Greek Platter Ideas You’re Guaranteed to Love

Set The Table

Greek platters, also known as Greek mezze platters, are small dishes of savory snacks typically presented as a complement to drinks. They’re the perfect dish to serve if you want to whip up something quick, easy, and filling for your guests.

In this article, I’ll show you how to make the ultimate Mediterranean platter snack board that’s sure to wow anyone who eats from it. I’ve also included several Greek platter ideas you can take inspiration from!

Short on Time? Here’s a Quick Summary!

The best thing about Greek platters is that there’s no definitive way to put them together, giving you the freedom to design and create a beautiful spread worthy of attention. Here’s how you should make it:

Prepare dips and/or spreads such as hummus, roasted eggplant spread, and spicy red pepper dips.
Generously add variations of meat and cheese around the platter.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a must. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, pears, etc.!
Don’t forget the bread, AKA the Greek “spoon.”
Fill it to the brim!

Ideas & Recipes for Your Greek Platter

Now that you know how to create your very own Greek platter, allow me to share my favorite go-to recipes for every occasion. I didn’t add the measurements because it all depends on how large your platter is. Add as much as you need to, as long as you fill it up!

Vegan Greek Mezze Platter

The best thing about Mezze platters is that they’re for everyone. Here’s a quick and easy vegan recipe you’re sure to love.

Ingredients

Fermented natural tofu
Cherry tomatoes
Artichoke hearts
Olives (plus points if they’re filled with almonds!)
Nuts of your choice
Hummus dip
Greek dolmades
Bread of choice

Preparation

Prepare several plates of Greek dolmades (AKA stuffed vine leaves). You can either do it yourself or buy them prepared at your local supermarket.
Slice the tofu and all the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
Arrange all the ingredients on a large platter until completely full. Leave no gaps in between.
Add the nuts evenly to the plate.
Serve semi-cold!

Classic Mediterranean Mezze Platter

Vegan mezze platters are tasty, but nothing beats the authentic taste of classic Mediterranean dishes!

Ingredients

Greek yogurt
Muhammara
Hummus dip
Greek gruyere
Feta cheese
Baby mozzarella
Grilled halloumi cheese with lemon
Greek meatballs
Greek sausage
Cherry tomatoes
Olives
Carrots
Lemon wedges
Radishes
Fennel
A small bunch of grapes
Pears
Bread of your choice

Preparation

Put the Greek yogurt, muhammara, and hummus dip in small dishes and add them to the platter.
Arrange all the other ingredients neatly after cutting them up into bite-sized pieces.
Fill the platter in with warm pita (or the bread of your choice) before serving. To add further aesthetic value and color, top it off with some fresh herbs like oregano and parsley.

How to Make a Greek Meze Platter

In order to make the “perfect” Greek mezze platter, you’ll need to cram the plate full of different colors, flavors, textures, and shapes.

Prepare the Dips and/or Spreads

The first thing you’ll need to prepare for your Greek platter is your dips and spreads. Use small bowls to house pickles, fresh olives, hummus, and the like. My top favorite Greek drips are Greek eggplant spread, htipiti, and cucumber yogurt.

Be Generous With the Meat and Cheese

You can add the meat and cheese anywhere in the bowl, but I personally like them to be close to the dips (for easier access).

For cheeses, you can add feta with olive oil with dried oregano, Kefalotiri cheese, Katiki cheese, and the like.

When it comes to meat options, consider adding juicy Greek meatballs (AKA keftedes), traditional Greek sausage, and any other meat (bacon, ham, salami, etc.) of your choice!

If you’re using a wide selection of meat, make sure to add a few different sections of cheese throughout the board. You can also add anchovies and hard-boiled egg (sliced into two) for extra protein!

Bread, Bread, and More Bread!

A Greek platter is incomplete without bread! Warm pita is the best and most popular choice of bread to serve. Traditionally, pita bread is cut into four triangles. If you prefer smaller pieces, you can cut it into eight.

If you don’t have pita bread available, you can use crostini, crackers, rusks, and breadsticks. If you’re using crackers, fan them out in a few different spots of the platter.

Add Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Add fresh components to your platter. Fresh tomatoes (plus points if they’re cherry tomatoes!), olives, and cucumbers are a must. To add further variety, use raw chickpeas, artichoke hearts, and peppers.

When it comes to fruits, add several slices of figs, apricots, grapes, melons, and pears. Make sure you cut them up in bite-sized pieces. Leave the stems on the grapes and cut them into little cups of two to three.

Fill It to the Brim

Greek mezze platters are made for sharing. Intimate and plentiful is the way to go. As much as possible, use the largest platter you have in your home and cram it full of food. Don’t leave even a slight gap in between the dishes!

Traditionally, a single mezze platter can serve ten or fewer guests comfortably. If you’re having a large party, don’t be afraid to make two or more platters. The most important thing is that it’s enough to fill every single guest with a little leftover (in case anyone wants to go back for a light snack after a few hours).

Drizzle Everything With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Take a step back and look at your grand creation. Does it look nutritionally balanced? Does it have enough variety? Colorful? Tasty? If your answer is yes, lightly drizzle the entire platter with extra virgin olive oil.

Optional: Nuts!

The problem with nuts is that not everyone likes them. Plus, some are allergic. If you personally know your guests and are 100% sure nuts are safe for everyone to consume, add several handfuls in any open space the platter may have.

Any nuts you already have in your pantry will do. Almonds, pistachios, candied walnuts, cashews—the options are endless. They’ll add a sweet and crunchy component to your dish and bring everything together.

Bottom Line

The best thing about Greek platters is that there’s no right or wrong way to put them together. Plus, they’re easy, fun, and family-friendly. Enjoy!

Fruit, Nut, and Cheese Platter – The Definitive Guide

Set The Table

You’re probably bored with traditional crackers plus dips and cheese platters that get served at parties. So am I.

What about letting your creative juices flow to create a colorful fruit, nut, and cheese platter to delight your guests in your next get-together?

Here’s how.

When to Serve a Fruit Nut and Cheese Platter?

There are endless possibilities to occasions where you serve such a platter to delight your guests. Among them:

Birthday parties
Bachelor parties
Graduation parties
Baby showers
Book clubs
Game nights
Family dinners
House parties
Holiday celebrations

It really is a get-together staple and a life savior sometimes!

How to Make Your Own Fruit, Nut, and Cheese Platter? – The Basics

This is a process that I have so much fun doing. You get to choose elements, assemble them together, and produce something that’s both good looking and perfect for snacking.

Choose a Convenient Base

You’ve got to start with laying out the base. I love using wooden platters. They look nice and complement the look of the fruits. You can find them in all shapes and sizes on Amazon. I’d recommend the Lipper Acacia Tree Bark Footed Server for its rustic contemporary appeal. It’s a work of art by itself.

Another nice option is the Unique Bamboo Charcuterie Platter from Royal Craft Wood. It’s designed to be used as a cheese platter, and it takes on loads of snacks!

You can use marble or silver platters as well. Be playful!

Big Things First

Start with big items like bowls or jars you’ll be placing on the platter. It might be a ramekin of olives, a jar of jam, or a small bowl of nuts. These components serve as centerpieces to your platter; you start arranging fruits and cheese around them.

Start with Cheese

Next, place your chosen cheese on the platter. I like to put them next to the centerpieces to separate them from each other so that their flavors don’t mix.

To give your platter an edge, use geometric shapes, especially when it comes to cheese. We’re looking for a perfectly triangular piece of brie, nicely cut aged cheddar slices, some gouda cheese cubes, and maybe a chunk of blue cheese. I’d recommend an average of three to five types of cheese.

Note that cheese should be served at room temperature, so make sure to let it out of the fridge about half an hour before serving the plate.

Throw in Some Crackers & Charcuterie (Optional)

This is an optional step, yet it enriches your platter. At this point, you can add some crackers and some french baguette slices. People love these additions!

However, don’t overdo it, as they take up plenty of space on your board. You can use separate bread baskets to solve this problem. Also, make sure you always have a restock.

If you’d like to add charcuterie, it’d be the time for that too. You can roll on some salami triangles from the deli.

Here Come the Fruits

That’s when your beloved platter will start to look complete. Place big fruits first. If you have mango or persimmon, you can start with them. Slicing out a mango so that its cubes pop out will amp up your platter’s appearance, and a peeled persimmon will look like a dazzling star on your platter.

Then, you can go on with sliced fruit. Slice a couple of apples, pears, kiwi, and maybe oranges?

Dried fruits are a welcome addition, as well.

Let the Platter Go “Nuts!”

At this point, you add your desired nuts. For mixed nuts, you can add them in a ramekin to be easily accessible. You can also place a bunch of almonds on the board to fill the gap between two fruits, for example. Pistachios look amazing too!

Just make sure to separate salted nuts from fruits so as not to mix flavors unintentionally. Leave the mixing to your guests!

Fill in the Gaps

Supposedly, you’re done by now, except for some gaps here and there on your platter. You can fill in these gaps using fruits like grapes, plums, berries, mandarines, or figs. You can slice some strawberries in half and add them too.

A few squares of dark chocolate would look pretty there, striking some contrast on that colorful plate!

What Cheese Should I Use on My Platter?

Now that we’re done with the ‘how,’ let’s get back to the ‘what.’ Here are the common types of cheese to use in a platter. However, there are no rules. You can use whatever you want!

You want some variation in cheese’s taste and textures. I’d advise you to take one or two of each type.

Soft Cheese

We’re looking at Brie, Mozzarella, and Camembert. These are soft textured cheese with a mild taste, so they go well with most fruits. They’re like the go-to option on your platter. Make sure to have plenty of the one you’ll choose of them, and it’d be better to accompany it with a serving knife.

For a stronger taste, we’ve got Feta cheese and Blue cheese. Both look and taste well accompanied by crackers, fruits, and nuts!

Hard Cheese

The best thing about hard cheese types is that they’re easy to serve. You’ve got Gouda with its distinct nutty flavor, Aged-Cheddar is a classic that pairs with nearly every fruit, and Parmesan with its subtle lovable taste.

What Fruits Go on the Platter?

Mhmm, anything?

You can’t say no to any fruit type. However, I’m going to mention some fruits that ‘look good’ on a platter.

Grapes, especially if you leave on the stem. Exotic!
Santa and Honeydew melons, slice some of these.
Mango, cut it well; it does wonders.
Berries and cherries, add both color and texture
Figs, texture!
Apples and pears, life-saviors.

Finally,

Have fun while you put your fruit, nut, and cheese platter together. It’s more about mixing colors and playing with textures than anything. Follow our guide, and you should end u

8 Tasty Italian Cheese Platter Ideas

Set The Table

There are over 650 varieties of cheese, and everyone has at least one favorite. Prepared the right way, cheese can be a whole meal on its own. Better yet, prep-time can take from 5 to 20 minutes tops, thanks to the smooth texture of most types.

Although a lot of people love cheese, no one loves it as much as Italians! It plays a huge role in Italian cuisine. Not only did Italians help spread it around the globe, but they also discovered numerous factors to affect a cheese’s flavor, texture, smell, etc.

A cheese platter is one of the most common kinds of appetizers, called antipasto in Italian. Here are some Italian cheese platter ideas you can easily implement.

A Summary of our Italian Cheese Platter Ideas

If you don’t have enough time, here’s a shortlist of the Italian cheese platters we’ll be discussing.

Cheese & Crackers Party Tray
Cheese & Meat Platter
Antipasto Platter
Elegant Cheese & Fruits Platter
Low-Carb Cheese Platter
Kid-Friendly Cheese Platter Recipe
Cinnamon Cheese Platter Recipe
Mexican-Italian Cheese Platter Recipe

8 Italian Cheese Platter Ideas for Your Next Gathering

Here are the top Italian cheese platter recipes that combine nicely, taste great, and are easy to prep. Most of the ingredients can be bought at your local store!

1. Cheese & Crackers Party Tray

There are four kinds of cheese—cheddar, swiss, Colby, and Havarti in this recipe. The best thing about it is the variety of crackers the recipe suggests. There are thin wheat crackers, woven wheat ones, and round buttery as well.

That way, the cheese isn’t eaten as a standalone. You can throw in some grapes and red apple slices, too, if you want to add a fruity touch.

2. Cheese & Meat Platter

Cheese and meat is an interesting combination, especially in platters. Usually, we hear about burgers stuffed with cheese, and that’s pretty much it. Platters of cheese and meat aren’t that common; that’s why we thought you’d love this one.

In this recipe, you’ll need 8 ounces of sliced salami, pepperoni, and lunch meat each.

There are only two pounds of cheese added because the main ingredient is meat. You may choose between cheddar, pepper jack, and swiss cheese. It’ll be served alongside some cream cheese.

There is the usual addition of fruits for taste-balancing, but perhaps the eye-catching addition in this recipe is the jar of marshmallow crème. It’s definitely something to give a shot if you’re looking to try something new.

3. Antipasto Platter

In this recipe, the main players are cheese and veggies. It’s a simple, delicious, and healthy combination that your guests will love.

You’ll need 16 ounces of cheese that include cheddar, blue cheese, mozzarella, and goat cheese. Then, you have a tomato, quarter a cup of capers, 8 ounces of roasted red peppers, and 4 ounces of arugula or lettuce.

You can play with the recipe and change the ingredients according to your personal preference. However, it’s hard to match the taste of the original mix!

4. Elegant Cheese & Fruits Platter

If you’re opting for a summer platter, this recipe is your go-to option. With the variety of fruits in it, your guest will stay refreshed. You can pair it with a cup of orange juice for a perfect meal.

The recipe includes apples, pears, strawberries, green and red grapes, as well as dried apricots, cherries, and cranberries.

For the choice of cheese, you have cheddar, blue cheese, and brie. The three types go perfectly well with the sweet fruity flavor.

5. Low-Carb Cheese Platter

Cheese can be questionable when you’re on a diet. Fear not, this low-carb cheese platter won’t go against what the doctor ordered. The low content of carb means your friend, who’s on a diet, can comfortably eat it!

The creator of this recipe went for low-carb cheese that may be hard to find around your house. As an alternative, you can look for the cheese with the lowest carb content available to buy.

He added other low-carb snacks: smoked salmon, pepperoni, cucumbers, avocados, olives, a mix of berries, and a hard-boiled egg. It’s an interesting mix, indeed, and it’ll appeal to your guests.

6. Kid-Friendly Cheese Platter Recipe

If you’re inviting your kid’s friends over, this platter would be an ideal serving choice. It’s both healthy and enjoyable!

In this recipe, the aim is to make the platter look inviting enough for the kids. In the middle of a large tray, add a small bowl of nuts containing raisins, almonds, and dried blackberries. All these snacks will attract kids.

You’ll add another bowl that contains some dried apricots, which is eye-catching, and it may get the kids curious to taste it.

You can then playfully stack a line of crackers between both bowls, then mix and match the remaining spaces with grapes, sun-dried tomatoes, along with cheese like cheddar, soft cheese, and cream cheese for dipping.

7. Cinnamon Cheese Platter Recipe

If you’re hosting a classy gathering, your guests will love this minimalistic cinnamon cheese platter.

It doesn’t require many ingredients; you’ll only need half a cup of walnuts, five cinnamon sticks, 16 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, and two sliced apples.

The apple’s taste goes perfectly well with cinnamon’s spicy flavor, and the cheesy flavor will be the cherry on top of the cake.

8. Mexican-Italian Cheese Platter Recipe

What about a Mexican-Italian cheese platter combo? This taco-cheese board is an intersection of cultures; it’s an eccentric mix-and-match that your taste buds will love you for!

Aside from the tortillas and tortilla chips, you’ll need some jalapeno flavored cream cheese, some cheddar, chicken breast grilled strips, peanuts, and colorful mini sweet peppers. The ingredients don’t look as if they belong together, but once you taste them, you’ll wonder how you didn’t think of them before!

Wrap Up

An Italian cheese platter is an excellent addition to a party or a small get-together. If you’re stuck on a minute’s notice, putting together an Italian cheese platter is as easy as rummaging through what cheese, cured meats, fruits, and veggies are in your fridge. It takes as long as ten minutes only!

Show off your newly-found Italian culture to your friends, and impress them with your cooking skills!

10 Christmas Dessert Platter Ideas – Unleash Your Inner Santa!

Set The Table

You’ve got to admit, your two favorite things about Christmas are the food and the gifts. That’s aside from the holiday spirits, of course! While waiting for the gifts to wrap, your kids or friends could use a full-blown Christmas dessert platter. It’s fun, tasty, and it’ll gather the group easily!

Here are some Christmas dessert platter ideas that you can do for the upcoming holiday.

A Summary of the Christmas Dessert Platters

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a shortlist of the dessert platters I’ll show you:

Watermelon Snowman Platter
Chocolate Mix Platter
Christmas Dip Platter
Christmas Cookies’ Platter
Christmas-themed Candy Platter
Easy Christmas Dessert Platter
Cookies and Cocoa Dessert Platter
Truffles Christmas Platter

10 Dessert Platters for the Upcoming Christmas Holiday

These Christmas platters are easy to make, beautiful, and, more importantly, delicious! Whether you’re making them for your family, friends, or workmates, I’m sure they’ll be impressed.

Watermelon Snowman Platter

If you’re spending your Christmas somewhere where it’s still summer, you’ll love this healthy dessert platter. Not everyone has a sweet tooth; that’s when fruity desserts come in handy!

The recipe is pretty easy, too; all you’ll need is one large seedless watermelon and two smaller ones for the head and torso. The largest melon typically goes for the lower body part. You can stuff the watermelons with whatever you want.

Here, they’re full of small melon scoops and blueberries. However, you can throw in some candy, too, if you want to. Additionally, you can provide some ice, so the fruit stays fresh.

Chocolate Mix Platter

If you’re in the mood for some chocolate, it’s time to put it into action and create a tasty platter. You can choose different types of luxury dark chocolate and pair it with some extra ingredients. You can use blueberries, strawberries, cheese, or nuts.

There are plenty of things that go well with chocolate. Not to mention that you can make a variety of dark, milk, and white chocolate. Moreover, you can provide some dips and ice cream along with the platter. Your guests will love it!

Christmas Dip Platter

Dip platters are one of the best ways to get creative and put yourself to work. You can make plenty of dips, such as peanut butter, cookie dough, or gingerbread. You can also include a chocolate dip for the tradition.

You can choose whatever you want to accompany the dips. Chocolate chips, candies, and candy canes will work. And of course, there’s always the fruits that go well with desserts, such as bananas, strawberries, and blueberries.

As I said, it’s an excellent way to get creative. You can mix and match according to your personal preference.

Christmas Cookies’ Platter

If you love cookies, but you’re not a skilled decorator, this cookie platter is your go-to option. It’s pretty easy to make, and the final result will be impressive. You don’t need a lot of ingredients, only some essential cookie components. Plus, you can change the colors as you like by changing the paste you’re using.

If you want, you can add some candy canes to the sides of the platter for an extra Christmas touch. You can also make a lot of shapes of Christmas cookies to use on the platter.

Christmas-themed Candy Platter

If you want to stick to the Christmas colors, this candy platter will look amazing on your table. It’s styled with green, red, and white colors, and it’s full of Christmas candy.

The recipe shows you what to do step-by-step. There are a lot of ingredients, but they’re all easy to get from any nearby supermarket. They include crunchy toffees, marshmallows, candy canes, and cookies.

You can customize the platter as you like. For example, you can fill the blank spaces with gummy bears or M&Ms. The platter is pretty flexible, which makes your mission easier.

Easy Christmas Dessert Platter

If you don’t have enough time to make a lot of desserts yourself, you can opt for this easy-to-do platter. It’s mostly made of store-bought candy and some cookies of your choice, which you can buy too.

The ingredients include cookies, fresh berries, banoffee pies, and marshmallows. You can replace any of the components as per your liking. However, the recipe’s mix will be delicious when eaten together! And you can always accompany it with a couple of fruit juice glasses.

Cookies and Cocoa Christmas Platter

This cookie and cocoa platter is ideal for people who want to think out of the box. If you’re having a small night gathering with a couple of your friends, you’ll love it. It’s pretty simple, consisting only of cookies, marshmallows, and hot cocoa cups.

You can choose your own assortment of cookies for the platter, but try to stick to the color scheme. That way, the platter will look nice enough to post on Instagram!

If you don’t want to make the cookies yourself, you can always opt for store-bought ones. That’ll only leave the hot cocoa for you to make.

Truffles Christmas Platter

You can never lose with truffles. They’re tasty, small, and easy to make. Plus, they look pretty good! Can you imagine a Christmas platter full of truffles? I’d totally buy that!

These truffles are only made of two ingredients, which means they won’t take much time to make. Additionally, you’ll be able to decorate them however you want.

If you don’t want to make an all-truffles platter, you can always throw in some truffles to a fruit or a chocolate platter. They’re a pretty versatile dessert that has many uses.

Final Thoughts

After writing this, I’m tempted to go make a couple of platters myself! I hope you found one or two platters you can make for the holiday. As you’ve seen, some options require minimal efforts and skills. Your guests will appreciate the gesture, and they’ll keep themselves busy until the gift show.

Let’s hope Christmas comes fast, so we can try these delicious dessert boards!

French Cheese Platter Ideas

Set The Table

Maybe it’s just my cheese obsession talking, but something about cheese makes me melt. It’s hard to resist all those (cheesy) puns, but I promise to try. Whether you enjoy your cheese as an appetizer or before dessert like the French, a colorful Plateau de Fromages is a perfect choice.

A French cheese platter remains a classic yet impressive eat. It’s ideal for a fancy party or a simple gathering. Plus, its utter simplicity allows for massive creativity. Here are some French cheese platter ideas for a brie-lliant platter. Oops!

Planning the Perfect Platter

If your goal is a mouthwatering French cheese platter, the steps are easy. Have I mentioned there’s no cooking involved? You’ll need a minimum of 3 cheese types and some accompaniments for both complementary and contrasting flavors.

That said, nothing goes better with cheese than something sweet to add contrast and color to your platter. Some fruits or jam will delightfully do the job. Next, add some meats for a salty taste. A few nuts around the board can also elevate the flavors. Finally, add sliced bread – baguette being the most classic option.

All that’s left now is to arrange your different ingredients on the board for an eye-pleasing nosh. Start by placing the cheese, then branch out the other components of your platter randomly to get that ‘je ne sais quoi’ appearance. Let’s get into more details of each step.

Elements of an Exemplary Cheese Platter

Let’s explore the required ingredients and the possible varieties that make up the perfect French cheese platter.

Cheese Selections

Choose 3 to 5 kinds of cheese of different textures and flavors. Mix up some basics and supplementaries to suit the different tastes.

Some Popular Examples

Soft cheese: Brie, Munster, Camembert
Hard cheese: Cantal, Gruyère, Comté
Blue cheese: Roquefort, Bleu d’Auvergne
Goat cheese: Crottin de Chavignol, Valençay, Tomme de Chèvre

I suggest that you start with a more soft-flavored cheese and work your way up to the strongest. Try to avoid pre-sliced cheese and slice your cheese at home for a fresher looking platter. Also, try to include cheeses of different types of milk, like cows, sheep, or goats, to cover the varying palates.

Ideally, you can opt for one soft cheese like Camembert, one hard cheese like Comté, and one blue cheese like Roquefort. You can’t go wrong with the king of blue cheese! You can also substitute the blue cheese with goat cheese or maybe have both for a richer platter. Who’d say no to more cheese anyway?

Adding a Little Sugar

Fruits such as berries, grapes, pomegranates, or sliced apples not only do they add a buzz of color to your platter but also enhance the flavors of the cheese. A great alternative to fresh fruits is a small bowl or two of jam. There are no limits to the possible varieties like a traditional fig jam or a more novel orange and pear jam.

Bread Varieties

The variety of textures offers a sensory experience. Bread has a big part in that whether crispy, crunchy, or crumbly. For a full French experience, you can’t miss out on the famous baguettes. However, if that’s not accessible, sourdough bread and multigrain bread are delicious alternatives. Or you can simply make your bread at home.

Slice your chosen bread into thick slices to be ready for layout. One or two types of bread are enough. You can even include crackers, but that’s not a very French substitute.

More Accompaniments

You can get more artistic with your choices here. Adding something savory like olives, pickles, or French cornichons can be the perfect complement to your choice of fruits or jam.

Since we’ve already covered the sweet and the savory, only the salty taste is missing. Cured meats are the go-to option for the task. You can add slices of salami or prosciutto as your salty component.

Another ideal addition is nuts. Throwing some almonds, cashews, or unshelled pistachios can radically elevate the flavors of your cheese platter.

Display and Arrangement

First, choose the cheese platter or board. A wooden board is the most classic choice, but glass and marble trays are also marvelous options. Pay attention to the size and dimensions of the platter. It should be large enough to hold all of your picks.

Next, present your cheeses in a variety of ways such as cubes, wedges, or slices. The star of the platter should be the cheese. So spread the pieces out on your tray in an uncoordinated fashion to give it a fresh artful look.

Assemble the meats into piles and place them around the platter. Then add the bread around the cheese and meats. Now, add the fresh fruits or jam bowls to fill any spaces left.

Finally, throw in the nuts. Seasonal herbs like rosemary are a pleasant (optional) garnish for more aromas in your platter.

Remember that arrangement and presentation are keys to an appetizing cheese platter. So put your creative cap on and have fun mixing the different shapes, sizes, and textures.

Extra Tips and Tricks

Set out different knives for each cheese.
Let the cheese sit for about 20 to 30 minutes before serving. The taste and texture of cheese are best at room temperature.
Leave no empty spaces on your tray. The ingredients should be covering the board completely.
Avoid pre-sliced cheese. Slicing the pieces yourself allows you to have more control over the shapes of the cheeses and the overall look of your platter.
Don’t place the different cheeses in one place or allow them to touch.
It’s also helpful if you label each cheese to make selection easier for your guests.

Final Words

A French cheese platter typically comprises three to five types of cheeses with flavorful accompaniments. This easy appetizer or nosh requires no cooking and is fun to make.

You don’t need a special occasion to make a French cheese platter. Your love for cheese is more than enough reason, but it also makes an ideal complement to a dinner party. Remember to get creative with your presentation. The ideas are limitless, so you can readily mix and match the ones covered here to make a platter that’s cheesy on the eyes!

The 4 Best Types of Chopsticks

Set The Table

Chopsticks originate from four countries: China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. There’s a different design for each country based on its culture and traditional dishes.

With so many choices on the market, it can be hard figuring out which one best suits your needs. In our article, we’ll talk about the different types of chopsticks and how to pick the right one for you.

Different Types of Chopsticks

Chopsticks are a symbol of Asian culture and cuisine. More than that, they signify a way of life for many Asians.

You may be surprised that chopsticks come in a variety of styles and designs. It’s the cultural differences of each country that set them apart and make them unique.

Today, we’ll be discussing the different types of chopsticks. We’ll also talk about which countries they belong to. It’s fascinating to learn about their features and how they pay tribute to different cultures, as well as the various assortment of food typically found in each area.

Let’s dive in and navigate the intriguing and exotic world of chopsticks.

The 4 Best Types of Chopsticks

We scoured the net for the different types of chopsticks. After choosing several and trying them out, we were finally able to narrow down our choices to just four. These made it on our list based on their functionality, appearance, and durability.

Read our product reviews to find out which ones made it on our ‘top 4’ list.

1. Goldage Fiberglass Chopsticks: Best Fiberglass

These fiberglass chopsticks from Goldage are the perfect fusion of durability and elegance. They come in a set of 5 pairs in an exquisite black design that features no lacquer coating or paint.

Each chopstick is almost 9.5 inches long and lightweight for maximum comfort. The Goldage chopsticks have round, blunt tips and square bodies for added balance. The tips are textured to provide a better grip on food.

One feature that caught our eye is how these Goldage chopsticks can resist temperatures as high as 365℉. They’re guaranteed not to melt or crack. They’re also easy to maintain and can be safely placed in the dishwasher.

Pros

Resistant to high temperatures
Aren’t covered with lacquer or paint
Textured tips offer a better grip
Dishwasher safe

Cons

Handles are smooth and slippery

2. Totally Bamboo Twist Chopstick Set: Best Bamboo

The Totally Bamboo Twist Chopsticks are among the most eco-friendly options available. They’re made from hand-twisted bamboo and coated with a food-safe lacquer varnish layer for added protection.

This set of five bamboo chopsticks are sturdy, functional, and easy to use. Plus, they’re a little less than 10 inches long and feature a twist detail to provide a better grip.

When cleaning, it’s recommended that you hand wash them to protect the integrity of the bamboo. Avoid running them through the dishwasher. It may ruin the protective layering and untwist the bamboo, making it difficult to use.

Pros

Made from eco-friendly bamboo
Hand-twisted design for a firmer grip
Longer than other types
Low-maintenance

Cons

Not dishwasher safe
Lacquer coating tends to give off a chemical smell

3. Hiware Stainless Steel Chopstick Set: Best Metal

Hiware Stainless Steel Chopsticks come in a stylish and contemporary set of 12. Made of food-grade 18/8 stainless steel metal, they measure nine inches each.

One of their best features is their spiral thread design. These spirals prevent the chopsticks from slipping between your fingers. They also make it easier to grip and balance your food.

An impressive feature design is that the Hiware chopsticks are hollow. This feature helps lower their ability to transfer heat. They’re also low-maintenance and dishwasher safe.

Pros

Act as heat insulators
Spiral-thread design boosts functionality
Sturdy metal build
Dishwasher safe

Cons

Tapered ends are too smooth for gripping food
The surface can be easily scratched

4. HuaLan Natural Wood Chopstick Set: Best Wooden

The HuaLan Natural Wood Chopsticks are made from natural wood. They’re given a top layer of shiny food-grade lacquer that gives them a nice, sleek look to complement every meal.

They come five to a set, with each chopstick measuring less than nine inches. Each pair of HuaLan chopsticks has a textured surface to provide control and ease of use.

One impressive feature is that each of the five pairs of chopsticks is crafted from a different type of wood. These natural woods are Cherrywood, Chestnut wood, Boxwood, Ebony wood, and Rosewood.

Pros

Made from sustainable and hygienic materials
Non-slip design
Low conductors of heat
Each pair is made from a different type of natural wood

Cons

The varnish top layer may make chopsticks slippery and difficult to use
Can’t be placed in the dishwasher

The Origin of Chopsticks

The first chopsticks are believed to have been invented during the Shang Dynasty (1766 – 1122 BC). They’re thought to have appeared around 1200 BC in the Chinese province of Henan. Interestingly, this is also where the first writing utensils were found.

By the 5th century, chopsticks had spread all over Asia, prominently in Vietnam and Japan.

How Chopsticks Became a Popular Utensil

In the beginning, people relied on twigs and sticks to stir and eat their food. The twigs became more refined and easier to use during the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD).

That’s when chopsticks became the main eating utensils in many homes around the country. As a result, new types of dishes were created that could be easily eaten with these handy tools.

Another reason why chopsticks became so widespread is largely thanks to Confucius. He thought knives and forks gave rise to images of slaughterhouses and violence.

This led to the general belief that chopsticks are superior and far more sensible than sharp objects.

Chopsticks and Cultural Differences

Chopsticks originated in China thousands of years ago. Later on, they spread to four main countries. Read ahead to find out what those four countries are and how each has developed its design to suit its culture.

In general, chopsticks are between 6 to 10 inches long.

Chinese Chopsticks

Chinese chopsticks have typically blunt edges in adherence to Confucius and his beliefs. They’re also longer with thicker ends.

Japanese Chopsticks

In Japan, chopsticks are customarily made of wood or bamboo. They’re usually thinner than those found in other countries.

Japanese chopsticks are also much shorter with pointed ends that are more tapered. Their thin points are better suited for eating long noodles, typically from deep, narrow bowls.

Korean Chopsticks

Korean chopsticks are short like Japanese chopsticks. The difference is that they’re mainly made of stainless steel and feature flat tips.

Since they’re made of metal, they tend to be more slippery and not comfortable to hold. This makes them a bit difficult to use, especially for beginners.

On the bright side, they’re easier to clean and more hygienic.

Vietnamese Chopsticks

Vietnamese chopsticks are long like those found in China, and they also have blunt edges. They’re commonly made of bamboo or various types of wood.

Chopstick Material

Chopsticks can be made from several materials. When chopsticks were first introduced, the lower class made theirs out of wood. Middle and upper citizens used finer materials, such as jade, ivory, and agate.

Natural Wood

Chopsticks made from natural wood are healthy and safe. They don’t contain any harmful materials. Plus, they aren’t as slippery as stainless steel or bamboo chopsticks. They’re durable and easy to use, which makes them suitable for use with a wide variety of foods.

Bamboo

Nowadays, the most common material is bamboo, which is renewable, antibacterial, and antifungal. Even though bamboo is mistaken for hardwood, it’s actually part of the true grass family known as Poaceae.

Bamboo has many benefits, mainly because it’s a renewable resource and eco-friendly. It also feels authentic and offers a firm grip in your hand.

The downside to bamboo is that it wears down faster than other materials. So it has to be replaced often.

Stainless Steel

Members of ancient Asian royal families used chopsticks made of pure silver. It was a sign of elegance and nobility. They also believed that silver would change color if it came in contact with any type of poison.

As the years went on, silver was replaced with stainless steel. It’s more practical and highly durable. Yet, the drawback is that it tends to be a bit slippery, especially for someone who’s not accustomed to using chopsticks.

Another drawback is that stainless steel is a conductor of heat. So you have to be careful when eating steaming-hot foods.

A fun fact: you rely on almost 50 muscles when you use chopsticks. That includes the muscles in your fingers, wrist, and even your shoulders!

Avoid Doing This With Chopsticks

As with other cultures around the world, there are certain things you should avoid doing with your chopsticks.

Don’t point at people.
Don’t stab the food to try to pick it up.
Don’t tap against the tableware.
Don’t stir your food.
Don’t pass food between people.

A Final Note

You now know the different types of chopsticks available. So which one is your favorite?

Knowing how to identify the right pair of chopsticks to choose will make you a chopstick ninja. You can impress your friends and family with your expertise, whether at home or in an Asian restaurant.

Not only will that, but your mastery of chopsticks come in handy when you’re lucky enough to visit Asia. Only then will you be able to enjoy an authentic food experience in an actual Asian country.