Charcuterie 101: How do I garnish my board?

Welcome to the Board Tour— a blog where we explore the world of charcuterie and share some of our favorite artisanal cheeses, tips, and tricks. Charcuterie 101 is our 5-part series focused on the building blocks behind the craft. Fom choosing your cheeses to incorporating the elements of design, we’ll cover everything you need to know about creating your own board.

by: Lauren Barker | owner/cheese artist

Let’s talk garnishes! From fresh herbs to edible gold flakes, this final step in the arranging process can really transform your board into a decadent masterpiece. Continue reading to learn Cheese Garden’s go-to garnishes and tips on styling them in your next creation.

Fresh herbs

Herbs are a staple piece for every board I arrange. The vibrant pops of green bring a sense of freshness to a charcuterie spread and make for an eye-catching contrast against the reds and pinks of cured meats. Try dispersing them throughout your design to keep the color profile on your board balanced. My all time favorite arranging herbs are:

• Sage

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• Lavender

Rosemary sprigs can be placed in between overlaid slices of cheese to give a white section of your board a little pop of color. They’re also the perfect finishing touch for a holiday board if you’re looking to capture a Christmas tree aesthetic. Thyme is ideal for weaving through a guiding line of cheese or framing a centerpiece since it’s so delicate and flexible. Meanwhile, sage and lavender provide a more muted shade of green if you’re aiming for a softer look.

Tip: Dress up your salami rose by giving it a couple sage leaves.

Edible flowers

Fresh or dried, adding a few flowers to your board can be a great way to throw in a splash of color or capture a certain seasonal feel. I personally love the look of florals on a board anywhere from mid spring to early fall. Just be mindful to only use food-safe flowers as they will be touching your other ingredients. Some edible flowers to work with include:

• Roses

• Violets

• Hibiscus

• Sunflowers

• Calendulas

• Nasturtiums

• Pansies

Tip: Try jazzing up a log of goat cheese with this dried flower petal blend.

A little glitter, anyone?

For more ornate boards, I have a stash of edible gold flakes I like to whip out. These flakes shine brightest atop a wheel of Brie, almost like decorating a cake. A little bit goes a long way when it comes to placing these and I highly recommend using tweezers to place the flakes as they tend to bond rather quickly to whatever they come in contact with. 

Gold flakes add an extra dash of decadence to a wheel of Brie.

The last slice

• Garnishing a charcuterie board is where the magic happens, transforming an arrangement of fine meats and cheeses into an edible masterpiece. From fresh herbs to a touch of gold, this is where you can truly let your creativity shine. Next time you’re wondering what garnishes to adorn your board with, remember to:
  

• Weave in some fresh herbs

• Look for edible flowers

• Crown a centerpiece with some golden flakes

And, as always, don’t be afraid to experiment!