they grow in a variety of colors and pack a punch with their various hues — on a piece of wax or parchment paper. Simply roll your log over the flowers to place them. Pair with some lovely crostini and you’ve got a stunning cheese to display!
Other options for edible flowers which create a beautiful spring cheese aesthetic include: nasturtium, lilacs, clover, or even a mix so you can use a variety based on your table for cocktail or food garnish.
I’ve included links in case you would like to try your hand at growing them yourself. It’s a fun project to start indoors in the winter (or sow directly outside when the ground is warm enough) if you’re in the mood to take it on!
Helpful Cheese Websites
If you’re interested in learning more about spring cheese or just cheese in general, here are a few resources:
The Academy of Cheese has very helpful guides and resources about Cheese 101, tasting cheese, cheese flavors, etc.
Here’s a great article / guide from Food & Wine magazine that offers a thorough review of the basics.
Better Homes & Gardens also has a very digestible guide that covers the basics.
Where to Buy Cheese Online
Any of these retailers sell and ship beautiful high quality cheeses to make your life a bit easier:
Cypress Grove (Nationwide) I Murray’s Cheese (NYC & Nationwide) I Vermont Creamery (Vermont & Nationwide)
DiBruno Brothers (Philadelphia & Nationwide) I Jasper Hill Farm (Vermont & Nationwide)
Fairfield Cheese Company (Connecticut) I Saxelby Cheese (New York & Nationwide) I Blackberry Farm Shop (Tennessee)
Cheese Accoutrements
I love to pair a seasonal plate or board with hues and patterns that evoke the season’s elements. Here is a bit of inspiration for you (with all sources linked in the picture):
A moderate sized, neutral cutting board which will let the cheeses stand out
Lovely spring green melamine plates from Target
The perfect springtime tablecloth
This gorgeous spring green runner is a great option instead of a tablecloth
Sweet scalloped napkins (they come in many colors)
Delicious strawberry jam to compliment spring cheeses
Great vehicle for spring cheese
French cheese knives for serving
Enamel ramekins for jam or preserves
These 34 Degrees Original Crisps are another great spring cheese vehicle
Whatever spring cheese you choose to serve, you are bound to enjoy every bite. Cheers to a delectable time spent noshing and welcoming the fresh flavors of spring!
This post was all about finding the perfect spring cheese for your board!
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