Finding the perfect gift for the foodie in your life can be a challenge. Skip the fancy new kitchen gadgets and explore gifts for charcuterie lovers, including one that will keep them stocked with meats and cheeses for months.
Charcuterie platters are a crowd-pleasing accompaniment to any gathering. The mix of cured meats and cheese has something for everyone. Modern charcuterie boards also typically include a sampling of nuts, dried fruits, and crackers. Charcuterie platters are low-maintenance and easy to assemble in advance.
Charcuterie has its roots in 15th-century France. It was developed as a way to preserve meat and prevent waste. Earlier cultures, including the ancient Romans, cured meats, but the French are widely recognized as popularizing modern-day charcuterie. Salt and spices are combined with the meat, and it is left to dry. Some popular options are salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, and pancetta.
Guide to Making a Tasty Cheese and Charcuterie Platter
Cheese Brothers offers a wide variety of options for a charcuterie platter and the best gifts for charcuterie lovers. The company has a rich history of cheese making and specializes in crafting high-quality cheeses. The Barron, Wisconsin-based company offers homemade Wisconsin cheeses and specialty products for purchase on its website, as well as a subscription-based service for loyal customers. Cheese Brothers has a Wisconsin Cheese of the Month Club subscription service for your favorite foodie.
Gone are the little squares of cheddar paired with boring crackers. With the wide variety of specialty cheeses and cured meats available, charcuterie platters are taking center stage. Social media is upping expectations and is filled with photos of beautiful charcuterie platters to get ideas for things like Father's Day Gifts and more. Our experts can help make creating your cheese and charcuterie board for your next get-together a breeze. Here are some tips and tricks to impress your guests.
Pick the Right Platter.The base of your charcuterie and cheese board will depend on the size of your crowd. Make sure your platter has enough space to fit all your offerings. Good options are wooden cutting boards or white platters. You’ll also need some small bowls, knives, and spoons for serving.
Pick the Cheese. Culinary experts recommend picking a minimum of three cheeses for your platter. It’s important to include a variety of soft and hard cheeses with different flavors. Cheese Brothers’ custom charcuterie box includes smoked gouda and an eight-year-old aged cheddar. We also include a Fratello, an Italian-style cheese, and Rhapsody, a rich, sharp, nutty cheese with a hint of sweetness.
Pile on the Meats. Make sure to cut your charcuterie into bite-sized pieces to make snacking easy for guests. Fan out the meat and place it at several different places on the board to make it easy to reach. Cheese Brothers partnered with La Quercia to offer a dry and mildly spicy Americano salami to accompany its signature cheeses. La Quercia was founded by Herb and Kathy Eckhouse, who got their start creating premium quality American prosciutto, then applied what they learned to other cuts of pork.
Fill up the Space.Every cheese platter needs to have some fruit, nuts, or olives for flavor. Cheese Brothers includes a jar of cherry lavender jam from Bushel & Peck’s of Beloit, Wisconsin. We also offer artisan mustard and crackers.
Add Some Greenery. To make your charcuterie platter shine, add some fresh herbs, arugula, or fig leaves. Adding greenery breaks up your platter and adds depth.
Don’t forget to pair your charcuterie platter with a nice bottle of wine — or two!
Where to Shop for Charcuterie Boards and Accouterments
If you need help building a charcuterie platter, the answer is at your fingertips. The entire line of Cheese Brothers fare, including our charcuterie boxes, can be purchased online and delivered right to your door. To browse our wide variety of artisan cheese and specialty products, visit Cheese Brothers to shop charcuterie boards and accouterments.
