If you have been to a cocktail party or even out to your favorite restaurant, you may have noticed a popular new food choice — the charcuterie board! These fancy little trays and platters are always filled with the most scrumptious meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, tasty sweets, and more! Some people enjoy unique takes on the classic charcuterie arrangements like breakfast boards, fast-food boards, and even kids’ snack boards. No matter which type of food or theme you go with, one thing is for sure — you need the best wooden charcuterie board to impress your guests! At Pompos Boards, our passion is creating one-of-a-kind handcrafted charcuterie boards that bring joy to any occasion. If you are still confused about why these charcuterie boards are taking over events, let's dive into the history a bit!
The History Of Charcuterie Boards
The History Of Charcuterie Boards
What is a Charcuterie Board?
A charcuterie board is a piece of art. From the handcrafted design and color to the carefully arranged variety of temptatious goodness that sits upon it, charcuterie is a fun, festive way to serve and enjoy food. We do eat with ours first after all! These boards are usually composed of an array of meats, cheeses, fruits, and other fine accompaniments. Sounds simple enough right? Then why is there a sudden influx of popularity? Let’s dive a little deeper…
The Origin of Charcuterie
Charcuterie, while a distinctively fun word to say and a new craze amongst social groups, is not an entirely new concept. The term “charcuterie” is derived from the French words for flesh (chair) and cooked (cuit). The process of smoking and curing meats dates back to ancient Roman times when people believed in utilizing every aspect of an animal in one way or another. As many cultures do as the Romans do, the French are no different. In the 15th century, the French started to use the word charcuterie to refer to products that were made from pork, including the pig’s internal organs, creating the charcuterie board using offal and other kinds of meat.
What’s Included in These Boards?
While you won’t find pig intestines on your traditional charcuterie board (or at least we hope not!), there are several charcuterie board staples most people include:
A variety of cheeses (Manchego, Brie, Gorgonzola, etc.)
Fine meats (Salami, Prosciutto, Spanish Chorizo, etc.)
Nuts
Fruits
Pieces of bread
Honey & Jams
The Golden Couple
Charcuterie and wine are the perfect accompaniment! Choosing the right wine to accompany your charcuterie board is all part of the fun. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Salty meats (like prosciutto) pair with chilled, sparkling wines
Spicer meats pair well with sweet wines
When in doubt, Merlot or Cabernet Franc are excellent choices for a more robust experience
We hope this adventure into the culture of charcuterie has sparked your imagination and hunger for adventure. When shopping for the best wooden charcuterie boards for sale online, be sure to check out Pompo’s Boards for an excellent selection of handcrafted one-of-a-kind charcuterie boards. Shop our charcuterie board selection now!