10 Amazing Gifts for Cheese Lovers
When you want to give a gift to a cheese lover in your life, there are plenty of options beyond offering them a block of their favorite variety. So to help inspire you, we’ve scoured the internet and come up with ten of the most original and useful suggestions – from the economical to the downright extravagant!
1. Offer them a cheese hamper
Mixed hampers of luxury foods are a popular gift choice. However, some of the products they contain may not be of much interest to a cheese-loving individual. So make sure to look for specialized cheese hampers that are packed with surprising flavors and textures. And why not include some wines or even artisanal beers to complement your treat?
2. Book a wine & cheese pairing course
Nothing goes better with cheese than the right glass of wine. But with so many combinations, how can you know which wine is the best partner for your favorite cheese?
If this is a dilemma for the person you want to surprise, a wine and cheese pairing course will help them get the most from their selections – and take their cheeseboard offerings to the next level of enjoyment.
3. Offer a Wisconsin Cheese Farm & Factory Tour
If you think they’d enjoy learning how their favorite nibble is made, a cheese factory tour could surprise and fascinate your recipient. Wisconsin is the epicenter of cheese production in America, and the state has the world’s highest cheese production per capita.
So if you’re nearby, a surprise visit to one of the many small cheesemakers makes an economical and thoughtful gift. However, unless you live in the state, you may also need to offer air tickets and hotel rooms if you want to impress!
4. Book a gourmet cheese tour in France
French cheeses are amongst the world’s best, with each region producing its specialty. From a day’s tasting experience in Paris to a more extended tour of one or more of the most famous terroirs, this is the ultimate experience for cheese lovers.
What makes it even more magical is that cheese and wine are inseparable in France. In Provence, for example, rosé wine and goat’s cheese are a natural pairing. A visit to the spectacular French Alps will uncover the most delicious cheeses, served with local wines made from grapes grown on the mountain slopes. Whichever region you choose will guarantee memories to last a lifetime.
5. Buy them a brand-new cheese slicer
There’s much more to cutting cheese than just hacking it with a knife and hoping you’ll end up with evenly sized slices. The proper slice not only improves presentation but also prevents waste, as the cheese won’t crumble away when cut.
There are various designs to choose from. A classic plane is versatile enough for all types of cheese, a rolling cheese slicer is ideal for hard and semi-hard varieties, and a quality mandolin has endless uses.
Wire cutters come with a marble or wooden board and are an attractive option.
6. Create a cheese-filled charcuterie board for breakfast
Why not create a cheese-themed charcuterie board for breakfast to create a unique gift that shows creativity as well as love?
Start with a large wooden board, then use your imagination and talent to pack it with attractively arranged cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, pickles, breads, and crackers. There’s no limit to the foods you can include or how you arrange them to create a visual splash. Yes, it will take time and effort, but it’s a unique way to show how much you care.
7. Buy them a block of exotic cheese
Sometimes it’s all about quality and exclusivity. Why not astonish your cheese lover with a block of rare cheese?
To make a real statement, get your hands on some Pule, also known as donkey cheese. At around $600 per pound, it’s easily the world’s most expensive cheese. And to prove how much you care, you’ll probably need to head to the Zasavica Nature Reserve in Serbia, which is the only place it’s made.
Or, for something slightly more affordable, moose milk cheese retails at around $500 per pound. As it’s only produced in Sweden’s Bjurholm region by just three moose (named Gullan, Juna, and Haelga), it will genuinely make an exclusive gift.
8. Buy them a fondue pot
Fondue pots are associated with traditional Swiss cooking or the 1970’s dinner party craze. But a cheesy fondue is one of the most fun dishes to serve at a dinner party – and it’s also easy to make.
In addition, fondue pots come in a wide range of designs and colors, so it’s easy to find an option that will fit into your cheese-lover’s design scheme.
9. Arrange a trip to Alkmaar’s Cheese Market
Let’s say you want to offer a cheese-themed trip that’s somewhere off the beaten tourist track. Then booking a trip to Alkmaar, in the northern Netherlands, could be your solution. With a chance to browse the famous cheese market, your recipient will also enjoy the artisanal local beers and laid-back Dutch culture.
On the other hand, if a trip to this corner of Europe isn’t practical, treating your cheese lover to a hand-made selection from a local farmer’s market will make an acceptable and far more economical alternative.
10. Cheese paper for storage
To retain its flavor, texture, and moisture content, cheese has to be stored correctly. Throwing it into an airtight container and sticking it in the fridge won’t do the job. Instead, special wrapping paper, used by artisan cheesemakers, allows the cheese to breathe yet prevents it from drying out.
So every time your recipient unwraps a chunk of their favorite cheese and inhales its delicious aroma, they’ll think of you and how thoughtful you are! A humble but practical gift that any cheese enthusiast will appreciate. Prices start from $9!
