What Does Charcuterie Mean?

Charcuterie is a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit, primarily from pork. Charcuterie is part of the garde manger chef's repertoire.

What does charcuterie literally translate to?

Charcuterie, the branch of cooking devoted to prepared meats, is the result of humans' need to preserve meat before refrigeration was invented. The word is derived from the somewhat disturbing-sounding French term “chair cuit,” which means “cooked flesh.”

What does charcuterie board mean?

In the French tradition, charcuterie (pronounced "shahr-ku-tuh-ree") is the art of preparing and assembling cured meats and meat products. ... A charcuterie board is an assortment of meats, cheeses, artisan breads, olives, fruit, and nuts, all artfully arranged on a serving board.