Nothing seems to make a greater impact than a beautifully arranged cheese board when it comes to entertaining dinner guests. If you are looking to purchase your first cheese board, you may be wondering what size a cheese board should be. Fortunately, we have gathered a good amount of research on this topic and have the answer for you.
Cheese boards come in many different shapes and sizes, but the standard rectangular cheese board is 9 by 13 inches. However, it can be as massive as 20 by 30 inches. Round cheese boards can vary in diameter, anywhere between 12 inches all the way up to 26 inches. There is no definitive size that is best for cheese boards, as it really depends on the number of people you will be serving.
We encourage you to keep reading to learn about the different kinds of cheeseboards and how to choose the right one for your needs. We will also spotlight several of our favorite cheeseboards. In addition to that, we'll discuss how many cheese boards you will need for a party.
What You Should Look For When Buying A Cheese Board
There are several factors to consider when you are deciding what cheese board to purchase.
1. Size
Obviously, one of the most important details to contemplate when buying a cheese board is its size. If you want a board for your personal use, go for something under a foot long. Hosting a dinner party for eight people and need an easy appetizer? You can get a cheese board that is in the midrange of 13 by 16 inches. If you plan on entertaining a large crowd or serving a lot of accompaniments with your cheese, we recommend a larger platter that is at least 20 inches long.
How Thick Should A Cheese Board Be?
Wondering how thick your cheeseboard should be? It depends on the type of material your board is made of. It is suggested that cheese boards made of wood be anywhere between one and a half to two inches thick, especially if you plan on cutting cheese on them.
If you are using kitchen slate, we found the common thickness of these cheese boards to be half an inch. Due to the sheer weight of marble, we don't recommend anything thicker than one inch for stone cheeseboards.
2. Material
Deciding on a cheese board requires careful consideration of the type of material it is made of. There are many different options, but we are going to focus on the four most popular choices: slate, marble, bamboo, and wood.
Slate
Predominantly black, kitchen slate is an impressive choice for a cheeseboard. Besides being beautiful to look at, it is also quite functional. It is non-porous, which means it won't absorb undesirable flavors. It is less reactive to acidic foods such as tomatoes, which allows for less discoloration. The only drawback is that slate boards tend to scratch easily.
Marble
Marble is another popular choice for a cheeseboard for a couple of reasons. First of all, marble provides the best temperature zone for your cheese platter due to its ability to transfer heat away from your cheese, helping them to keep cool. Marble also has quite a bit of durability. The downsides to marble are that it can dull your knives, and it is quite porous.
Bamboo
Even though bamboo has a similar appearance to wood, it's actually grass. It is somewhat porous but is harder than wood. Since bamboo grows rapidly, it is considered a renewable resource, making it an eco-conscious choice for a cheeseboard. Another bonus to bamboo cheese boards is that it has natural antimicrobial properties that make it food safe.
Wood
Wood boards are the most common choice for serving cheese. You can easily cut the cheese directly on this material, and it is simple to clean and economical. Wood is also aesthetically pleasing. One caveat is that you want to pick a non-porous wood. Therefore, bypass any cheese boards made of oak, fir, cedar, pine, larch, cypress, walnut, or mahogany.
What Wood Is Food Safe?
While most woods, both porous and non-porous, are food safe, there are a few that are better choices for your cheeseboard. These include olive wood, birch, American cherry, hard maple, and teak. Due to their non-porous nature, they won't absorb flavors from other foods such as garlic and thus retain the proper flavor profile of your cheese. It's important to avoid any boards that have a lacquer finish or varnish. These are not food-safe and can chip off when cut on.
3. Presentation
Displaying a cheese board is an easy way to impress your guests, but it doesn't have quite the same impact if the platter is a rusty sheet pan. Of course, the material you choose for your cheese board will affect the presentation. However, there are a few other aspects to consider if you want beauty and functionality to meet.
A cheese board is typically arranged in the comfort of your kitchen, but the party doesn't always take place in that same space. If you need to transport your cheese board to another room, having a lip on the board helps keep everything in its place. Handles are another feature that can help you carry the tray to the party.
Regardless of your needs, there are cheese platters available to tick off all the boxes.
Our Top Cheese Board Picks
Here we have arranged a few of our favorite cheeseboards in all shapes, sizes, and materials.
1. Multi-Pack Slate Cheeseboard
Although small in size (measuring 6 by 8.75 inches), this six-pack of slate cheese boards is perfect for both individual use and entertaining. Since you can separate your cheeses by type on their own platter, there is no worry of cross-contaminating flavors. This also allows you to spread the cheese board out more so there isn't a traffic jam at your party. Includes three pieces of chalk so you can easily label the types of cheese you are serving. Click here to view this product on Amazon.
2. Round Marble Serving Plate
The elegant design of this polished marble cheese board is sure to impress. The 12-inch diameter makes this a good choice when hosting a smaller group of guests. Note that natural stone coloration does vary, so this product may not appear identical to the image. Click here to view this product on Amazon.
3. Ultimate Bamboo Cheese Board
This 13 by 16-inch bamboo cheese platter comes with everything you need to make a truly epic cheeseboard. It features two pull-out drawers that offer extra space for garnishes and a special drawer to hold the included cutlery. It also includes two ceramic bowls for condiments, as well as a round tray that can be used to hold fruits or nuts. Click here to view this product on Amazon.
4. Extra Large Maple Chopping Block
Although this is technically a butcher block, it can double as a stunning cheeseboard with its checkerboard pattern. The maple wood is non-porous, and it is an impressive 18 by 24 inches with a 2.25-inch thickness. Handles carved into the side make this an easy tray to carry to the table where it will be served. Click here to view this product on Amazon.
How Many Cheese Boards Should You Have For A Party?
The size of the cheeseboard, as well as the number of people you will be serving at your party, will determine how many cheese boards you should have. If your cheese board is on the smaller size, you could feasibly have up to three separate cheese platters. However, if you have a gigantic cheese board or only have a handful of guests, you could put out a single cheese board.
The real question to ask here is how much cheese do you need for a party. The answer to that depends on the number of people attending and what you are serving alongside the cheese. If you are going to serve the cheese with many other accompaniments, then plan on three to four ounces of cheese per guest. However, if you want the cheese to be the star of the show, you should plan on buying three pounds for eight people, six pounds for 16 people, or nine pounds for 24 people.
To Summarize
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a cheeseboard, but if you know the types of events you will be using it for, it's easy to narrow it down to the right size for your needs. With wood, bamboo, marble, or slate cheeseboards on the market, you have a large variety to choose from. You can't go wrong with the cheeseboard you decide to pick as it's sure to make a big impression on all of your guests.
Not sure what to serve with your cheeses? Check out this article: "What Do You Serve With Cheese Boards?"
Looking for the right knives to slice and serve your cheese, then read this post: "What Kind Of Knife Is Best For Cutting Cheese?"
