Charcuterie Baskets

Have you ever inquired as to how and why the charcuterie board was introduced into the world of entertaining? Charcuterie comes from the French term “chair”, which means flesh, and “cuit”, which means cooked. However when we say “charcuterie”, we are really referring to “cured” meats. A traditional French charcuterie shop is a like a rustic European deli. In Europe, a “charcuterie” is not a type of meat and cheese presentation, it is a shop.

Preserving meat at a French delicatessen in the 15th century was very practical. In the days before refrigeration, the simple techniques of salting and drying meat would ensure the preservation for months at the deli. This is because salting meat quickly removes the moisture, which makes it an inhospitable environment for bacteria.

The 15th century French deli owners began experimenting with different curing solutions, drying times, and cuts of meat. The French developed a variety of delicious cured meats that are the art of charcuterie. In France, the charcuterie shop owners would serve or prepare charcuterie boards for their customers. These were served on weathered, rustic wood portable chopping blocks that included cheese, crackers, and accompaniments, such as stuffed olives and marinated vegetables. Variations of these replicated European chopping blocks are trendy for hosts and hostesses all over the world to serve preserved meats, aged cheeses, and marinated vegetables on today.