Families will throw away nearly 5MILLION lbs of cheese this Christmas as festive spreads become more elaborate
- Some 63% of Britons are planning on rolling out a festive cheeseboard this year
- Research from producers Arla predicts we’ll spend a cool £2 bn this Christmas
- The platters will be packed with around five or six different types of cheese
Britons will dispose of nearly 5 millions lbs of cheese this Christmas as festive cheeseboards take centre stage.
According to research from Borough Market, 63% of respondents are planning on dishing out a cheeseboard this Christmas.
Further research from one of Britain’s largest cheese producers, Arla, predicts that we will spend a huge £2 bn on cheese this festive season.
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The platters will be packed with around five different types of cheese as Britons get more elaborate, but 57% say they will throw much of it away.
Dominic Coyte of Borough CheeseCompany said buying tastier cheese means less waste, but there’s always some left over.
Cheesy storage tips
A massive 57% of respondents to Borough Market’s poll said they would be throwing away excess cheese, with 18% saying it’s because they weren’t sure what to do with it.
As well as that, 22% said they don’t know how well it keeps for in the fridge.
– Grating and freezing excess cheese makes it easy to store and prolongs its life
– Boxed soft cheese can also be baked to made into a dip
– As long as cheese is sealed well it should keep well in the fridge
– As opposed to using a tight cling film wrap, which gives the cheese a pungent sweat, try wrapping it in grease paper or storing in a Tupperware container
– If you are keeping cheese in the fridge, take it out a couple of hours before serving – it’s best at room temperature!
‘In my house I tend to end up with lots of small bits left, so I grate and freeze it.
‘Freezing can affect the texture, but it’s still good to use for cheese on toast or in sauces or gratins.
‘The remainders of a boxed soft cheese can also be baked in the oven with garlic, rosemary and white wine – day-old bread with a bit of bite is ideal for dipping in it,’ he told The Observer.
Not so cheese-savvy respondents admitted they weren’t sure what to do with vast leftovers, that on a normal day numbers 3.1 m slices daily.
Responding to the poll, 18% admitted to this while 22% said they weren’t sure how long cheese can keep in the fridge once the packet is opened.
Experts suggest that as long as cheese is kept sealed well in a cool, dry place it should keep well.
Speaking to Borough Market’s website, Sue Quinn – food writer and cookbook author – gave her expert advice on storing Christmas cheese.
She said: ‘Cheese should ideally be eaten as soon as possible after being cut. Not practical? Wrap your cheese in wax paper, as this allows it to breathe without drying out too quickly—ask your supplier for a few spare sheets. (Step away from the cling film when storing cheese: it leads to sweaty unpleasantness).
‘Give your wrapped cheese a lovely home in a sealed container in the fridge, but don’t forget to take it out a couple of hours before serving. Cheese is best enjoyed at room temperature; serving it cold is a crime.’
Giving her advice on a balanced cheeseboard, Susan said at least three cheeses is apt, but noted that enthusiasts like to go for four or five.
‘At least one big chunk each of a soft, a hard and a blue cheese is a good rule of thumb for a perfect balance of flavour and texture,’ she added.
British cheese platters will be packed with around five or six different types of cheese
Perfect wines to pair with your cheeses this Christmas
What’s a cheeseboard without wine? There is a wine for every cheese, and here are the matches made in heaven, courtesy of Vinepair.
PORT AND BLEU CHEESE
Port’s sweetness and thick body are the perfect foil for pungent, crumbly bleu cheese.
PROSECCO AND PARMESAN
The bubbles in Prosecco cut through the saltiness of this hard cheese. Plus, they’re both Italian!
SAUTERNES AND FONDUE
The richness of fondue is a match made in heaven for decadent dessert wine Sauternes.
Cheddar, the nation’s favourite cheese is the perfect accompaniment for Malbec
CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND AGED GOUDA
In order to stand up to the nutty flavors in aged gouda, you need a tannic, full bodied wine. Cabernet Sauvignon gets the job done.
MOZZARELLA AND PINOT GRIGIO
The acidity of Pinot Grigio tangos well with this soft, slightly sweet classic pizza cheese.
PINOT NOIR AND BRIE
Brie needs a wine that will go well with its distinct flavors while remaining light enough not to overwhelm them.
MALBEC AND AGED CHEDDAR
Chocolatey Malbec helps balance out the aggressive sharpness in aged cheddar.
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