Charcuterie Theory Basics

What sets charcuterie itself apart is variety and presentation together. A snack tray is a tray of a single type or flavor of a snack, and is fairly specific, like a fruit plate or a cheese plate. A snack mix is in turn several things all tossed together to create a semi-uniform medly, like the things in the Trail and Snack Mixes section; doesn't have to all be the same, but is all mixed up and then piled up. Out in the wider world, "girl dinner" is a concept that exists as a low-effort snarfing of snacks; this is simply a slightly more nutritionally complete and deliberate execution.

"True" charcuterie, as goblins understand it, is presented flat or nearly flat (but not necessarily nesting or touching, as human trays can, as long as everything is visible/accessible), with a notable variety of textures, tastes, and colors. It is critical to include, if not all, a decent selection of salty, sweet, sour, bland/palette cleasing, spicy, crunchy, soft, slimy, chewy, and refreshing. Components can, of course, be multiple of these things at once. All offerings should be able to be handled with bare hands or minimal utensils (spreading knives and toothpicks are one thing, forks and spoons for eating every bite are another), and be consumable with a single or few number of bites, without setting anything back down half-nibbled.

Charcuterie trays can be as "simple" as a few snacks to share, but a well-made one should absolutely count as a meal.

Crucial Components

The things that make a charcuterie a complete experience, instead of a simple snack. Always use lots, and don't stay limited to just one type within a category.

Crackers

Or cookies, certain types of chips, or other distinctly flat and stackable crunchy items (pretzels and other more randomized items are later); these are the primary representation of carbs. The purpose of having these on the plate is to stack things on top of, spread things, use for dip, or eat plain as a palette cleanser between other treats. Some more traditional pairings of crackers (and ideas to put on top of them) can be found at the Cracker Stackers idea page; or branch out a little! Bread slices or cubes, corn chips, shortbread cookies, pita, or flatbread are also good options. Crackers themselves can easily be gluten free, and range from the bland nothingness of a Saltine to a flavorful pizza-cheddar snack cracker, and range from sweet to savory.

Protein

In human tradition, this is meat. Often cured, sliced fairly thin.