Yin-Yang Cheese Board (Printable)

An elegant board balancing fresh berries, light and dark cheeses with assorted fruits and nuts for harmonious tasting.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dividing Line

01 - 5.3 oz fresh blackberries

→ Light Side

02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese (chèvre), sliced
03 - 3.5 oz young Manchego or white cheddar, cubed
04 - 1 small pear, thinly sliced
05 - 1.8 oz white grapes
06 - 1.1 oz raw almonds
07 - 1.1 oz rice crackers or light-colored crackers

→ Dark Side

08 - 3.5 oz aged blue cheese, sliced
09 - 3.5 oz aged Gouda or sharp cheddar, cubed
10 - 1 small black plum, thinly sliced
11 - 1.8 oz red or black grapes
12 - 1.1 oz roasted hazelnuts
13 - 1.1 oz dark rye crisps or seeded crackers

→ Garnishes

14 - Fresh mint leaves
15 - Edible flowers (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place a large, round serving board on a clean work surface.
02 - Arrange the blackberries in a curved line across the center of the board to form the yin-yang separation.
03 - Neatly place the light cheeses, pear slices, white grapes, almonds, and light crackers on one side of the blackberry curve.
04 - On the opposite side of the blackberry curve, arrange the dark cheeses, plum slices, red or black grapes, hazelnuts, and dark crackers.
05 - Decorate the board with fresh mint leaves and edible flowers for visual contrast and freshness.
06 - Present immediately, allowing guests to savor the harmonious balance of flavors and colors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks stunning enough to make you feel like a professional caterer, but takes barely twenty minutes.
  • No cooking required means no stress, just pure creative arrangement and the chance to taste as you go.
  • The contrast of flavors—creamy goat cheese against sharp blue, sweet pear against earthy hazelnuts—surprises and delights every single time.
02 -
  • Slice everything just before serving—pears brown, cheeses sweat, and the board loses its magic if it's been sitting out too long waiting for guests to arrive.
  • The blackberry line is more forgiving than you think; it doesn't need to be perfect to create the visual and conceptual magic that makes this board special.
  • Room temperature is everything—take your cheeses out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving, or they'll taste muted and waxy instead of alive.
03 -
  • Use a board that's actually round if you can—it changes how your eye reads the curve and makes the yin-yang concept feel more complete and satisfying.
  • Those tiny gaps between ingredients are your friends; they let each element breathe and keep the board from feeling cluttered even when it's full.
Go Back