Best for the cheese nerd
1. The Ingredient Guide
Ebook $12.99 · paperback coming soon
76 cheeses and 249 other board ingredients in one book: how each tastes, what pairs with it and why, and how much to buy per person. More about the book
Gift guide Gifts for cheese lovers
Gift guide · Cheese lovers
Gifts for cheese lovers: 12 ideas they'll actually use
Quick answer: For a cheese lover, give something that makes their cheese better: Formaticum storage bags ($14 to $18) or a Boska knife set ($30 to $45). For the cheese nerd, The Ingredient Guide covers 76 cheeses and 249 other board ingredients, and 50 Boards, Built by Science ($25.99) turns their cheese into full boards.
Giving a paperback? Amazon shows the delivery date at checkout. For Christmas, aim to order by mid-December.
Cheese lovers usually own a board and a knife. What they don't have is the stuff that makes cheese last longer, taste better and look better: proper storage paper, the right blade for each texture, a way to label a board. Here's what we'd give, from small to splurge.
Prices are typical ranges, checked October 2026. We have no paid relationship with any brand below. We wrote the Charcuterie Lab books.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Ingredient Guide | Best for the cheese nerd | $12.99 ebook |
| 50 Boards, Built by Science | Best for turning cheese into boards | $25.99 |
| Formaticum cheese storage bags | Best small gift | $14–18 |
| Boska Monaco+ cheese knife set | Best knife set | $30–45 |
| A Norwegian cheese plane | Best under $20 | $10–18 |
| A slate cheese board with chalk | Best board | $20–30 |
| Slate cheese markers with a chalk pen | Best add-on | $8–14 |
| A glass cheese dome | Best for the counter | $25–45 |
| A boxed honeycomb | Best edible pairing | $12–20 |
| That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life | Best styling book | $20–28 |
| A beginner mozzarella and ricotta kit | Best hands-on gift | $25–40 |
| A cheese-of-the-month club | Best splurge | $$$$ |
The full list
Best for turning cheese into boards
2. 50 Boards, Built by Science
Paperback $25.99 · ebook $14
Fifty complete boards, including an all-cheese connoisseur board and a wine and cheese pairing board, each with a shopping list and build order. More about the book
Best small gift
3. Formaticum cheese storage bags
Typically $14–18
Two-ply cheese paper bags that let cheese breathe without drying out. Cheese shops use the same paper. How to store cheese
See it on AmazonBest knife set
4. Boska Monaco+ cheese knife set
Typically $30–45
Dutch cheese-tool maker Boska's best-known set, with stainless blades shaped for soft, semi-hard and hard cheese.
See it on AmazonBest under $20
5. A Norwegian cheese plane
Typically $10–18
Shaves paper-thin slices of Gouda, Jarlsberg or Gruyère. Cheap, useful every day, and most people don't own one.
See it on AmazonBest board
6. A slate cheese board with chalk
Typically $20–30
Black slate makes every cheese and meat stand out, and you can write the names right on it. Wood vs slate vs marble
See it on AmazonBest add-on
7. Slate cheese markers with a chalk pen
Typically $8–14
Little slate flags to label each cheese, so guests stop asking what everything is.
See it on AmazonBest for the counter
8. A glass cheese dome
Typically $25–45
Keeps a cut wedge covered on the counter while it comes to room temperature.
See it on AmazonBest edible pairing
9. A boxed honeycomb
Typically $12–20
The single prettiest thing you can put on a board. Pairs with blue cheese and aged cheddar. Best honey for cheese
See it on AmazonBest styling book
10. That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life by Marissa Mullen
Typically $20–28
A colourful, step-by-step styling book built on Mullen's "Cheese by Numbers" method. Great for someone who loves how boards look.
See it on AmazonBest hands-on gift
11. A beginner mozzarella and ricotta kit
Typically $25–40
Fresh mozzarella in about an hour from a gallon of milk. A fun first step for a cheese lover who cooks.
See it on AmazonBest splurge
12. A cheese-of-the-month club
$$$$: price varies by plan
Murray's Cheese and several other shops ship a monthly box of cheeses picked by a cheesemonger. Check each club's plans for current prices.
See it on AmazonWhich Charcuterie Lab book for which person?
Or give it as a set
About $75–93
The cheese lover's gift
Two books, a slate board and the knives to serve from it.
- 50 Boards, Built by Science, paperback $25.99
- Around the World in 16 Boards, paperback $16.99
- A slate cheese board with chalk, $20–30
- A 3-piece cheese knife set, $12–20
Gifts for cheese lovers: questions
What do you get someone who loves cheese?
Something that makes their cheese better: cheese storage paper or bags, a knife set with a blade for each texture, a cheese plane, a slate board with chalk markers, or a cheese-of-the-month club.
What is the best cheese storage for a gift?
Two-ply cheese paper or bags, like Formaticum's. They let the cheese breathe while holding in moisture, so a wedge lasts longer than in plastic wrap.
Which cheese knives are worth buying?
A set with three shapes: a holed or thin blade for soft cheese, a spreader, and a pointed knife for hard cheese. Boska's Monaco+ set is a well-known option.
Is a cheese-of-the-month club a good gift?
Yes, for a serious cheese lover. It arrives every month and introduces cheeses they wouldn't pick themselves. Check how many months the gift covers and whether it ships to their state.
What book should I buy a cheese lover?
The Ingredient Guide for the reference side (what each cheese tastes like and pairs with), or That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life for styling. 50 Boards, Built by Science if they host.
Free printable
"Your first board is on me" gift card
Tuck it inside the book. There's a space to write which board you'll make together, so the gift comes with a date on the calendar. Two cards per page, prints on plain paper or card stock.
Enter your email and the download appears on the next page. You'll also get the Lab Report newsletter; unsubscribe any time.