Have you ever laid eyes on a painting depicting an ancient Medieval feast with guests gathered around a massive table of sumptuous food offerings and wished to be a part of such a luxurious affair? The next best option is to join the trendy and beloved grazing platter fad by opening a charcuterie business in partnership with Graze Craze.

Charcuterie is a delicious spread of cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, and other delicacies. It’s a perfect way for customers to entertain guests in an elegant and  big way or simply enjoy a relaxing evening at home.

As the top-ranked appetizer of the year, charcuterie boards have become a popular way to enjoy a variety of cured meats, cheeses, and other savory snacks. The beauty of charcuterie lies in its versatility; platters can be tailored to one’s liking or event and, most importantly, complemented with various accompaniments to enhance the overall charcuterie experience. Let’s explore some of the best charcuterie pairings you can offer your customers.

Meats and Cheese

Crafting a perfect meat and cheese pairing is a true art that can elevate the flavors, textures, and overall experience of a charcuterie board. Creating an ideal grazing platter involves selecting combinations that strike a perfect balance between flavor and texture. Some of the best combinations include:

  • Soft cheese like feta, mascarpone, and mozzarella
  • Semi-firm cheese like gouda, provolone, and mild cheddar cheese
  • Hard cheese like aged white cheddar
  • Blue cheese like cheddar blue, marbled blue jack, and gorgonzola
  • Fresh cheese like cream cheese and queso fresco

An example of meat selections can include:

  • Whole-muscle cuts like bresaola, coppa, prosciutto,
  • Forcemeats like chicken liver mousse, duck paté, and salmon rillettes
  • Cured sausages like chorizo, pepperoni, and salami

Sweet and Savory

After selecting meats and cheeses, it’s time to enhance the visual appeal and bring out the complementary flavors by adding sweet and savory accompaniments. For example, fruits like apples, figs, and grapes can refresh charcuterie boards and balance the saltiness of the meats and cheeses. Fresh bread and crackers can be added, as well as an assortment of flavorful olives, nuts, and gherkins, along with the balanced sweetness and savoriness of a spread like tangy stone ground mustard. These combinations create a delightful and well-rounded experience for your customers’ taste buds.

Wine Pairing

You might also suggest a wine as a perfect pairing for charcuterie boards. The general rule of thumb is to match the wine’s intensity with the meat’s intensity. For example, a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with a rich and savory salami. A light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc is better suited to milder meats like prosciutto.

Why Choose a Graze Craze Grazing Platter Business?

Opening a charcuterie business with Graze Craze is a fantastic franchise opportunity that prepares prospective owners for success. As the #1 charcuterie business franchise, we don’t compromise on the quality of fresh ingredients we use – which is why we have an established and loyal following in the communities we serve.

In addition to leveraging our well-established brand name, our franchisees benefit from the extensive training and ongoing support we provide so they can offer affordable, unique solutions and catering services for any event, regardless of how big or small it is – while tapping into multiple revenue streams.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to charcuterie pairings as a Grazeologist! Join our innovative team and impress your customers with some of the best combinations!

 

To learn more about charcuterie pairings and our unique business opportunity, contact us today!