When making your selection you need to take into consideration the tastes of those that you are buying for. However, it is always a good idea to include some cheeses that will stimulate interest and conversation. Ask for advice on this if necessary.

Typically a cheeseboard will contain a hard cheese, a soft or semi-soft variety and an unusual cheese like a blue or speciality cheese. Always consider buying and trying a range of cheeses as the flavour and texture between varieties differs so much.

Once you've unwrapped a cheese stored in the refrigerator, the wrapping should be discarded and the cheese should be put in a new wrapping, as reused materials won't reseal properly. The main thing is keep the cheese covered and moist, still able to breath, but without breathing so much that it dries out and cracks. To accomplish this wrap the cheese tightly in aluminium foil, waxed paper or plastic wrap.

Typically a hard cheese should be consumed within 10 days of purchase and softer varieties within 5 - 7 days (if properly stored at home) and in any case before their 'sell by' date.