With the holidays coming up, you’re sure to attend at least one party where a charcuterie board is passed around. While this term is often used to describe a varied offering of meats and cheeses, you may be surprised to learn the term refers to a type of cooking. Here is a quick rundown of the charcuterie cooking process to help you understand how these tasty meats get their flavor.

What Is Charcuterie?

The term charcuterie comes from the French, who used it to describe the methods for cooking and preparing certain pork-based products. Charcuterie can refer to anything from ham, bacon, and sausage to more exotic items like galantines and pâtés. Originally, charcuterie was intended as a means of preservation to keep meat from spoiling before the invention of refrigeration.

How Are the Meats Preserved?

As you may have guessed, salt is a major part of the charcuterie process. Not only does salt make the meat tastier, but it also helps spark the chemical reactions necessary for preservation. Once introduced, salt is absorbed into the meat’s cells via osmosis, helping to kill off any harmful pathogens. Salt also pulls moisture from the meat, dehydrating it and giving it a longer shelf life free from bacteria. Additionally, salt helps slow down fermentation and provides similar shifts in protein structure that occur after cooking.

What Should Be Included in a Charcuterie Board?

Purchase meats from your local butcher or deli that cover the three main charcuterie categories: dry-cured sausage, cooked sausage, and dry-cured meat.  Then pair your meats with a variety of cheeses, including at least one soft and a few semi-firm options. Keep in mind that smokey cheeses are delicious, but may be overpowering when combined with the flavors of the meats. Lastly, spice up your platter with tasty garnishes like fresh olives, rustic breads, artisan crackers, nuts, and mustards or fruit preserves. This winning combination is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any holiday event you attend this year.

Looking for a top-rated butcher to help create the perfect holiday charcuterie board? Butcher & Bird in Honolulu, HI, is the only full-service butcher shop in the city where they offer delicious, quality, and affordable meats, including steaks, ribs, and homemade sausages. To learn more about their meats, deli sandwiches, and fresh salads, visit them online, or give them a call today at (808) 762-8095 to inquire about specials.