Consider the condiments, nuts, crackers and accessories that will elevate your cheese board into something special for your guests. Ideal hostess gifts too.
Escuminac Syrups
Italians like a drizzle of chestnut honey on Pecorino and Parmigiano. Try the bold flavour of Escuminac syrups on aged cheddar: Organic Yellow Birch Syrup, 50 ml, $13, or the delicate and balanced Organic Maple Syrup Extra Rare, 200 ml, $15. From Baie-des-Chaleurs in Gaspésie, Quebec, just three kilometres from the sea. The Escuminac website explores the molecular harmonies of the syrups, by top sommelier Francois Chartier. The Yellow Birch Syrup is at Careit Urban Deli and Maven & Grace. The Extra Rare Maple Syrup is at Bon Ton Bakery, Careit and Heart of the Home. Find more types of Escuminac syrups at the Italian Centres south and west.
Olive Branch Tapenades
These savoury tapenades made in Greece provide a punchy, flavourful note to your cheese board. They are all delicious; try the Florina Pepper and Chili Tapenade with milder cheeses and Kalamata Olive with Fig and Mint with Manchego, $8, at the Italian Centre Shops.
Alemany Nuts
These irresistible nuts from Catalonia are generous clusters of almonds and walnuts in honey or chocolate. So good on a cheese board or by themselves, $13. The dark chocolate-covered walnuts with honey are at Careit Urban Deli, Cavern, Italian Centre south and Sunterra. The caramelized almonds with honey are at Bon Ton, Careit, Italian Centre south and west, Maven & Grace and Sunterra Lendrum.
The Fine Cheese Co. Crackers
The Fine Cheese Co. makes all sort of terrific crackers suitable for cheese, from the large, crisp, all-butter Bath Ovals (Paddy’s), $9, to the Sea Salt and Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the Fig and Honey Cracker available at Careit, Cavern, Italian Centre south and Sunterra, $7. New this year is the Gluten free Water Cracker, made from maize flour, soya bran and tapioca and are wheat free, gluten free and dairy free. Toasty, thin and crunchy, stocked at Cavern, Freson Bros, Italian Centre south and Paddy’s, $7.
The Pea Green Boat Crackers
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
These delicious crumbly morsels come in fennel and chili, cumin, and original. All three flavours can be found at the Italian Centre south; fennel and chili at Careit; cumin and original at Careit and Maven & Grace, $10.
Toast Crackers
Toast Crackers come in several flavours. We are partial to the limited edition Festive Cracker with spiced fruit and pecans, $9. Find at Careit, Freson Bros and Italian Centre south.
Shortbread House Fingers
A delicious and authentic British shortbread in a handy two cookie package, $2.50 at Cavern and Freson Bros.
Baked with Love Gouda and Cheese Biscuits
Find these crunchy, cheesy crackers at Careit, Italian Centre south and Paddy’s, $4.
Buiteman’s Gouda Chive Biscuits
Who better to make a Gouda cracker than a Dutch company? These are made with 22 per cent, 18-month-old Gouda. Find at Careit, Freson’s Fort Sask, Italian Centre south and west and Paddy’s, $4.
Cheese Knives in Gold-finished Stainless Steel
Looking for a warmer colour palette for your cheese board? This set has four knives in a gold colour, suitable for soft, semi firm and hard cheeses. The book-style gift box makes for easy storage, $27 at Bella Casa.
Natural Living Alpine Cheese Set
This acacia wood board comes with a clever cheese ax, ideal for semi firm or aged cheeses. Excellent for two to three people, $30 at Bella Casa.
Natural Living Cheese Knives
Traditional stainless knives with wooden handles in a gift box. The solid pronged knife is for hard cheese and the perforated knife is for soft cheese, $20 at Bella Casa.
Serving Platters
Zocalo has several boards and platters to add to your collection—a small charcuterie or cheese board, $15, an extra-long board for dramatic effect, $32 and a round beech wood serving tray, $36.
Prices are approximate. We’ve done our best to track everything down, but not all items may be available in every shop.