Charcuterie Board - An Age-Old Way Of Snacking
Image Credit: Freepik

Charcuterie boards have become quite popular in recent years, and many people are flocking to their kitchens to try their hand at making their own. But do you have any idea what that is?  Charcuterie boards are a display of cured meats and vegetables that are frequently offered as appetizers with liquors or can be consumed without alcohol. It displays a variety of finger food-sized snacks that are appealing to the eye, and also taste delicious. 

 But, what do you think? The use of charcuterie boards is not new. Contrary to popular belief, charcuterie board isn’t an Instagram craze that began two or three years ago. It's been around for a long time. The word charcuterie is derived from the French words 'chair' and 'cuit,' which respectively indicate flesh and cooked. These boards feature cured meats, as well as nuts, cheese, and other condiments. According to sources, meat curing began in 15th century Rome, when Romans learned that curing meat and salting it made it taste much better and kept it fresh and delicious for a longer period of time. 

People began to eat and relish cured meats such as salami, bacon, hams, pig, and sausages.  These boards feature not only a variety of meats, but also vegetables, several types of cheese, nuts, fruits, crackers, toasts, and specialty breads.  These combinations make these boards look appealing and spectacular.  

This is a popular trend these days, and many individuals are using large wooden boards/trays to serve these goodies to their visitors. It's simple to make and also looks lovely and sophisticated. 

Image source-Freepik

What should these charcuterie boards be paired with?  

Charcuteries are a type of nibble that are frequently served as appetizers or tiny snacks at parties. They're usually served with wines since the flavours of wine, cured meats, and cheese complement each other so nicely.  Crisp white wines, such as Riesling or Rosé wines, proseccos, and light red wines, such as berry wines, are popular choices. 

 Main composition of Charcuterie Boards:  

    3-4 types of cured meat 

    2-3 kinds of cheese (soft or hard) 

    2-3 savoury items like nuts, olives, pickles. 

    Artisanal breads or crackers 

    2-3 dips (both sweet and savoury) 

 Charcuterie boards are a quick, easy, dependable, and simple snacking option that is bursting with flavours.  

The most astonishing thing about these boards is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. You might prepare it in whatever way you like by using your imagination and creativity. There are no rules, and there are no right or wrong ways to do things. However, there are a few tricks you can apply to make it the best charcuterie board ever. 

 Tips: 

    Make sure the board or tray on which you'll be exhibiting your meats, cheeses, and vegetables is the right size. The tray should not be overly huge or too little. It is recommended that only wooden trays or boards be used.  

 •    Always use bright, colourful, and vibrant vegetables and fruits to make your board look more vibrant. This will immediately improve your overall experience. Always choose fruits and vegetables that are readily available and in season.  

 •    As the main feature of these boards, chop or slice your items into smaller bits. It makes it more convenient and simpler to eat.