Top 5 Christmas Cheeses You Need This Festive Season

The Christmas season comes with many novel experiences - the sparkling lights, the cosy meetups, and the gifting bonanza. And in the centre of your Christmas spread? Cheese, of course! It's not only a crowd-pleaser, but your Christmas celebration hardly feels complete without a delightful platter of the best Christmas cheeses. Whether you're in the UK or ordering online from other parts of the world, here's a festive rundown of the top 5 cheeses you can't miss this Christmas.

What Makes a Cheese Festive?

What makes a cheese "festive”? The short answer: taste and texture. As holiday gatherings fall in cooler weather, lavish, rich and robust cheeses tend to fit snugly into the Christmas spread. Rather than the mild flavours of summer cheeses, think robust stiltons, creamy bries, and spicy cheddars that provide the warming effect we so crave.

To nail their festive badge, these cheeses also play with traditional holiday flavours. Imagine cheeses flavoured with nuts, cranberries, spices, or even blended with a hint of alcoholic beverages like port or brandy. Nothing screams 'holiday' more!

A festive cheese’s richness goes beyond taste, enveloping texture as well. Creamy, crumbly, or waxy cheeses draped in colourful wax or cloth, encased in a rind, or presented in a wooden box, add an element of luxury and celebratory vibe to the occasion. It's these unique qualities that earn a cheese its spot in the Christmas lineup.

Festive Flavoured Cheeses for the Holidays 

As the festive season approaches, it's not just a plate of ordinary cheese that we crave. Instead, we long for a selection of cheeses that capture the spirit of Christmas. This year's top festive flavoured cheeses offer a delightful blend of traditional Christmas ingredients and unique limited-edition treats. 

Christmas-Inspired Cheeses 

A holiday favourite - red-veined cheeses packed with plump, tart cranberries provide an irresistible tangy burst to perfectly complement the cheese's rich creaminess. 

Luxury Cheeses 

For those who prefer a more luxurious palate, truffle-infused cheeses are a supreme choice. The earthy aroma and intense flavour elevate any gourmet dish. 

Alcoholic Cheeses

If you're daring and want to break the mould, try cheeses with a hint of alcohol for a twist in flavour.

Whether you're a fan of tradition or searching for a unique twist, the range of festive flavoured cheeses this season surely won't disappoint!

Classic Christmas Cheeses in the UK

Craving some authentic Christmas vibes? Try out these top Christmas cheeses popular in the UK. 

Stilton

Also known as "the king of English cheeses" or "The English Parmesan", Stilton is rich, creamy and packed with a distinct, robust flavour. It's practically the definition of festive luxury.

Wensleydale with Cranberries

This cheese truly brings festivity in a wedge. Wensleydale with cranberries pairs the crumbly and milky goodness of Wensleydale with the tartness of cranberries, introducing a tangy zing to your cheese plate. 

Cheddar 

Can't still decide what cheese to pick? You can't go wrong with a mature Cheddar. It's a vintage cheese that brings a crumbly texture and a rich, nutty taste to the table. It's a true crowd-pleaser. 

Brie

Brie is creamy and silky soft, making it the epitome of luxurious indulgence to delight every cheese lover. To enhance the tasting experience, you might want to consider it slightly toasted. 

Red Leicester 

Red Leicester is a cheese with a festive orange hue and a mellow, nutty flavour. It adds a pop of colour and taste to your cheeseboard.

Each of these cheeses brings different textures and flavours to the table, ensuring there's something for everyone's taste. They hold pride in the UK's Christmas cheese tradition and are a sure way to impress your loved ones.

Pairing Festive Cheeses with Crackers, Fruits, and Wines

To elevate your festive cheese experience, consider the triad of cheese, crackers, and wines, with fruits as tantalising interludes. First, match the intensity of cheese and wines - a robust Stilton pairs beautifully with a bold, fruity Port. Lighter cheeses like Brie or Camembert can cosy up with a sparkling white. As for crackers, the goal is to complement, not compete. Opt for neutral, grainy ones that provide a pleasant contrast to the creaminess of the cheese.

Now, consider adding fruit. Apples and grapes inject a refreshing contrast, while dried fruits like cranberries tie into the festive spirit. Figs can add a touch of luxury while enhancing the natural sweetness of certain cheeses. Remember, no hard rules exist. Experimentation is part of the fun, so play around till you find your perfect pairings.

Where to Buy Festive Cheeses

If you're wondering where to snag these scrumptious festive cheeses, don't worry. The digital migration hasn't bypassed the cheese industry. High-quality festive cheeses are now just a click away. 

Chuckling Cheese's Christmas Selection

For those of us with discerning taste buds, Chuckling Cheese's Christmas selection is an excellent destination. They take pride in offering award-winning, premium UK selections. Even better, they ship internationally, so you can enjoy their full-flavoured, melt-in-mouth cheddar or creamy blue Stilton wherever you may be.

Their effervescent festive section is sure to tick all the right boxes for cheese enthusiasts, making Christmas cheese shopping as smooth as their brie. So sit back, with your cracker accompaniment at hand, and let the cheese come to you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the essence of your festive celebrations would be incomplete without the heavenly inclusion of cheese. They possess the charm to convert an ordinary holiday meal into a sumptuous feast of flavours. 

Our top five Christmas cheese picks, each with their unique taste profiles and textures, can turn your Christmas spread into a culinary work of art that's sure to impress your guests. So go ahead and make your festive season more cheerful and flavorful with these cheese varieties. After all, Christmas and cheese are both about joy, indulgence, and creating lasting memories. Here's hoping your celebrations reach a whole new level of cheesy, jolly deliciousness!