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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not understand the appeal of a cheeseboard?

231 replies

ClaraThePigeon · 16/12/2023 12:35

I like some cheeses, cheddar, feta, mozzarella, halloumi and emmental for example but usually melted or as part of a dish. I don’t really understand the appeal of eating big pieces of cheese and I can’t stand brie or blue cheese.

Yet people positively go into raptures over cheese. It seems to be a positive obsession with some. A friend is incredulous at my relative indifference over cheese and wanted to give me an expensive cheeseboard so I could share her obsession but though incredibly kind of her it’d be wasted on me.

I’m a big believer in each to their own but I wonder what it is about cheese in particular that makes so many people positively evangelical about it?

OP posts:
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Mumofone2021 · 16/12/2023 12:52

I love cheese and would happily eat a cheeseboard every day. I absolutely hate sweet food and can’t bear cake/ice cream/chocolate. The different flavors of cheese are amazing and the stronger the better for me, especially paired with a nice Italian red wine. We’re all different, and for me cheese is my treat in the same way sweet food is for others

furtivetussling · 16/12/2023 12:52

ClaraThePigeon · 16/12/2023 12:43

I’m trying to think of other foods/drinks that so many people are this passionate about and I can’t think of that many beyond wine and beer/real ale.

Chocolate.

Chemenger · 16/12/2023 12:53

Blue cheese and some strong ripe cheese is an acquired taste, I think, like olives and whisky, but so worth acquiring for the enjoyment of eating them.

whatisforteamum · 16/12/2023 12:53

If in doubt.... cheese

KinS24 · 16/12/2023 12:54

OP you like bland cheese so you don’t get it.
It’s like when people say chocolate is OK but don’t like dark chocolate. They just like the general fatty sweetness not the actual flavour of bitter rich chocolate.
Blue cheese and dark chocolate for me. It’s olives I don’t get!

Original poster
ClaraThePigeon · 16/12/2023 12:54

I do like some cheeses but I can’t imagine wanting to eat big pieces of strong cheese either though. If it smells like death/ammonia I’m not putting it anywhere near my mouth.

Good point about having similar flavour profiles to wine though.

OP posts:
Perfectlystill · 16/12/2023 12:54

God I love cheese.

Are you young OP? You may develop a taste for it as you age.

Thementalloadisreal · 16/12/2023 12:55

YABU! I’m vegan and I still insist on a decent cheeseboard!! 😂

foulksmills · 16/12/2023 12:55

Coffee is another one.

Original poster
ClaraThePigeon · 16/12/2023 12:55

I think that turophiles have even the chocoholics beat in terms of how passionate they are.

OP posts:
Original poster
ClaraThePigeon · 16/12/2023 12:58

Are you young OP? You may develop a taste for it as you age.

I wish. I’m in my late 30s but you’re right it is possible that it may have increasing appeal now that I’m verging on middle age.

OP posts:
LakeTiticaca · 16/12/2023 12:58

CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE

Psychoticbreak · 16/12/2023 13:00

Cheese is the food of the gods.

electriclight · 16/12/2023 13:01

I have lots of friends who froth at the mouth at the thought of expensive chocolates, afternoon tea with millions of cakes, artisan breads or syrupy flavoured coffees. I don't see how enjoying a range of cheese is much different really.

WeightoftheWorld · 16/12/2023 13:02

Tbh I like milder cheeses generally but even then there are sooooo many different types of 'mild' tasting cheese that I still enjoy loads of cheese! Love a cheeseboard. I'm also always happy to try whatever. But honestly I love most food and drink!

jackstini · 16/12/2023 13:02

It's what you put it with though - not just big chunks of cheese - there are usually crackers, bread, grapes etc

So dipping fresh baguette into a baked Camembert
Parmesan on fresh pasta
Blue cheese on a wheat cracker
Strong cheddar or Red Leicester with a bit of onion
Brie & grapes
Feta & olives
Wensleydale & pickle

I really want cheese now!

DeedlessIndeed · 16/12/2023 13:02

Fine cheese can be compared to fine wine.

It has a very artisan end to the market but also a very accessible one, so it can appeal to a broad range of people.

It also has so much variety and depth. You could have a different cheese each day for a lifetime!

Also, fatty, salty and cultured/aged - it is one of those golden combinations of food attributes that makes it irresistible (to some!)

jackstini · 16/12/2023 13:02

Oh - and the wine. It goes down well with wine!!!

Original poster
ClaraThePigeon · 16/12/2023 13:03

Thanks DeedlessIndeed. That’s one of the best and most helpful explanations that I’ve read.

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 16/12/2023 13:04

I don't like coffee, or meat, which also have similar fanbases and industries built around them.

Love cheese though.

JustWhatWeDontNeed · 16/12/2023 13:05

I love cheese therefore I like a cheese board.

I hate wine - especially with food. I'd never go on a wine tasting.

I'm vegetarian so wouldn't go wild for a charcuterie board.

Cheese is popular like wine is popular 🤷‍♀️ it doesn't mean everybody does or should like both.

I can't imagine not liking pizza or pasta, yet some people hate it.

Goatymum · 16/12/2023 13:05

Cheese is life!

MissGroves · 16/12/2023 13:05

ClaraThePigeon · 16/12/2023 12:35

I like some cheeses, cheddar, feta, mozzarella, halloumi and emmental for example but usually melted or as part of a dish. I don’t really understand the appeal of eating big pieces of cheese and I can’t stand brie or blue cheese.

Yet people positively go into raptures over cheese. It seems to be a positive obsession with some. A friend is incredulous at my relative indifference over cheese and wanted to give me an expensive cheeseboard so I could share her obsession but though incredibly kind of her it’d be wasted on me.

I’m a big believer in each to their own but I wonder what it is about cheese in particular that makes so many people positively evangelical about it?

I'm with you, and the stench in the fridge when DH has blue cheese in there is just baaad! 🤢

OhYouBadBadKitten · 16/12/2023 13:05

YABSoSoU.

Its all about the cheese baby!

Guavafish1 · 16/12/2023 13:06

cheese glorious cheese