5 Advent Calendars For Cheese Lovers

The holiday season is filled with cherished traditions, and for many, the daily surprise of an advent calendar is a highlight. While chocolate has long dominated this festive countdown, a new and delicious trend has captured the hearts of foodies everywhere: the cheese advent calendar. Offering a daily morsel of savory delight, these calendars are a sophisticated and exciting way to count down to the holidays. They provide a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of cheeses, from classic cheddars to exotic new flavors. Here are five of the best advent calendars designed specifically for cheese lovers.

1. The Original Cheese Advent Calendar by So Wrong It's Nom

Often credited with starting the entire trend, the So Wrong It's Nom Cheese Advent Calendar remains a top contender. Created by food blogger Annem Hobson, this calendar was born from a desire for a savory alternative to the usual sweet treats. It features 24 individually wrapped "chunks" of cheese, ensuring freshness and a perfect portion for a daily tasting. The selection is thoughtfully curated to provide a diverse experience, typically including a mix of classic British cheeses that appeal to a wide range of palates. You can expect to find favorites like smoky Applewood, tangy Red Leicester, and a creamy, mild Double Gloucester.

What makes this calendar particularly special is its "book-style" packaging, which can be folded in half to save space in the refrigerator. This practical design addresses one of the key challenges of storing a cheese-based advent calendar. Each year, the creators work to refine the cheese selection and packaging, making it a reliable and delightful choice for both seasoned cheese aficionados and those new to the world of artisanal cheese. It’s a wonderful introduction to the concept and a consistent crowd-pleaser.

2. Ilchester Cheese Advent Calendar

For those who love variety, the Ilchester Cheese Advent Calendar is an excellent choice. Ilchester is a renowned British cheese company known for its innovative and flavorful blended cheeses. This calendar typically showcases a fantastic array of their most popular products, offering a different taste experience behind each of the 24 doors. You're likely to uncover classics like Wensleydale with cranberries, a smooth Jarlsberg, and the iconic Applewood Smoked Cheddar. The variety ensures that each day brings a new and exciting flavor profile to explore.

Beyond the cheese, the Ilchester calendar often includes a bit of festive fun, with cheesy jokes or trivia printed on the back of each door. This small touch adds to the daily ritual, making it an engaging and lighthearted experience for the whole family. The cheeses are all suitable for vegetarians, making it an inclusive option. Its wide availability in major supermarkets in both the UK and North America also makes it one of the more accessible options on the market.

3. Aldi Emporium Selection Advent Calendar

Aldi has become famous for its high-quality, budget-friendly specialty items, and its cheese advent calendar is no exception. The Emporium Selection Advent Calendar is a highly anticipated holiday product that often sells out quickly. It offers a fantastic value proposition, providing 24 imported mini cheeses from around the world without a hefty price tag. The selection is diverse, featuring cheeses from countries like the Netherlands, England, and France, giving you a mini tour of European cheesemaking traditions.

Inside, you might find a nutty Gouda, a sharp English cheddar, a creamy Havarti, or a piquant Red Leicester. Each cheese is individually sealed to maintain its freshness throughout the month. The packaging is festive and well-designed, rivaling more expensive brands. For anyone looking to indulge in the cheese advent calendar experience without breaking the bank, Aldi's version is an unbeatable choice that proves you don't have to sacrifice quality or variety for affordability.

4. The Chuckling Cheese Company Advent Calendar

If you're a fan of bold, inventive flavors, The Chuckling Cheese Company Advent Calendar is designed for you. This UK-based company is known for its creative and often quirky cheese creations, and their advent calendar is a celebration of that spirit. It features 24 wax-coated cheese truckles, each a different, exciting flavor. This calendar moves beyond the classics, offering unique blends that you won't find in a typical grocery store. Past calendars have included flavors like Margarita Pizza, Pigs in Blankets, and Christmas Pudding cheddar.

The use of wax-coated truckles is not only charmingly rustic but also practical, as the wax helps to preserve the cheese and lock in its distinct flavor. This calendar is perfect for the adventurous foodie who loves to be surprised. Each day offers a completely new taste adventure, making the countdown to Christmas a truly gastronomic journey. It's a fantastic gift for the cheese lover who thinks they've tried it all.

5. Paxton & Whitfield 'A Taste of Paxton's' Advent Calendar

For the ultimate luxury cheese experience, look no further than the offering from Paxton & Whitfield. As one of London's oldest and most respected cheesemongers, holding a Royal Warrant, their advent calendar is the epitome of quality and sophistication. Instead of daily cheeses, this calendar is structured differently, offering four larger deliveries across the month. Each delivery contains a curated selection of three premium artisan cheeses, building up to a grand total of 12 exquisite cheeses by Christmas.

This calendar focuses on exceptional, artisan-made cheeses from Britain and Europe, often featuring rare and seasonal varieties. In addition to the cheese, it also includes perfectly matched accompaniments like crackers and chutneys, providing a complete tasting experience. While it represents a significant investment, the Paxton & Whitfield calendar is more than just a countdown; it's a curated cheese course delivered to your door. It is the perfect choice for the serious connoisseur who appreciates the finest quality and the art of cheesemongering.

The Rise of the Savory Countdown

The tradition of the advent calendar dates back to 19th-century Germany, where Lutheran families would mark the days of Advent by lighting candles or making chalk marks on a wall. The first printed advent calendars appeared in the early 1900s, and the version we know today, with little doors hiding a picture or a small treat, became popular after World War II. For decades, these treats were almost exclusively chocolate, cementing the calendar as a sweet-toothed tradition.

The shift towards savory options is a relatively recent phenomenon, driven by changing consumer tastes and a desire for more sophisticated, adult-oriented holiday products. The cheese advent calendar was arguably the pioneer of this movement. Its wild success demonstrated a clear market for non-chocolate calendars, paving the way for calendars filled with everything from wine and craft beer to gourmet popcorn and hot sauce. This evolution reflects a broader trend in the food world, where consumers are increasingly interested in artisanal products, unique flavor experiences, and ways to make holiday traditions feel more personal and grown-up.

Common Questions About Cheese Advent Calendars

How should I properly store my cheese advent calendar?

Proper storage is crucial to ensure your cheese remains fresh and delicious throughout the month of December. The most important rule is that the entire calendar must be kept refrigerated. Cheese is a perishable dairy product, and leaving it at room temperature for an extended period can lead to spoilage and a loss of flavor and texture. Most cheese advent calendars are designed to be compact enough to fit on a shelf in your refrigerator.

Some brands, like the So Wrong It's Nom calendar, feature a "book-style" design that allows you to fold it in half, making it much easier to store. When you open a daily cheese, it's best to consume it the same day for the best taste experience. If you only eat a portion, be sure to re-wrap the remaining piece tightly in wax paper or plastic wrap and place it back in the fridge immediately.

What can I pair with the cheeses from my calendar?

Pairing your daily cheese with the right accompaniment can elevate the tasting experience from a simple snack to a true gastronomic event. The possibilities are nearly endless, but a few classic pairings work exceptionally well. Simple, plain crackers or a sliced baguette are excellent choices as they provide a neutral base that allows the flavor of the cheese to shine without overwhelming it.

For a sweet contrast, consider fruits like apple or pear slices, grapes, or figs. A dab of chutney, fruit preserves, or honey can also beautifully complement both sharp and creamy cheeses. If you enjoy a savory combination, try pairing your cheese with cured meats like prosciutto or salami, or a few olives. For beverage pairings, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc often pairs well with a variety of cheeses, while a robust red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon is great with aged cheddars.

Can I make a DIY cheese advent calendar?

Absolutely! Creating your own DIY cheese advent calendar can be a fun and rewarding project, allowing you to completely customize the selection to your personal tastes. To get started, you'll need a structure with 24 compartments. You could use a pre-made advent calendar with empty drawers, a set of small numbered gift boxes, or even just numbered paper bags. The key is to have something that can be easily stored in the refrigerator.

Next, visit a local cheesemonger or a grocery store with a good cheese counter and select 24 different cheeses. Try to get a wide variety of textures and flavors—perhaps a few hard cheeses, some soft ones, a blue cheese, and a goat cheese. Ask for small, sample-sized cuts of each. Wrap each piece individually and tightly in cheese paper or wax paper, label it with its number, and place it in the corresponding compartment of your calendar. This DIY approach is not only personal but also makes for an incredibly thoughtful gift for a fellow cheese lover.

Conclusion

Cheese advent calendars offer a wonderfully savory and sophisticated way to count down the days to the holidays. From the widely accessible and varied Ilchester and Aldi calendars to the uniquely flavored creations from The Chuckling Cheese Company and the luxurious, curated experience offered by Paxton & Whitfield, there is an option for every taste and budget. These calendars provide more than just a daily treat; they offer a journey of discovery, introducing you to new flavors and textures and adding a moment of delicious anticipation to each day in December.

For further reading and cheese exploration, consider these resources:

• Cheese Professor
• Culture Cheese Magazine