A Frightful Cheese Board

Halloween is just around the corner, and while it’s expected that you hand out sugar laden candy to tiny Trick-or-Treaters, you can save the real treats for the adults. If you’re hosting a party this holiday, or just spending a night in, arrange a sinfully delicious cheese board for you and your guests. You can compose an assortment of cheeses that highlight their more strange cheesey qualities, perfect for the season. Orange Rind Cheeses Nothing says, “Halloween” like the color orange. So, it only makes sense to start with an orange rind cheese. These cheeses are generally washed rind cheese. They’ve been bathed with salted water or various other wines and herbs that break down the cheese from the outside in. If you're looking for a delicious, stinky orange rind, Taleggio is right up your alley. Impress your ghoulish guests and chase a bite of Taleggio with some Cinnful Cocoa Pecans! Veiny Cheeses Blue cheese can’t help but look, well, veiny. But those delicious blue and green veins help make these cheeses characteristically sharp and pungent. Round out your creepy cheese board with the piquant Billy Blue from Carr Valley. The cheesemakers of Carr Valley, Wisconsin use old world craftsmanship to create award winning cheeses. Billy Blue is creamy and tangy, all you want out of a “veiny” blue cheese. Leafy Cheeses For autumn, few things are more festive than a cheese rolled in leaves. The wild Spanish blue Valdeon is wrapped up in Sycamore leaves and has flavors of dark berries and red wine. Try pairing it with Amarena Cherry Syrup & Chocolate Bacon for duo of sweet and earthy. Brainy Cheeses Lastly, for a truly sinister looking cheese, choose one with a brainy rind. Don't worry there's no actual brain matter involved. These cheeses are infused with the geotrichum bacteria that induces are creepy wrinkling of the rind that is reminiscent of a creation from Dr. Frankenstein’s lab. Langres is a distinctive choice for a wickedly brainy rind, but it’s center is dense and creamy. This French cheese has a signature concave top to hold a festive splash of champagne. Go ahead and stock up on candy for the kids, just don’t forget to treat yourself!