

Charcuterie Boards!
Explore Mother Nature's Liquid Gold
Every party needs a gathering place - let that be your grazing board! Charcuterie boards, versitile appetizers displayed on a board platform, enhance entertainment by offering an interactive and versatile dining experience. Honey provides a much-needed acidity and texture to balance out the sweets, rich cheeses and savory meats. It acts as a "bridge" between different components, complementing flavors from mild cheddar to sharp blue cheese, as well as enhancing fruits and nuts on the board.
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Like wine grapes from different regions, honey derives its character from its floral source, offering unique characteristics shaped by its environment. As such, honey varietals can be paired with food accompaniments to enhance the flavor of those foods. You will engage more of your senses while enjoying the multiple layers of flavors.
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A great charcuterie board includes a balanced selection of cured meats, cheeses, crackers/bread, fruits, nuts, and dips/jams/honey for variety in flavor and texture. To build your board, select at least one of each category, then arrange them on a large board, starting with bowls and larger items like cheese and meat, filling the gaps with smaller accompaniments.
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Key Components to Include:
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Cheeses: Offer a range of hard and soft options, like Cheddar, Gouda, Brie, and Goat cheese.
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Crackers & Bread: Include different types like crackers, baguette slices, or pretzel crisps to serve as a base for the meats and cheeses.
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Fresh & Dried Fruits: Add colorful options like apples, grapes, berries, figs, and dried apricots to provide a sweet contrast.
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Nuts: Provide a crunchy element with nuts such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
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Dips & Spreads: Include sweet and savory condiments like fruit preserves, honey, mustard, or hummus to enhance the board's flavors.
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Pickled Items: Add tangy cornichons, pickles, or olives to provide a briny contrast.
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Cured Meats: Choose a variety of types, such as Prosciutto, Salami, and Chorizo for different textures and flavors. ​​
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Assembly Tips
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Start with the Board:
Choose a large board, a marble slab, or a wooden board as your base.
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Add Bowls:
Place small bowls for dips, nuts, or olives on the board first to create structure and anchor the arrangement.
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Arrange Cheeses & Meats:
Start by placing the larger items, such as whole cheeses and folded meats, throughout the board.
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Fill the Gaps:
Fill in the remaining spaces with crackers, bread, and smaller items like fruits and nuts.
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Consider Color and Texture:
Aim for visual appeal by varying the colors, heights, and textures of the items on the board.
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Serve with Utensils:
Ensure you provide appropriate knives for cheeses and spoons for dips and jams.
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Just Iowa Honey Liquid Gold and Other Companions
Our sampler packs, small hex jars and honeycomb, along with our honey dippers, give you an opportunity to showcase your entertaining skills! Our varietal honeys will supplement your quintessential culinary experience for your friends and family! We will be adding a Pairing Tips card to your purchase once we receive our print order on September 22nd! A honey sommelier provided cheese and fruit pairing recommendations on our Black Locust and LInden varietal, and we will share that information on our tips card.
Here are links to our product line that would make the addition of a sweet treat on your serving board so effortless! Double click the gallery for a better viewpoint!
Also see our RESOURCE section below the picture gallery. ​​
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Resources
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Iowa Cheeses: Milton Creamery
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​Iowa Cheeses: Lost Lake Farms
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Iowa Meats: La Quercia (buy at Hy-Vee)​
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Global Cheeses: Cheese Shop of Des Moines​
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Charcuterie Boards - I've bought at least 6 boards from this store!
