A cheese of the month club that delivers straight to your door? It doesn't get much 'grater' than that! Choose from these options for every cheese lover.
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Reina Glenn/Taste of Homes, VIA MERCHANT (3)
For some people, flowers are the way to their hearts. For others, it’s baked goods like cookies. And for others still, it’s cheese. I’m in that last camp and, lucky for me, cheese is in the middle of a renaissance.
The rise in popularity of cheese boards has prompted a mainstream appreciation for cheeses other than yellow cheddar and holey Swiss. There’s Manchego, Gruyere, Camembert, Stilton and so much more to explore. Yes, even the ooey-gooey and the ultra-pungent deserve accolades.
One straightforward way to experience a smattering of cheeses—and on a consistent basis—is by subscribing to a cheese of the month club. There are more than a dozen out there, and although there’s no such thing as too much cheese (at least in my book), you’ll probably only want to sign up for one at a time. This list identifies first-class clubs that will fit your specific requirements, whether you’re looking to educate yourself on the beloved dairy product or support a small cheese-making business.
Our favorite, though, is the Cheese Explorer’s Club. We love its bold, outside-the-box cheeses from domestic and global cheesemakers.
Sure, we’re here for the hunks of cheese, but in each box, you’ll also find extras, such as crackers, charcuterie and spreads, plus fun facts and serving tips so you can learn while you nibble. This subscription is straightforward in nature, so what makes it stand out is its exceptional content. No bells and whistles are needed for Murray’s and its cheeses to be the best.
Averaging 4.7 stars, the Harry & David Fruit and Cheese Club is an all-time subscription for foodies. In each box, one artisanal cheese and one seasonal fruit team up to tantalize taste buds and take grazing boards to the next level. Before you even place your order, you’ll know what’s in store—the contents of the next 12 boxes are outlined on the website.
And they make so much sense, too! Cherries and Brie in July? Absolutely. Pears and blue cheese in December? Sign us up. Every intentional selection is meant to pair together—and with the time of year—all for a fair price. A yearlong subscription to this club costs hundreds—yes, hundreds!—less than some other clubs on this list.
Williams Sonoma 12 Months of U.S. Cheese Subscription
From sea to shining sea, there’s good cheese to eat. And no subscription makes that quite so clear as the Williams Sonoma 12 Months of U.S. Cheese Subscription. The yearlong gift of the month service delivers American cheeses straight to your stoop. Over the course of 12 months, you’ll receive (and devour!) 39 cheeses, averaging about three types per box.
“This was a lovely gift experience,” notes Senior Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski. “The way it was packaged really elevates the whole box. The box was in great shape, and the entire thing was lined with insulated material.”
Included in Katie’s box were three large wedges of cheese from Beehive Cheese. While they were all Utah cheddars, each offered a distinct flavor profile.
“Big John’s Cajun was a little more tender and had a delicious, slightly spicy flavor. Sea Hive had the most mild flavor. The honey notes were barely there, making it a very neutral pairing. Barely Buzzed had a really nutty, savory flavor. The espresso added some depth while the lavender added a slightly sweet, earthy note. All three varieties were nice and distinct. They each had varying flavor notes that were easy to tell apart.”
Pros
3-4 types of cheese per box
Entirely American-made
Ability to try a variety of cheeses from different parts of the country
Contents of boxes are preplanned
Delicious, flavorful cheese
Distinct flavor varieties
Elevated gifting experience
Generous portions
Cons
No accoutrements or cheese information included
The box we received included only cheddars, but contents will vary
Are you a cheesemonger in the making? Then the iGourmet International Cheese Subscription Box is the one for you. In addition to the standard three or four cheeses and two gourmet pairings you receive in each box (mind you they’re from all over the world!), there’s the accompanying newsletter.
Thanks to the digital “boarding pass” you get upon purchasing, you’re able to explore the contents’ countries of origin, such as Ireland or France, and learn the history, pairings and flavor profile of each cheese. You and your crew will have so much fun discovering yummy tidbits about the equally yummy foods and cheeses inside each box. iGourmet also has a club called Connoisseur’s Cheeses, similar to Murray’s Explorer’s Club mentioned above.
Small batch cheeses with rare ingredients? Sign us up! Since 1994, the Original Gourmet Cheese Club has been delivering deli paper-wrapped, hand-cut selections from international cheesemongers to cheese enthusiasts across the U.S. Some picks are award-winners, some contain rare ingredients, but all are delicious and come with a detailed newsletter that makes serving (or gifting) a breeze.
Each package contains three half-pound small-batch cheeses. Not a cheese expert? That’s fine—each box comes with an in-depth newsletter for us novice enthusiasts. Inside are tasting notes, cheese profiles and cheesemaker histories, along with serving and pairing suggestions.
Pros
Arrives with newsletter
3-, 6- or 12-month subscriptions available
Roughly 1.5 lbs delivered
First box ships FedEx 2nd Day Delivery
Ships with dry ice in hot months (and for hot climates)
Calling those who enjoy their cheeses with an abundance of pairings! Let us introduce the the Platterful Charcuterie Kit. Sure, this isn’t your average cheese of the month club. But how could we resist including a month-to-month option that includes everything necessary for a gourmet spread?
Choose between a large box that feeds 6-8 or a smaller box for up to four people. Deputy Shopping Editor, Reina Galhea’s, large box included three types of cheese, two meats, three dried fruits, two small packages of olives, two spreads, crackers, maple walnuts, corn nuts and two mini bowls with spatulas for serving. While a few items on the board weren’t winners (she noted that few folks touched the olives and she found some crackers broken on arrival), her party of four was overall impressed with the contents of the box.
“This is a great fit for someone who isn’t super picky about having the highest quality ingredients, but rather wants an economical choice that still impresses with variety and solid flavor,” she says. “The ingredients came in a compact box with an insulated compartment for the perishables. I picked up the box from my mail room within an hour of it getting delivered, and the cheeses were still cold, the ice pack still partially frozen. The nonperishable ingredients were also quite cool from being stored near the insulation pack.”
Pros
Huge variety of pairing options
1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month subscription options
Large box feeds 6-8 as a small appetizer or 2-4 as a meal
For true turophiles (that’s a fancy way of saying “cheese-lover”), an uncomplicated bite just won’t do. Sound like you? Take a page from Di Bruno Bros. Their Cheese Pairing 101 subscription box is just as much style as it is substance.
Dive into a half-pound of creamy, crunchy or even sweet cheese accompanied by nuts, jellies, jams or crackers. Each box arrives with a delightful dairy pick from on-staff cheesemongers alongside two irresistible pairings. Learn how something as simple as apricot jam or truffle oil changes a cheese’s flavor profile by reading the included inserts detailing the products and—of course—doing some tasting of your own. If you’d like a cheese-only club, the brand also offers an Eat Like a Cheesemonger box.
Pros
Comes with two pairing components
4- 8- and 13-month subscriptions (with the 13th month being free)
Includes half-pound of cheese
Pairings are crafted by expert cheesemongers
Cons
On the pricier side
First shipment comes the month after placing an order
Emily Way/Taste of Home
What to Look for When Choosing a Cheese Club
First, consider the occasion. Cheese clubs come in a variety of forms and functions. While some offer only cheese, others take things a step further by pairing picks with fruit, wine, spreads and other accoutrements. Those prepping for a party may appreciate something akin to charcuterie-in-a-box, whereas other searching for a fun gift might opt for something more simple.
Second, consider the recipient if the subscription is a gift. Adventurous folks might enjoy a box brimming with fragrant international picks. On the other hand, the simpler cheese fans among us probably prefer an option that offers milder, more recognizable flavors.
Why You Should Trust Us
As Taste of Home’s Shopping Editor, I have covered everything from Pioneer Woman kitchen launches to finding the best pizza ovens. My expertise lies in product testing and exploring new flavors in food and drink. As a total cheesehead, I’ve enjoyed my fair share of fancy cheddar and Gouda. I also understand the importance of choosing an option that offers incredible value, impeccable shipping and—of course—delectable dairy!
Reina Glenn/Taste of Home
How We Found the Best Cheese of the Month Clubs
We identified the best cheese of the month clubs through thorough online research. We chose the subscriptions that stood out based on the variety and quality of the cheeses, the curation process, any edible additions and informational materials. Editors also took user reviews into account, and we noted those with many positive reviews. From there, we categorized them based on their differentiating factors so readers can easily select the club that best suits their interests and needs. We also tested and reviewed two clubs in our home kitchens.
FAQs
What does a cheese club do?
Cheese clubs gain you access to a selection of artisanal cheeses, and oftentimes additional snack items, for up to a year. Subscription services send these curated collections of nibbles right to your front door. Some merchants employ cheesemongers to select the cheeses on a monthly basis; others outline the contents of each shipment in advance. Most boxes also include background information on cheeses and pairing ideas.
How much is cheese of the month?
Yearlong subscriptions to cheese of the month clubs vary in price. Those featured on this list range from $480 to $829 annually, so boxes average between $40 and $69 apiece. The price per box often decreases when you opt for a longer subscription.
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Emily Way/Taste of Home
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VIA MERCHANT
REINA GALHEA/TASTE OF HOME
VIA MERCHANT
Emily Way/Taste of Home
Reina Glenn/Taste of Home
