I still remember the first time I stepped into a real cheese shop—far from the familiar wall of pre-packaged cheeses at the grocery store—and wow! The sheer variety of options, colors, and labels was almost overwhelming, not to mention the steady stream of customers who seemed to know exactly what they wanted.
But don’t worry! After a few visits—and with the help of this guide—you’ll be ordering with confidence in no time.
My biggest piece of advice? Talk to the cheesemonger! We love sharing our passion for cheese, whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to try something new.
1. Find the Right Cheese Shop
There’s nothing wrong with shopping at your local grocery store—in fact, many now carry a surprisingly solid selection of cheeses that you’d once only find in specialty shops.
That said, grocery store cheeses are pre-cut and pre-packaged, which means no samples and no flexibility in portion size. Plus, cheese is always at its best when freshly cut from the wheel.
If you want the full experience, keep an eye out for a local market or specialty cheese shop where you can see full wheels on display—that’s where you’ll get the freshest cuts and expert recommendations!
2. Ask the Cheesemonger
This is the most valuable tip: talk to your cheesemonger! Trust me, we love talking about it, and you should rely on our expertise. But where to start?
Here are some questions you can ask to kick off the conversation:
- What’s your favorite?
- What’s something new you got in?
- Do you have anything similar to [any cheese you’ve had]?
- I’m making [X], what cheeses would you recommend?
- What pairs well with [wine type]?
- What are some of the most popular cheeses you sell?
- I’m making a cheese board, do you have any recommendations?
If you already know what kind of texture or flavor you’re looking for, you can ask for recommendations based on:
- I like creamy cheeses…
- I like nutty and caramelized flavors…
- I want a cheese with that crunchy texture…
- I like really funky, stinky cheeses…
- I’m looking for something sharp…
- I’m looking for something tangy…
3. Samples! The Best Part of Buying
One of the biggest perks of shopping at your local cheese shop is the chance to sample before you buy. As long as the cheese isn’t pre-packaged, most shops are happy to offer you a thin slice to taste—because let’s be real, cheese can be pricey, and no one wants to spend money on something they don’t love.
At the shop where I work, we use a cheese plane to shave off a thin sample for firmer cheeses (you get the true flavor when it’s shaved like this). For softer varieties, like bloomy rinds or blues, we use small tasting spoons.
4. You Found a Cheese You Like…How Much Should You Get?
Cheese shops typically sell by weight, usually in 1/4 lb increments. Some may allow for smaller amounts like a 1/8th of a pound, but from experience, it’s hard to cut that small amount of cheese as a whole wedge. But still ask!
We’re not perfect, we’ll get as close as possible to the requested weight, but don’t be surprised if it’s a bit over or under.
Also, the price you see on the sign will most likely show the cost per pound.
General Rule of Thumb: If you’re trying out a new cheese, aim to get a 1/4 lb. That should be plenty to snack on.
Personally, I don’t have a perfect sense of cheese weights just by looking, and I don’t expect most people to either.
Instead, I’ll ask the cheesemonger to cut by size rather than weight. Since many cheeses come in wheels, they’re cut into triangular wedges.
A trick I use? I’ll gauge with my fingers and say something like, “Can I get a one- or two-finger width wedge?” It makes ordering way easier!
What If I’m Ordering for a Cheese Board?
If you’re putting together a cheese board, try to go for 1-2 ounces per person. If you don’t want to do the math, here’s a quick reference table:
| Number of People | Total Weight of Cheese |
| 3 | 6 oz |
| 4 | 8 oz (1/2 lb) |
| 5 | 10 oz |
| 6 | 12 oz |
| 7 | 14 oz |
| 8 | 16 oz (1 lb) |
General Tips When Putting Together a Cheese Board
When I put together a cheese board, I like to keep it simple—too many options can be overwhelming, and I want my guests to really enjoy and appreciate each cheese on the board.
I usually stick to 3-4 cheeses, making sure to mix up textures, milk types, and flavors for a well-balanced selection. If you’re unsure what to pick, don’t worry—a cheesemonger can help you curate the perfect lineup!
5. You Got a New Cheese! Now How Should You Store It?
Once you’ve chosen your cheese and the amount you want, the cheesemonger will cut and wrap it—usually in cheese paper or parchment paper. Hang onto that original wrapping! It’s best to loosely rewrap your cheese in it and store it in the warmest part of your fridge, like the cheese or vegetable drawer.
If possible, avoid freezing cheese, as it can mess with the texture. Also, try to steer clear of plastic wrap for storage. While cheese shops use it for short-term wrapping since we’re constantly rewrapping and rotating cheeses, it’s not ideal for long-term home storage.
How Do I Know When Cheese Goes Bad?
I usually go by the smell test—if something seems off, chances are it’s been sitting in your fridge a little too long.
My general rule of thumb: If you see white mold, just scrape it off and keep enjoying your cheese. But if you spot dark or blue mold where it doesn’t belong, that’s a sign it’s past its prime.
6. Final Tip: Enjoy!
Don’t worry about finding the perfect cheese—there’s no pressure! That’s the great thing about having so many options and being able to buy small amounts. You can always come back, let the cheesemonger know what you loved, and get recommendations based on that.
Or, if you’re in the mood for something totally different, just mention what you tried last time and ask for a new direction. The more you explore, the easier (and more fun) it gets!