Create A Charcuterie Board The French Way

Whenever possible, use as many seasonal and local products on your board as you can. zarzamora/Shutterstock

When it comes to charcuterie boards, the French don’t play games. Charcuterie—an assemblage of meat, cheese, spreads, bread, olives, dried fruit, and nuts all arranged on a wood plank—isn’t just something that can be thrown together at random. Once I moved in the US, I realized how french charcuterie board is, in fact, an art form.

From ingredients to serving techniques, there’s definitely a way to make a charcuterie board right, according to the French. While the final result may have a sense of effortlessness, it does, in fact, take a bit of effort to achieve that je ne sais quoi. Here’s how to make a charcuterie board any French person would approve of.

Use a Wood Cutting Board

To keep it authentically French, a wood board is the best way to go. They’re easier to use, easier to wash, and you don’t have to worry about scratching them with a knife. You can also go for marble cutting boards which I like because it matches the cheese!

Serve at Least Four Different Kinds of Cheeses

In general, you should always try to include a tangy option (for example, goat cheese), something soft and creamy (Brie or Camembert), something hard (Comté or Cheddar), and something strong enough to knock your socks off (blue cheese).