Charcuterie boards originated in 15th century France, where the term described shops selling pork products. The word comes from French words for cooked meat. Originally, European boards varied locally, usually including cured meats, cheeses, preserved vegetables, eggs, and bread.
The traditional charcuterie board expanded into an appetizer platter shared at parties. It serves contrasts in textures, colors and finger foods like cured meats, cheeses, fruit, nuts, and bread. Creative cooks make themed boards for holidays or classic cheese and meat collections.
Evolution and Trends of Charcuterie Boards
Modern charcuterie boards feature various meats, cheeses, olives, fruits, and vegetables. Their rise in popularity came with social media, as artful arrangements became ideal for photos. Home cooks and restaurants share their charcuterie creations online.
People customize them to match events, cuisine, or visual appeal. The main difference from a cheese board is cured meats versus cheeses. Part of mastering charcuterie lies in textures and pairings. For instance, dry-cured salami calls for a different texture like chicken liver mousse.