Fitchburg, Wis.-based Emmi Roth offers a variety of formats of its Roth and Emmi cheeses – and, to complement them, trending ingredients like hummus and fondus – for cheese mongers and others to include in their holiday boards and trays, said Kaitie Hackett, Emmi Roth category manager.

According to Datassential menu data cited by Emmi Roth, the most popular charcuterie ingredients are crackers, cheddar and Swiss cheese, but more specialty cheeses like smoked gouda and complementary items like figs are gaining ground quickly.

In addition to traditional gouda, Hackett said, Emmi Roth offers smoked and aged goudas.

“We’ve also seen more recent trends of using fondue on boards or building a chevre board, which are both cheeses that are great for the holidays,” she said.

Trays and boards continue to be a popular party option during the holidays and for other special occasions, Hackett said, citing the National Restaurant Association Top 10 Hot Trends list for 2023, which includes charcuterie.

Source: Emmi Roth

According to the same group’s State of Industry 2023 report, hummus is the fastest-growing ingredient used in charcuterie.

In response to demand from its customers, Emmi Roth’s Athenos label has launched a creamier recipe for its hummus, featuring flavors that pair well with expanded cheese and charcuterie flavors, Hackett said.

“Athenos Zesty Lemon and Supremely Spicy are a few of the new flavors consumers can use to build an on-trend board at home.”

Garlic, berries, flatbread and dried fruit are among the other complementary items for holiday boards that Emmi Roth is tracking closely. “Our sales and marketing teams and corporate chef are continually monitoring consumer and industry trends, including menu and retail data, to help us identify new flavor and other product innovations,” Hackett said.

This article is an excerpt from the August 2023 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the full Boards & Trays feature and more in the digital edition here.