Charcuterie remains on trend! Taken from the French word for cooked meat, charcuterie is an artistically plated spread of slow aged salumi paired with cheese, crackers and various pickled, sweet, spicy, and savory accompaniments. Consumer online searches about how to build a charcuterie board continues to spike, up 800% in 5 years. The artful combination of meats, cheeses and other finger foods arranged on a wooden platter gained increased popularity during the 2020 pandemic, and this trend is expected to continue to grow. One out of four consumers are now making at least one charcuterie board at home each month. Retailers can capitalize on this trend and grow basket size by creating charcuterie destination displays, enticing shoppers to build their own board for their next event.
Charcuterie Whether you’re new to the art of charcuterie, looking for a safe place to learn, or a seasoned charcutier seeking inspiration to take your board to the next level, we invite you to spend some time with us to explore our salumi and pairing creations that we hope will lead you to fall in love with craft meats – and put your best board forward. To learn more please visit: www.columbuscraftmeats.com Quantity The size of a board depends on your number of guests. We typically suggest 2-3 ounces of meat and 1-2 ounces of cheese per person. Balance Unite contrasting characteristics and textures to create composed, harmonious bites. Character: Add personality to your board with visually interesting elements that introduce new flavors.
The best charcuterie board excites all the senses. Here are the basics to get you creating the craft meat choices & thoughtful pairings – and guiding principles to keep you creating well beyond your first board!
1. Columbus Craft Italian Meats Set the tone. Start with salumi (cold cuts or cured meats, including Italian delicacies) as the centerpiece of your board, and build pairings around your hero). Have fun with your meat choices. Try something familiar and mild, something spicy (or with a hint of pepper) and a salami you have never heard of before. In general, two ounces of meat per person should be enough.
2. Cheese Add a variety of complementary soft, creamy, and/or hard cheeses to elevate the flavors of your meat.
- Hard Italian cheeses are great with all our salami selections.
- Well-aged Italian and Spanish cheeses highlight the spices in our pepper focused salami. A variety of complementary soft, creamy and/or hard cheeses to elevate the flavors of your meat.
3. Color + Crunch A great charcuterie board creates an experience for ALL the senses – color for a visual showstopper and crunchy texture for an exciting bite.
- Color – (fresh herbs, bright peppers, and uniquely colored fruits).
- Crunch/texture – (crackers, nuts, bread).
- Well-aged Italian and Spanish cheeses highlight the spices in our pepper focused salami.
4. Acid Pairs well with spicy meats and will cut through any richness to cleanse your palate for the next bite (peppers, pickled vegetables, tomatoes, olives, cornichons).
5. Sweet Sweet will complement creamy cheeses and mild salami and enhance the flavors on the board (fruit, chocolate, jams/jellies/marmalades, honey).
Cross merchandising Italian meats in other departments such as the wine department creates incremental store sales. Shoppers who pick up Italian meats also purchase specialty cheese, nuts, olives, crackers, and other accouterments.
COLUMBUS Sliced Italian Dry Salame
Made from select cuts of pork, cracked black pepper, burgundy wine, and our signature blend of spices. It is slow cured for unique taste, richness, and aroma. Pairs well with pinot noir or pale ale.
COLUMBUS Peppered Salame has a peppery, spicy bite followed by true flavors of our original salame rolled in just the right amount of freshly cracked black peppercorns and slow aged to perfection. Its taste pairs well with sharp cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack. Enjoy it with a glass of merlot, amber beer, or pilsner. Pair it with accouterments like roasted red peppers, hummus, peppadews, or Spanish olives for the ultimate charcuterie experience.
COLUMBUS Genoa Salame is made from finely chopped, extra-lean pork seasoned with garlic, cracked black pepper and wine for a sweet, smooth flavor. It is slow aged, giving it the aromatic mild taste. Pair it with cheeses like provolone, mozzarella or chevre. Enjoy with pinot grigio, rosé, or pilsner. Accompany this salame with olives, figs or apricots for a fulfilling charcuterie experience.
COLUMBUS Calabrese Salame is an inspired recipe from the Calabria region of Italy. Made from whole cuts of hand-trimmed pork and seasoned with crushed red pepper and red bell peppers, it has a ruby red color and a “spicy” finish.
To learn more please visit: www.columbuscraftmeats.com
