Many still use meat and cheese trays or cheese plates when planning food and appetizers for a party or event. Some of you may even recall your parents or grandparents slicing and arranging their party platters. These homemade platters did the job but needed to be more high-quality and visually appealing. Today, as our palettes grow more sophisticated and our food knowledge increases, we prefer carefully curated meats and cheeses sliced and plated with the appearance of edible art. We call this culinary creation a charcuterie and cheese board.

What are Charcuterie and Cheese Boards?

Charcuterie is the culinary art of preparing and preserving specialty meat products. A Charcutier expertly smokes, cures or ages quality meats such as salami, prosciutto, sausage, pâtés, speck and soppressata. They are then artfully arranged on a reusable board with gourmet crackers, pieces of bread, olives, fruits, nuts and hand-prepared spreads. If artisan cheeses are included with the meat, it is called ‘charcuterie and cheese board.’

Tapas Boards for Grazing and Entertaining

Tapas means ‘small plates,’ usually filled with savory Spanish foods for sampling. As charcuterie boards have grown in popularity, so has the tapas board, and they are no longer filled with only Spanish offerings. Boarderie has curated Italian and French meats such as Finocchiona, La Quercia Speck and Prosciutto di San Daniele and a variety of salami to create an exquisite tapas board.

Is Charcuterie the Same as Antipasto?

While charcuterie and antipasto platters contain dry, cured meats and garnishes, they differ. Charcuterie only refers to meat and is beautifully arranged on a board, sometimes with the addition of cheese. Antipasti typically includes meats, cheese, raw or cooked vegetables, and olives and is sometimes served on a bed of lettuce drizzled with oil and vinegar. It includes gourmet condiments such as dried or fresh fruits, nuts, olives, jams and other artisan spreads. Because of its messy, oily ingredients, antipasto can not be pre-made and shipped like Boarderie products.

Pair Your Meat and Cheese Platters With Wine

Whatever you call our splendidly colorful charcuterie and cheese boards, they always pair perfectly with your favorite handpicked wines. Whether you are hosting an elegant event, a holiday gathering or wine-tasting for your foodie friends, having a Boarderie platter accompanied by several exquisite red and white wines will make for a memorable evening.

Have Your Charcuterie Delivered Directly To Your Door

Are you planning a festive gathering, wedding, shower, or birthday party? Our pre-made meat and cheese platters provide a variety of aged meats and gourmet cheeses made only by the best small family farms. Our charcuterie and cheese boards are all pre-made and ready to serve straight out of the chilled shipping box to guests. Order your edible piece of art today for your next celebration or just to enjoy it at home with your loved ones.