[1] Basiron Pesto Rosso, a red Gouda. [2] Cahill’s Irish Cheddar, marbled with porter. [3] English Cheddar with spicy harissa. [4] Mimolette, perhaps the spookiest-looking cheese. [5] A limited fall edition version of Weybridge from Vermont (all photos are the copyright of their respective owners).

These cheeses and others can create a perfect Halloween cheese plate. They also double as “harvest moon” cheeses for Thanksgiving.

They represent England, France, Holland, Ireland, and the U.S. They’re all delicious and worth seeking out. If you can’t find them locally, we’ve provided e-tail links.
 
HALLOWEEN CHEESES

Basiron Pesto Rosso

This Dutch Gouda (photo #1), also called Red Gouda, gets its bright color and flavor from an infusion of tomato pesto. Each creamy bite has a hit of ripe tomato and Italian herbs.

It’s what we call “fusion cheese”: a traditional cheese from one country flavored with herbs and spices from another culture.

Find it at Amazon.com.
 
Cahill’s Farm Flavored Irish Cheddar

Made near Limerick and dating to 1759, the brown mosaic pattern is made with Guinness (photo #2). There’s also a fall-appropriate version colored red with wine, and an all-yellow version made with Irish whiskey (save the latter for St. Patrick’s Day).

Find it at Amazon.com.
 
English Cheddar With Harissa

Another “cultural fusion cheese,” this tangy English Cheddar (photo #3) gets an infusion of harissa, a Moroccan spice blend that consists of chiles, coriander, cumin, garlic, and smoked paprika (each producer has a proprietary blend, which can include other ingredients).

Find it at Amazon.com.
 
Mimolette

Perhaps the creepiest of all (photo #4), Mimolette’s rind looks like the craters of the moon. Cut it open and surprise: There’s a blazing orange interior that also looks scary.

This semi-sharp cow’s milk cheese is produced in the area around Lille in Alsace, France. Try it with an Alsatian Riesling!

Find it at ForTheGourmet.com.

 
Weybridge Limited Edition

This “surprise!” cheese from the Scholten Family Farm in Vermont has a ghostly white bloomy rind, that reveals a tangy orange paste (the industry term for the interior of a cheese). An organic cheese, limited edition version has a dusting of vegetable ash on the rind for some extra spookiness.

The limited edition cheese, a fall version of the regular Weybridge, sells out quickly. Reserve yours at Jasper Hill Farm.
 
WHAT CREATES THE BRIGHT ORANGE COLOR?

It’s annatto, a natural dye derived from achiote seeds. It’s the same natural color that differentiates yellow cheddar from white cheddar.

In large amounts annatto provides a slightly spicy flavor, but here in smaller touches it delivers only the color.
 
OTHER CHEESES TO CONSIDER

Along with bread, crackers, fruits and nuts, serve a choice of condiments. Use ramekins for neatness. No ramekins? See what you do have, such as espresso cups and espresso spoons.

 
Look for an artisan semolina loaf if you want to add some seasonal color to the bread.
 
MAILLE MUSTARDS

The great French mustard house produces a standard line plus seasonal flavors: so good, we eat them from the jar on a spoon!

Fall flavors include:

 
We love to give these gourmet mustards as house gifts and stocking stuffers for our foodie friends. Find them online at Maille.com.

[6] Maille Hazelnut, Black Chanterelle Mushrooms & White Wine Mustard. [7] Maille Black Truffle, Cep & Chablis Mustard, a limited edition for fall (photos courtesy Maille USA).