Cutting cheese like a pro: the cutest ways for a party on the table

Which knives are suitable?

When cutting cheese, it is important to use the right knife for this purpose. Thus, different knives are suitable, depending on the type of cheese.

• Whole-bladed cheese slicer: This is the classic cheese slicer that may already be in your kitchen drawer. It is suitable for most cheeses, but especially for semi-hard and hard varieties, such as Gouda cheese.
• Half-bladecheese slicer: Young cheese is a fattier type of cheese and tends to clump up faster when shaved. A half-blade cheese slicer reduces wrinkles in the slices.
• Cheese knife with open blade: The cheese knife with holes in the blade is specially designed for cutting semi-soft cheeses such as young cheese.
• Cheese knife with half blade: This cheese knife is a modern version of the cheese knives with large openings. The half blade glides easily through the cheese without crushing it. Ideal for cheeses such as brie and camembert.
• Cradle knife: The cradle knife is a smaller variant of the knife used by cheese experts. Its two handles allow you to cut safely. This knife is ideal for quickly removing the rind from a cheese, after which you can easily dice it.
• Cheese axe: A cheese axe is the best choice for cutting semi-hard to hard cheeses, such as sheep cheese. With its sturdy and hard blade, you can also cut and break hard cheeses easily.
• Cheese curler: A cheese curler allows you to make thin, curly strips of cheese. By turning the handle, the blade scrapes over the cheese and creates beautiful curls.
• Cheese grater: Cheese graters come in several varieties, including handy models with a half cutting edge, ideal for quickly grating some cheese over your dish.

The art of cutting techniques

We have just discovered that choosing the right knife is the first step to making your cheese board shine. It is then important to apply the right cutting technique. Below are some examples of techniques you can use for different types of cheese:

• For hard cheeses, a cheese knife with a wide and sturdy blade is ideal. Use light pressure and make smooth movements to cut even slices.
• For semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda or sheep's cheese, use a cheese knife with small holes to prevent sticking and make precise slices.
• Soft cheeses, such as young cheese, are easiest to cut with a cheese knife with a thin blade. Make a rocking motion to cut the cheese neatly without disturbing the soft texture
• For crumbly cheeses, you can use a cheese crumbling knife to easily cut off small chunks or crumbs without crushing the cheese.

Steps for cutting cheese

A perfectly cut cheese board can be a real addition for when you have guests over. But the secret to a beautifully laid-out cheese board lies not only in the cheeses you choose, but in the steps you take with the slicing. For a clear overview, we've put together a step-by-step guide to ensure your cheeseboard looks perfect:

1. Choose the right knife based on the type of cheese you are going to cut.
2. Make sure the cheese is at room temperature before you start carving. This helps preserve the flavour and texture of the cheese.
3. Place the cheese on a firm background and cut with even pressure and smooth movements. Always start by cutting the rind if the cheese has one.
4. Arrange the sliced cheese on a cheese board or serving dish and present it with crackers, fruit, nuts and possibly wine to enjoy.

These simple steps will help you cut and serve your cheese perfectly!

Henri Willig cheese accessories

Numerous delicious dishes can be made with the artisanal Dutch cheeses produced by Henri Willig in its own cheese factories since 1974. But how do you make sure the cheese is shown off to its best advantage? Right, with our cheese accessories! Discover our range and order your cheese accessories, including our cheese knives, scrapers and graters, via our webshop!