The Hidden Gem Found In Whole Foods' Cheese Case

If you haven't heard, charcuterie boards are in, and they don't seem to be going anywhere soon.

Sure, maybe the novelty of a butter board briefly eclipsed its progenitor, per USA Today. When the dust settles, it will likely be the classic meats-and-cheeses that are left standing. My Ginger Garlic Kitchen points out that charcuterie boards have more going on than their competitors. They offer a colorful, luxurious variety of foods that encourages grazing and can be quickly and easily assembled.

The only caveat to their appeal is that offering a proper variety of cheese and meat options on a board can be expensive. Luckily, there is an easy way to find relief from a somewhat unlikely place — Whole Foods.

CNET reports that Whole Foods was referred to as "whole paycheck" for the longest time thanks to its ability to swallow up most of your spending money. With some carefully planned shopping, it can also be a great place to get affordable cheeses for a charcuterie board.

One of the best perks of shopping at Whole Foods is that it's a great place to sample different cheeses. It's not just thanks to its cheese advent calendar, either. Whole Foods prides itself on its ability to source unique and delicious cheeses. It also has helpful services that make getting a great deal on them easy and accessible.

Whole Foods keeps certified cheesemongers on hand to help make the most of your cheese shopping experience. Not only can they describe each cheese to you, but they can also help you design your charcuterie board. Just tell them what food or beverage you're hoping to pair it with, and they'll help you decide what will work best. For example, if you were hoping to pair a charcuterie board with a fine tequila or margaritas, just let them know, and their expert taste will handle the rest.

If you're more of a do-it-yourselfer, they have other great options to help you find what you're looking for and save money.

Another service offered by Whole Foods' cheese department is the option to purchase any size wedge of cheese. If you're looking to try something new or don't need an entire cut of parmesan, the staff can cut as much as you desire.

According to Kitchn, this service also produces plenty of oddly sized offshoots that are then sold at discounted prices. Not only is this one of the easiest ways to save money on cheese at Whole Foods, but these hidden gems can also be an excellent opportunity to try something new. Grab an alpine tomme or try out a gruyère at a discounted price. Whole Foods will provide free samples, but it can be nice to enjoy cheese in the comfort of your own home. You can use these discount wedges to sample cheeses you're picking out for a charcuterie board at home and try them with different pairings of foods and drinks.