Which cheese plates are best?
Cheese is a special kind of food. It can work as an accent ingredient in many dishes, but it also works as a delicious snack in its own right. When the time comes to enjoy a spread of yummy cheeses, there’s no better way to serve them than on a cheese plate.
But what type of cheese plate do you need? While some may prefer a basic model that’s best for passing around the living room during a football game, others may want a fancier piece for use at a dinner party.
If you’re ready to decide which cheese plate is best for you, our informative buying guide and reviews can help you make the right choice. Our top pick, the TOSCANA Circo Cheese Board and Knife Set, includes a set of tools for preparing and serving all your favorite cheeses.
What to know before you buy a cheese plate
Size
When choosing the size of your cheese plate, consider how many people you plan to serve and how many cheeses you’d like to offer them. Also, think about how much storage space you have available in your home when your cheese plate isn’t in use.
Material
- Wooden cheese plates are the most common type. They do, however, tend to absorb the scent of the cheese, which can be an annoyance over time. You can place a piece of fabric over a wooden cheese board to avoid this issue.
- Metal cheese plates are usually made from stainless steel. While they’re easy to clean and usually don’t absorb odors like wooden plates, the silver color doesn’t always look as nice against the color of the cheeses.
- Marble/stone cheese plates keep the cheese cool, and they’re very dense. Although some can be heavy, they are much sturdier than other materials. While stone is slightly porous, it doesn’t run the same risk of absorbing the cheese odors as wooden plates.
- Ceramic/porcelain cheese plates are rare. They’re not very durable and somewhat heavy. Nevertheless, they look beautiful on display, so if you just want something to put up on a shelf for decoration, a ceramic or porcelain cheese plate might be the best choice.
- Set vs. singular: Some cheese plates come in a set, while others come as a single plate. Sets are good for serving multiple people at the same time, while a single is best for leaving on a table or counter. Sets are more expensive but worth it if that suits your needs.
Shape
- Oval cheese plates are the most traditional style. Some may include handles.
- Square/rectangle cheese plates are usually called cheese boards. They add a rustic look to your cheese selection. They don’t usually include handles.
- Other shapes are available, such as triangles and octagons, though they’re not common. You can also get one that is custom-shaped like your home state, football team, or company logo, to name a few.
How much you can expect to spend on a cheese plate
Most cheese plates cost between $20-$50. For $20, cheese plates are for four to five guests and are usually made of wood. For $35, you can get a set of cheese plates of different sizes made from stainless steel. If you spend $50 or more, you can get a marble cheese plate or perhaps even a marble set.
Cheese plate FAQ
How long is cheese safe to leave out without refrigeration?
A. Cheese is okay to sit at room temperature for between four and eight hours. After that point, it becomes inedible, depending on the cheese in question. Harder cheeses usually last longer than soft cheeses.
Do cheese plates come with any tools for slicing?
A. Sometimes. While most cheese plates do not include tools for slicing and serving the cheese, a few models do. Those that include tools tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
What’s the best cheese plate to buy?
Top cheese plate
TOSCANA Circo Cheese Board and Knife Set
What you need to know: This is a well-built cheese plate with top-of-the-line accessories.
What you’ll love: It comes with all the tools you need for slicing up your cheese and has a lifetime warranty.
What you should consider: Some find the serving surface to be small.
Top cheese plate for the money
Fox Run 3808 Slate Cheese Board
What you need to know: This cheese board is available at a great price for a wholly unique cheese-serving experience.
What you’ll love: The natural slate is smooth and can be written on with chalk to label the types of cheese on the plate.
What you should consider: Some people had trouble with it staining.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
