Charcuterie Boards Are Adult Lunchables
Have you ever noticed that charcuterie boards are the adult version of Lunchables? Let’s dive into this phenomenon that’s taken Millennials and Gen-Z’s by storm. And by no means am I above this, I am a HUGE sucker for a charcuterie board. They’re fun, easy to put together, delicious, and it’s great for large gatherings.
How We Got Here
So, Lunchables was started in 1985 by Oscar Meyer to sell more bologna. If we go back further, “In the 15th Century, the French created charcuterie, which involved using offal and all aspects of the meat. The traditional process of using salt to cure meats dates back to the Roman empire nearly 2,000 years ago..”
This trend has blown up over the past few years thanks to social media. Specifically, TikTok and Instagram. Charcuterie is traditionally constructed boards of meat and cheese. Today, there are many different variations of charcuterie spreads to present to your friends and family.
“As more regions have caught onto the trend of charcuterie as a popular option to serve friends and family, you might have begun to see Italian meats pop up more frequently on the charcuterie board. This might be a bit confusing, as charcuterie is known to be a French custom.
Put simply, charcuterie is a custom that comes from 15th century France in which meat is cured, sealed, and sliced to serve. But now, Italian meats are used in a similar concept called salumi. So, Charcuterie is French, but salumi is a similar practice that comes from Italy. Regardless of the region that this practice comes from, the concept is still the same. Cooked or cured meats are used to be thinly sliced, placed on a platter, and served in a variety.”
My Epiphany
One night, I was assembling a charcuterie board for a family dinner. I bought tons of assorted meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and bread. As I was putting together the board, I couldn’t help but feel like I had seen this before. For some reason, it didn’t click right away. When I was done assembling the board and stepped back to admire my work, I realized where I had seen this…. AH! It’s a giant Lunchable!
If you were a kid during the Lunchables era, you’ll remember the pure joy these small snack boxes brought. No wonder Millennials and Gen-Z’s are putting together elaborate charcuterie boards! It was a part of our childhood. The pure joy on people’s faces when they see charcuterie is contagious.
In some way, this might be a way for young adults to heal their inner child. Bringing back something that created so much joy back when we were kids makes sense now. Personally, I can’t help but feel so satisfied when I put together a charcuterie board. Taking the time to arrange everything in a pattern and admiring the art is *chef’s kiss.*
Why are they so fun?
So, why is it so enjoyable to put together a charcuterie board? Well, in short, it’s a creative way to display appetizers. Over time, it’s become a sub-culture of self-expression to show off creativity. The aesthetic side of charcuterie has taken over!
Personally, I know the hype around charcuterie may have become ridiculous. However, it really is a fun way to share snacks with friends and family. Everyone loves snacks, and everyone loves aesthetics. This combines the two, along with mixed nostalgia.
My favorite cheeses to put on a charcuterie board are burrata, manchego, Dubliner, goat cheese, and camembert. Anything with a bite or that spreads well with crackers is a must!
Make sure to have fun when putting together a charcuterie board. They’re always a showstopper piece to share, and it’s easy to put together to impress any crowd! Let me know in the comments what your favorite combinations are for charcuterie boards!
