Consumers encouraged to make this year's
holiday charcuterie board the best one yet
HAYWARD,
Calif., Nov. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While
no one holiday gathering is the same, certain traditional elements
are consistent with parties this time of year. Lights and
decorations adorn roofs, walls and fixtures, surrounded by beloved
friends and family in the warmth of an inviting home. And of
course, what holiday party is complete without an appetizing spread
of delicious food?
Charcuterie has become an integral part of holiday celebrations
for people throughout the country, as charcuterie boards —
consisting of meat, cheese, acid, crunch and a "wow" factor — are
especially popular this time of year. The charcuterie experts at
Columbus, a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), are
well aware of this emerging phenomenon, and as experts, they have
their collective finger on the pulse of what's trending in this
space.
"We know more than three-quarters of those who have tried
charcuterie love it," said Sean
McNeil, senior brand manager for the
Columbus® brand. "On social media, the visually
appealing and engaging nature of charcuterie shines as trending
content. There are 2.5 billion #charcuterie hashtags on TikTok, and
there are 3.3 million #charcuterie posts on Instagram. And
according to research from Exploding Topics, online consumer
searches for 'charcuterie board' continue to spike, up 800% in five
years."
With the holiday season upon us, now is the time to explore the
latest charcuterie trends to enable consumers to take their holiday
boards to the next level.
"Charcuterie is a staple at holiday events and parties, and for
good reason," said Evan Inada,
charcuterie director at Columbus. "Charcuterie boards are easy to
assemble, and it's a great opportunity to get creative and try
something new."
Consider the following tips and tricks from Inada and his team
of experts:
- WOW THE CROWD: Make your holiday board memorable with
engaging elements that will impress your guests, providing not only
delicious flavors, but an unforgettable experience as well.
Consider adding chocolate or even leftover Halloween candy to the
mix. Sweet and spicy candied ginger is another potential addition
that provides an element of surprise to any charcuterie bite.
- BRING THE HEAT: Use a flame to introduce a brulee of
cheese, such as brie or goat cheese, to your holiday board.
Consider adding "heat" in the spicy sense, too. The "Sun Kissed"
combination — just one of a wide selection of Perfect Charcuterie
Bites developed by the Columbus® brand team —
marries the heat of Columbus® hot capicolla with
the buttery flavor of a young Mahón cheese and a slightly charred
fresh pineapple spear.
- EASY ON THE EYE: Charcuterie is meant to be an
experience. While taste is perhaps the foremost part of that
experience, presentation is also important. Use of food molds,
cutouts with knives, and cookie cutters can add eye-pleasing
elements to a holiday board. Try adding a festive centerpiece, too,
like Santa or a snowman. Make it fun!
- DON'T FORGET THE DRINKS: Cocktail and mocktail pairings
help enhance the flavors in salumi and accoutrements, making it
ideal for holiday parties. Entertaining expert Paul Zahn, TV host and cocktail guru, recommends
a dry lemon martini or perhaps a pear elderflower non-alcoholic
spritz to pair with the Bold and Bleu bite. Certain meats also pair
best with particular types of beer or whiskey, as the
Columbus® brand team demonstrated earlier this
year. The pairing options are endless. Said Zahn: "Pairing
beverages with your holiday charcuterie is the perfect way to
elevate any soiree!"
Need more charcuterie inspiration? Many Perfect Charcuterie
Bites are available on the Columbus® Craft Meats
website, all of which encourage aspiring charcutiers to try
something unique and draw new inspiration for their own board
making.
"Our Perfect Charcuterie Bite recipes have a balance of savory,
acidic and sweet flavors, and complementary textures, so the
flavors come together to create something magical that's greater
than the sum of its parts," Inada said. "Whether you're new to
charcuterie or a seasoned charcutier, our team at Columbus aspires
to be a resource for everyone around the holidays to make sure this
year's charcuterie board is the best one yet."
For more information on Columbus® products,
including more charcuterie tips and where to buy, visit
columbuscraftmeats.com.
About Columbus Craft Meats
Founded in 1917 by Italian
immigrants in San Francisco,
Columbus produces premium salumi and deli meats sold in grocery
deli departments nationwide. The company's products are made
authentically from traditional recipes that bring out the bold,
unique flavors of the finest cuts of meat, making the brand a
leader in today's market. More information can be found at
columbuscraftmeats.com.
About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired
Food.™ Hormel Foods Corporation, based in
Austin, Minn., is a global branded
food company with over $12 billion in
annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands
include Planters®, Skippy®,
SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®,
Applegate®,
Justin's®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black
Label®, Columbus®,
Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands.
The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P
500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's
Best Employers" list by Forbes
magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired
companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list
by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and
accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service
efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired
People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the
world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe.
For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.
Contact:
|
Media
Relations
|
|
Hormel Foods
|
|
media@hormel.com
|
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/experts-at-columbus-craft-meats-welcome-the-holiday-season-with-insight-on-latest-charcuterie-trends-301999175.html
SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation; Columbus