How to cut cheese like a professional, step by step

Cheese lovers know that cheese needs to be treated gently to enjoy its excellent qualities to the full. Cutting cheese properly is therefore essential to serving and tasting it as it deserves.

The cheese’s shape determines how it should be cut, keeping it intact and ensuring its presentation and tasting are perfect.

As we have seen, there are many types of cheese, and each has its own way of being cut. At Cabesota, we explain how to cut cheese like a professional. Let us begin:

How to cut small, round, flat cheeses such as Camembert

Cut these cheeses like a cake, into equal triangular portions, working from the centre towards the edge.

We recommend running the knife blade under hot water and drying it thoroughly before cutting, to stop the cheese sticking to the knife.

How to cut large, round cheeses such as Brie

Whether whole or in wedges, cut these cheeses into long slices first, as with small cheeses, then cut those slices in half.

How to cut cylindrical cheeses such as goat’s cheese logs

Cut these cheeses into rounds, from one end to the other. Square cheeses, however, are cut like small round cheeses: into triangular portions from the centre to the edge.

How to cut hard or semi-hard round cheeses, such as mature or semi-mature sheep’s milk cheese

Mature cheeses, aged for more than 4 months, should be cut into triangular wedges. This is both the traditional and simplest method.

For semi-mature cheese, matured for only 2 months, the best way to enjoy it is in wedges or strips, 5 to 10 millimetres thick.

How to cut soft cheeses

Soft cheeses are cut into small slices, always at least 5 mm thick. As they are harder to cut, dip the knife into a container of hot water to stop the cheese sticking.

How to cut blue cheese wedges, such as Roquefort

Place the cheese on one of its two cut faces, then cut diagonally towards the edge in a fan shape.

How to cut the strongest cheeses

Cheeses such as our extra-mature cheese in extra virgin olive oil can be served in small cubes or as a block.

How to cut wax-coated round cheeses into wedges, such as Edam or Gouda

Place the cheese on one of its two cut faces and cut triangular portions diagonally from the centre of the wedge to its edges, forming a fan. It can also be cut into equal-sized cubes.

How to cut very hard cheeses such as Parmesan

These cheeses are broken into small, irregular pieces rather than sliced, usually with a pointed cheese knife.

How to store cheese once it has been cut

Once you have started a cheese, it is best to wrap it in cling film or aluminium foil, although ideally it should be kept in an airtight container.

Keep it in the less cold parts of the fridge and never in the freezer. Cheese is one of the foods that should never be frozen.

For more information about how to store cheese to make it last longer, follow the link.