Select your delivery date
Select your delivery date
Christmas is a wonderful excuse to bring out the cheeseboard. Whether you're planning an after-dinner treat on Christmas Day, putting together a Boxing Day buffet or entertaining friends over the festive season, a good selection of cheeses is always welcome.
A traditional mature Cheddar, something soft and creamy, a blue cheese and perhaps a flavoured variety will give everyone plenty to choose from.
Here at Devon Hampers, we're particularly fond of cheeses from Devon, Cornwall and across the West Country. We've picked out five styles worth trying this Christmas, along with a few tips on what to serve with them.
You can't really go wrong with a good mature Cheddar. Its rich, savoury flavour makes it a familiar favourite, and it's particularly good with chutneys, crackers and a slice of crusty bread.
For something with plenty of character, try Cornish Cheese Company's Extra Mature Cornish Cheddar. Produced in Cornwall, this full-flavoured cheese has a creamy texture with a slight crunch from crystals that develop naturally during maturation.
Another excellent choice is Black Bomber Extra Mature Cheddar from the Snowdonia Cheese Company. Wrapped in distinctive black wax, it has a rich, tangy flavour balanced by a smooth, creamy texture.
Both are lovely served with a fruity chutney or onion relish.
A soft cheese brings a welcome change of texture to a Christmas cheeseboard, particularly alongside stronger, more mature varieties.
Curds & Croust Miss Wenna Cornish Brie is a lovely choice. Made using Cornish milk, this mould-ripened Brie has a smooth, creamy texture, a delicate rind and a mellow flavour with subtle mushroom notes.
Serve it with plain crackers, fresh grapes or slices of pear to complement its gentle flavour.
It's also a good option for guests who prefer milder cheeses.
Blue cheese has long been a favourite on Christmas cheeseboards, with Stilton being a particularly traditional choice.
For something a little different, we recommend Cornish Blue from the Cornish Cheese Company.
Unlike some stronger blue cheeses, Cornish Blue has a mild, creamy flavour with buttery richness and a gentle sweetness. Its dense texture makes it a lovely addition to a cheeseboard, particularly for anyone who finds stronger blues a little overpowering.
Try serving it with oatcakes, fresh pear or a spoonful of fig chutney.
Red Leicester is another traditional British cheese that deserves a place at Christmas, particularly when you're looking for something with a different flavour and appearance to Cheddar.
Our Vintage Red Leicester from the Snowdonia Cheese Company is matured for 18 months, developing an intense, nutty flavour and a refined texture.
Its distinctive red wax coating also brings a little festive colour to the cheeseboard.
Pair it with savoury biscuits, chutney or slices of crisp apple for a simple combination that lets the cheese take centre stage.
If you fancy introducing something a little different alongside the traditional cheeses, a flavoured Cheddar is a great addition.
Green Thunder Mature Cheddar with Garlic and Herbs from the Snowdonia Cheese Company certainly lives up to its name.
This creamy mature Cheddar combines a strong, tangy cheese with the distinctive flavours of roasted garlic and herbs. It's full of character and makes an interesting alternative to plain Cheddar.
Serve it with simple crackers or crusty bread so the garlic and herbs can really come through.
Once you've chosen your cheeses, a few well-picked accompaniments can make all the difference. You don't need to go overboard. A mixture of crunchy, sweet and savoury options will give guests plenty of combinations to try.
Some of our favourites include:
Arrange everything on a large board or serving platter, leaving enough room for guests to cut and serve each cheese. Small bowls for chutneys help keep things tidy, and separate knives for stronger cheeses prevent the flavours from mixing.
It's easy to get carried away when choosing Christmas cheeses, but you don't need an enormous selection to make a lovely cheeseboard.
For most gatherings, three to five different cheeses will give guests a good variety of flavours and textures.
As a general guide, allow around 75–100g of cheese per person when serving it after Christmas dinner. If the cheeseboard is going to be the main part of a meal or a substantial grazing spread, you may want to allow closer to 150g per person.
For six people enjoying cheese after dinner, that means approximately 450–600g in total.
Think about your guests' preferences too. If everyone loves Cheddar but only one person enjoys blue cheese, it makes sense to buy more of the firm favourites and smaller amounts of the stronger varieties.
When ordering cheese for Christmas, it's worth planning when you intend to serve it, particularly if you're buying fresh varieties.
Check the storage instructions and use-by dates on each product, and refrigerate cheeses that require chilling as soon as they arrive.
When it's time to serve, put out what you expect guests to enjoy and keep the remaining cheese refrigerated until needed. This is especially helpful if you're entertaining throughout the day.
If you're preparing a cheeseboard for guests, remember to check any allergies or dietary requirements beforehand and refer to the product packaging for the relevant information.
A cheese hamper also makes a thoughtful Christmas present for someone who enjoys good food.
Our cheese hampers bring together a selection of cheeses and complementary treats, with choices to suit different tastes.
For anyone who enjoys traditional West Country flavours, our Cornish Cheese and Biscuit Hamper includes Cornish Blue, Extra Mature Cornish Cheddar, crackers and chutney.
Alternatively, our Three Cheeses Hamper combines Black Bomber, Miss Wenna Cornish Brie and Green Thunder with crackers and chutney.
Prefer to put together your own selection? Explore our individual cheeses and choose the varieties you know they'll enjoy.
Whether you're planning a Christmas gathering or sending a gift to a fellow cheese lover, we hope these suggestions help you discover a new favourite this festive season.
