In short: to choose a Christmas charcuterie gift box, start from the number of guests: 3 cured meats for 2 to 4 people, 4 or 5 for 4 to 6, an XXL box for a big table. Allow 50 to 80 g per person for an aperitif, then choose by taste: French terroir, Spain or spicy.
A charcuterie gift box is the present everyone agrees on: it's made for sharing, can be enjoyed straight away and takes you travelling. You still need to choose the right one. Here's how to find the perfect Christmas charcuterie gift box, based on the number of guests, the recipient's tastes and your budget.
1. For how many people?
That's the first question to ask. For an aperitif, allow 50 to 80 g of charcuterie per person, more for a finger-food dinner.
- 2 to 4 people: a small box of 3 cured meats is enough, like our Mini Box Apéro.
- 4 to 6 people: aim for 4 or 5 products, for example the Box Classique or the Box Gourmand.
- A big table: you need volume, with a ham taco or quarter. That's the idea behind the Box XXL, designed for about ten people.
2. Mild or bold?
Not everyone likes the same flavours. For a classic palate, go for saucisson sec, Catalan fuet and mild chorizo. For a lover of bold flavours, add spicy chorizo and a longer-aged ham: that's the idea of the Box Caractère. For a connoisseur, choose noble cuts such as lomo, the cured pork loin found in the Box Charcuterie Fine.
3. France, Spain... or both?
French charcuterie means saucisson sec and Auvergne ham: bold flavours and a hearty bite. Spanish charcuterie brings the paprika of chorizo, the finesse of Catalan fuet and the mildness of Serrano ham. Mixing the two guarantees a varied board. For die-hard fans of Spain, the Box Ibérique is 100% Spanish.
4. Quality signs to check
A beautiful box is not enough: what's inside is what counts. Four simple benchmarks:
- European labels: PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) guarantees origin and a set of specifications, as for Auvergne ham or chorizo. TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) certifies a traditional recipe and method, as for Serrano ham.
- Ageing time: the longer a ham is aged, the more aromas it develops. An 18 to 24-month Serrano is nothing like a standard Serrano.
- Ingredient list: the shorter the better. Our PGI chorizos contain only pork, paprika, garlic and salt.
- Natural casing and artisan production: a saucisson handmade in small batches shows in its texture and taste.
Competition medals are also a good sign: our dry sausages won a Silver Medal and a Bronze Medal at the Concours Général Agricole.
5. For an exceptional gift: the whole ham
To mark the occasion, nothing beats a whole ham. Boneless and delivered vacuum-packed, it's easy to slice and nothing is wasted. Depending on the budget: a mountain-aged Auvergne PGI ham, a Gold Medal farmhouse ham, or the ultimate, a 100% Iberian jamón Bellota aged 36 months.
6. Order early
Dry-cured meats keep well: the best-before date is on every product. You can therefore order your Christmas gifts a few weeks ahead and avoid the December rush. We deliver to mainland France, Corsica and throughout the European Union.
The recap
- For a couple or a small aperitif: Mini Box Apéro.
- For a gift that can't go wrong: Box Classique or Box Signature, our most complete box with 7 cured meats.
- For a lover of bold flavours: Box Caractère.
- For a fan of Spain: Box Ibérique.
- For a big family: Box XXL.
- For an exceptional gift: a whole boneless ham.
All our boxes are here: charcuterie gift boxes.
Frequently asked questions
How much charcuterie per person?
50 to 80 g for an aperitif, more if the aperitif replaces the meal.
Will a charcuterie box keep until Christmas?
Yes, if it contains dry-cured meats like ours. Just check the date on each product, and keep them cool once opened.
What is the best charcuterie box for a connoisseur?
A box with noble, long-aged pieces: lomo, aged Serrano ham, artisan saucisson. To go further, an exceptional whole ham.
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