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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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BMW6 · 16/12/2023 13:26

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!!!!!

I'm not fussed by it at all and if I was told I'd never eat any again I'd shrug.

But cheese...........😍

sprigatito · 16/12/2023 13:26

If "cheese" to you means a big block of yellow mousetrap, then of course you won't understand the appeal! I don't think I'd tried anything beyond cheddar, edam and red Leicester before I left home, but one of my university friends was a massive cheese snob and by the time I left uni I was an addict. Boxing Day almost rivals Christmas Day for me...because it's all about cheese 😊

PaulaPocket · 16/12/2023 13:27

TheDogIsInCharge · 16/12/2023 13:19

When I first met my husband he was a total cheese philistine. Early on I was buying cheese in a huge French supermarket with the most glorious cheese selection and counter and what did he pick? A fucking pack of sliced edam. I almost left the bastard right there.

My parents live in France and a cheeseboard is essential after every lunch, no matter how full you might be. Even the primary school in the village has a cheese course (they post their daily menu at the gate so all the parents can discuss it with much gesturing and discourse).

God I love cheese. Aldi currently has a brie with truffle which is heaven on a nice cracker.

I'd have left him on the spot. I remember going in a Prisunic in Nice (before they became Monoprix) and a lady would cut you a slice of what you wanted off a cheese. Lovely pale brown Comté totally unlike anything you can get in England.

Prisu - Prisu- Prisunic! over the loudspeakers.

PermanentTemporary · 16/12/2023 13:27

I don't have a very sensitive palate, and I wonder if that's why I love cheese so much? I like strong cheeses, blue cheeses, very ripe soft cheese, bland soft cheeses for the texture, any kind. And I love all the accompaniments, crackers, chutney, grapes, bread, mmmmm. I love the variety, the smell, the feel.

I also love pretty much all fruit including eating cooking apples raw, and I like big deep wines with a range of flavours like Chardonnay, Chablis, Barolo.

But I also like cakes! I do prefer stronger tasting cakes like bara brith or fruit cake these days to a cupcake, though a fresh Victoria is fine with me too.

It was a huge step forward on our relationship when dp and I went for a weekend away, found a nice place for lunch and admitted to each other we really just wanted a cheeseboard and a glass of wine each. Glorious day.

fluffiphlox · 16/12/2023 13:29

One of the most shocking posts I’ve read on here. I might have to report.

Blinkityblonk · 16/12/2023 13:29

I'm not fussed about 99% of desserts these days. I don't drink alcohol. I do love cheese though. Wensleydale, Gromit!

PermanentTemporary · 16/12/2023 13:29

This thread has REALLY piqued my appetite for the Christmas cheese shopping trip. RIP the Grumpy Goat cheese shop in Reading Sad

OneTC · 16/12/2023 13:29

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.

Coffee
Meat

VickyEadieofThigh · 16/12/2023 13:31

I just had some cheese (I'm afraid 3 hours ahead of UK time) but this has made me want more cheese.

Ladyj84 · 16/12/2023 13:31

Soooooo cheesy 😂 but our family loves cheese even the little ones. Half of them like the fruity ones which I can't stand lol

Mapletreelane · 16/12/2023 13:32

To be honest it's the best part of Christmas. Sod the magic of Christmas for the kids, seeing family and friends, big Christmas Dinner.......best part is the license to just eat loads of cheese (cambazola, brie, Colston Bassett Stilton), washed down by a fine port!

MummyInTheNecropolis · 16/12/2023 13:33

YABVVVVVVVU

Cant actually believe mumsnet are letting this thread stand, I’ve never been so offended in my life. 🧀

JustWhatWeDontNeed · 16/12/2023 13:33

Perfectlystill · 16/12/2023 13:19

Ok if you're in your 30s that may explain it.

If you want to get the appeal then go to a deli and buy one or two expensive pieces of different cheese - ask them for recommendations.

Ideally, go to a cheese and wine pairing class. God that is my dream night.

What does being in your 30s explain?

I'm in my 30s and definitely love cheese.

Choccyp1g · 16/12/2023 13:34

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!

You missed out cheese with apple pie!

Possimpible · 16/12/2023 13:35

I love cheese, but I actually see where OP is coming from - there is a certain level of pretention in cheeseboards, wine tasting, being a coffee snob etc. That's not to say I don't enjoy these things, but sometimes I feel people go OTT to show how cultured they are

BreatheAndFocus · 16/12/2023 13:36

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.

Perhaps you’ve just met the wrong cheeses? There are lots of not too strong cheeses around, some of which have a slightly sweet, nutty taste. No strong taste, no strong smell. The nuttiness is really delicious.

I like a cheeseboard as it’s an opportunity to buy more unusual cheeses and also open a special wine.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 16/12/2023 13:38

It is a little bit of a silly question. People enthuse about lots of foods that are popular with most people, but which others don't like.

Cheese probably has so many aficionados because, as well as being delicious, it comes in so many interesting and contrasting varieties and has regional and national heritage.

I don’t really understand the appeal of eating big pieces of cheese and I can’t stand brie or blue cheese.

Surely the whole point of a cheeseboard is that you don't just 'eat a big piece of cheese'. You can sample bits of lots of different ones. If you can't stand some cheeses and are unfussed by the others, then why on earth would you expect to appreciate why others like it?!

balkanscot · 16/12/2023 13:38

I can’t stand it for the sheer fact that most cheeseboards include goat’s cheese. Just a whiff of it in the air makes me gag. 🤢🤮And it’s usually disguised by an actual name of the cheese but doesn’t state it is made with goat’s milk (see also sheep’s cheese/milk). At least I know to avoid manchego but as for the rest…

mumda · 16/12/2023 13:38

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. Dark chocolate.
Crisps.
Veganism.

penjil · 16/12/2023 13:39

Contraryjane · 16/12/2023 12:37

more cheese

This. 💖💖💖💖

TheCatfordCat · 16/12/2023 13:39

My dad s a cheese enthusiast. Any sort, he'll eat it. As a child we went on a caravan holiday in France and he found the smelliest cheese in the country. When he opened it the rest of us cleared out of the van.

Meanwhile, I am a true phillstine. I get where OP is coming from. I generally do not like rind or blue cheese. I do not like brie. So, most French cheese is out. I do like Dutch cheese (not just Gouda, the market in Amsterdam sells too notch hard cheese from Friesland and beyond) and Italian cheese. I only like hard English cheese. I hate stilton with a passion. I like Emmenthal. But that's about it

Cheese is for topping pasta, for putting in sandwiches, for making Mac n cheese, for adding to mash potatoes, to wrap around my cat's medicine. It's not a food to worship, rather to enhance the flavour of other foods. I will not be moved on this.

fingerguns · 16/12/2023 13:40

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!)

Totally agree with this. There is so much variety, with textures, tastes, smell, strength, temperature and more. I adore a cheeseboard.

I can't think of many other things that are so varied, other than wine and beer.

LatteLady · 16/12/2023 13:42

This morning I made cranberry, bacon and Brie sausage rolls and Boursin, mushroom and shallot pinwheels... but I might have a slice of Brie on the side!

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 16/12/2023 13:42

DS1 doesn't like cheese.
I'm considering disowning him 🤣

Squirrelblanket · 16/12/2023 13:43

You're a big believer in each to their own but you've started a thread asking why people like something you don't like? Ok hun. 🤔