Food - Drink
The Reason Cheese Tastes Better At Room Temperature
By REECE ARMSTRONG
A cheese platter is great for when you’re expecting guests, but there’s one essential rule to remember when serving most cheeses: don't serve it cold. Cheese’s flavor and texture are not at their best when cold, as the fat molecules containing the flavors constrict; however, these molecules expand and release it when at room temperature.
Also, our bodies are more perceptive to flavors when foods are served closer to our body temperature, so tempering the cheese allows us to perceive the full taste of the product. Bringing non-hard cheeses with some level of moisture to room temperature also gives it a creamier, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Most cheeses reliably reach room temperature in 20-30 minutes, while softer cheeses like Brie may need an hour or more. Prepare your cheese plate around 30 minutes to an hour before your guests arrive, and don’t remove individual wrappings from any of the cheeses while tempering, as this can dry out the cheese.