Your Guide to Building an Fx-Approved Cheese Board
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
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Your Guide to Building an Fx-Approved Cheese Board
One of the many things I love about shopping at Heinen’s is that no matter which department I’m in, I can count on finding at least a few Club Fx-Approved products that fit my eating style. The Specialty Cheese department is no exception!
In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite Fx-Approved cheese picks, from cow’s milk and sheep’s milk cheeses to a couple of plant-based options if you are feeling a little adventurous. And because I know how important the right accompaniments are to a social media-worthy charcuterie board, I’m including some delicious options that pair beautifully with these cheeses—or any of your favorites!
Buffalo Milk Cheese
BUF cheeses come from the milk of pasture-raised buffalo from the foot of the Andes Mountains, where they graze on the native grass.
- BUF Burrata di Bufala: Mozzarella hand-stretched into a pocket filled with stracciatella (shredded mozzarella mixed with cream), hand-tied with a knot.
Cow’s Milk Cheese
A variety of USDA Organic grass-fed cow’s milk cheeses to please all palates.
- Heinen’s Hand-Selected Grass-Fed A2 Organic Cheeses: A2 protein is a type of casein protein from the milk of heritage breed cows that is easier to digest than traditional A1 protein in typical dairy products. And of course, the fact that the cows have also been raised on pasture and fed a diet of grass means these cheeses contain essential omega-3 fats. Available in Smoked Cheddar, Havarti, and Gouda.
- British Organic Dairy Co. Cheddar: From the birthplace of cheddar, British Organic Dairy Co. has a rich heritage of organic farming and artisanal cheese-making. For over 30 years, they have been, and still are, 100% owned by their farmers. Varieties include Sharp, Extra Sharp, and Reserve (extra aged).
Goat’s Milk Cheese
For dairy-sensitive people, goat’s milk contains primarily A2 protein and therefore has a gentler allergy profile compared to cow’s milk.
- Mackenzie Creamery Cheeses: A goat cheese like no other, Mackenzie Creamery cheeses have some serious, well-deserved bragging rights! Not only have they won awards at the American Cheese Society Competition, but also the American Dairy Goat Association, and even The World Cheese Championship! Not to mention the hearts it won from countless adoring fans across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Try one of Mackenzie Creamery Cheeses for yourself and taste the difference. Available in Plain; Apricot Ginger; Cognac Fig; Herbs de Provence; Honey; Pumpkin; Sour Cherry; Sweet Fire (spicy!).
- Beemster Gouda Goat: A great introduction to goat cheese—even people who think they don’t like goat cheese fall in love with this cheese! A pale ivory interior and smooth, semi-firm texture deliver a refreshing, sweet, flavorful experience.
Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Sheep’s milk cheese is rich in A2 protein, just like goat cheese!
- 12 Month Raw Manchego: A Spanish sheep’s milk cheese aged 12 months for a firm, dense texture.
- Mitica Wooly Wooly Soft Sheep’s Milk Cheese Log: A soft and spreadable fresh sheep’s milk cheese log from Jumilla, Spain. Prominently sweet with just a hint of tang.
Plant-Based Vegan Cheeses
The flavor and texture of plant-based cheese is so close to true dairy cheese, you’ll swear you’re eating the real thing. And vegans aren’t the only people enjoying plant-based cheese these days; those with dairy sensitivities and those looking to eat fewer animal products are incorporating them into their daily diets, too!
- Nuts for Cheese: Rich and creamy, made from organic cashews, fermented with house-made cultures and aged to perfection, Nuts for Cheese will quickly become your new favorite plant-based cheese. Available in Black Garlic, Un-Brie-Lievable (a plant-based take on brie), Smoky Gouda, and Super Blue.
- Treeline Goat-Style Cashew Cheese: If you like the earthy, buttery, and tart flavor of traditional goat cheese, you will love Treeline Dairy-Free Goat Style Cheese. This fermented plant-based cheese contains live active cultures of friendly bacteria, just like yogurt! And with only 90 mg of sodium per serving, Treeline is a great choice for those following a low-sodium diet. Available in Original or Garlic Basil.
Accompaniments
No cheese board is complete without a variety of accoutrements to complement your selections! Here are a few Club Fx-Approved pairings to consider.
- Flouwer Artisanal Crackers– full of organically grown edible flowers and garden herbs, this colorful cracker will beautify your charcuterie tray and wow your guests like no other!
- Top Seedz Crackers– this omega-3-rich seed cracker is a healthy and delicious blend of sesame, sunflower, flax, pumpkin, chia, and hemp seeds. It easily wins the trophy for the most nutrient-dense cracker you can find.
- Red Grapes
- Fresh Strawberries
- Heinen’s Pitted Medjool Dates stuffed with plant-based or goat cheese
- Wake Robin Curry Cauliflower or Carrot Escabeche Fermented Vegetables
- Living Intentions Rosemary Garlic Nut Clusters
- Pan’s Mushroom Jerky– made of shiitake mushrooms, this jerky provides a delicious umami taste and satisfying texture that herbivores crave and carnivores love.
- Savannah Bee Mini Honeycomb– raw Honeycomb is honey in one of its most natural forms, exactly as the bees made it! Filled with light, sweet honey and subtle hints of vanilla, the entire honeycomb is edible, so you get the full texture of the hive in every bite.
- smartBARK! Salted Almond Chocolate Bark– a USDA Organic, 70% dark chocolate to complete your cheese board! Two added bonuses: it’s low in added sugar and locally made!
Key Takeaway
Heinen’s Specialty Cheese department makes it easy to build a delicious, Club Fx-Approved cheese board with something for everyone! Pair your favorite cheeses from this list with fresh and dried fruit, nutrient-dense crackers, nuts, fermented vegetables, and a touch of sweetness for a beautiful board your guests won’t soon forget.
