Selecting the food you need to place on the charcuterie board is pretty hard, but choosing the most suitable charcuterie board from the various types available in the market is even harder. In our buyer's guide, we will be discussing the most important factors that you need to consider, the price you should expect to pay, and answer some of the most asked questions about charcuterie boards on the internet. Read on!
What Should You Consider When Buying Charcuterie Boards?
Size
The main thing you should consider is the dimensions of the charcuterie board so that you can have a visual presentation of how big it is. Choosing the appropriate size will strongly depend on the food you're planning to place and the number of people you're serving. When hosting a group gathering, it's advised to serve 5 to 6 ounces of cheese and meat per guest.
The most common size you will see when going through different products is 13-inch in length, 13-inch in width, and 2-inches in height. We truly think that this size will offer you just enough space for all of your ingredients. However, if you plan on serving more guests, you should look for charcuterie boards that will handle a lot more ingredients.
Material
The charcuterie board can be manufactured out of various materials, including wood, ceramic, porcelain, etc. Obviously, you should go with the one that you like the most. The most popular material for building charcuterie boards is bamboo, a non-toxic and lightweight material that is practically immune to any stains and odors. Plus, it's strong enough to handle slicing cheese wedges directly on top of the board.
Ease of Cleaning
Another crucial element that you need to keep in mind is that every board has different care requirements. You will need to clean the charcuterie board after each use - this way, you will increase the overall lifespan and maintain the overall appearance. Therefore, if you don't like doing it the old-fashioned way, you should look for boards that can be thrown into the dishwasher. You can locate this info in the product description or product specification. Be sure to double-check because the dishwasher might cause irreversible damage to your charcuterie board if it isn't dishwasher-safe.
All of the suggestions on our list are not dishwasher safe, but don't worry because you can easily wash them in just a few seconds.
How Much Do Charcuterie Boards Cost?
Before heading out to shop for charcuterie boards, you should also declare the price you're willing to pay - this will assist in eliminating a lot of options that aren't anywhere near your budget. Most of the charcuterie boards available will cost you from as little as $20 and all up to $170 for the best-quality ones - this price will strongly vary depending on a few crucial things, including the manufacturer, size, and material.
How Did We Choose The Best Charcuterie Boards?
When determining the best charcuterie board to purchase, we explored various options available and took into account a couple of vital factors.
Ratings
Buyers from all over the world posted their honest reviews, so after countless hours of researching, we were capable of finding the most positive-rated charcuterie boards online.
Brand
When separating the good charcuterie boards from the bad ones, we've also taken into consideration the manufacturer. Some of the top-notch brands will always deliver the best possible quality for their loyal customers.
Value
There are a few charcuterie boards that will surely cost you a bag of money; we did our best to select quality products at the lowest prices.
How To Prepare A Charcuterie Board?
You can use different types of foods in order to prepare a charcuterie board. Meat and cheese are usually reserved for the central area, whereas any dried fruits and crackers are placed in partitions.
Dishes
Dishes help in creating the structure of the board. You can place small bowls and then add loose items like nuts and olives. Search for any type of salt boxes, ramekins, etc. - whatever you got will work perfectly.
Cheese
You should put out at least three different types of cheese, including hard cheese, soft cheese, and blue cheese. Different flavors and textures will enrich the board and give guests a wider range of options to taste. If you don't know what cheese to buy, just ask the store for pairing suggestions.
Meats
Include several varieties of gently sliced smoked meat, for instance, prosciutto, rillettes, saucisson sec, mortadella, genoa salami, Spanish chorizo, coppa, Jamon Iberico, etc. Settle them flat or arrange them in rolls so the guests can quickly pick them up. You can additionally add harder meats that the guest can cut themselves, like smoked sausage and salami.
Crackers
You will also need to place a couple of starchy sidekicks, mainly if the charcuterie board includes soft cheese and meat. There aren't any specific rules for this one, but we advise you to offer at least two kinds of crackers with different flavors.
Fruits
Fruits and vegetables will enhance the appearance and freshness of the charcuterie board. When you plan which items to add, be sure to consider foods that can be eaten whole or chopped into smaller slices. Some of the most popular are red grapes, pickles, radishes, and thyme. If you don't have any fresh greens available, you can add dried fruits like cherry, plum, and apricot.
Charcuterie Board FAQ
Q: How can you clean the charcuterie board?
A: A great way to begin the process of cleaning the charcuterie board is to rinse it off with hot water and a few drops of liquid soap. And afterward, if your charcuterie board is made out of wood, you can also add a thin layer of mineral oil for a beautiful shine.
Q: What is the most suitable charcuterie board for me?
A: Picking the most suitable charcuterie board will depend on your particular needs. If you're interested in purchasing one and don't know where to begin, then we firmly advise you to read our complete guide about charcuterie boards.
Q: How long do charcuterie boards last?
A: If you clean them properly and constantly, then you can expect your charcuterie boards to last at least 10 to 24 months. Some of the extravagant boards can last even longer.