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Some Say Butter Boards Are Out Of Control, But Others Say They’re Genius

There are several things to consider regarding butter boards on TikTok, but they are just as controversial as talking about politics over dinner. On the one hand, legions of influencers construct beautiful butter boards decorated with edible flowers and herbs. Critics argue that butter boards are unhealthy and illogical.

Butter Boards: What Are They?

Butter boards are made from softened butter and are usually wooden. Several influencers use honey, cinnamon, walnuts, and roasted garlic as toppings for their butter. They dip crostini, crackers, and pretzel rolls into butter and enjoy.

Image Credit: Shutterstock/DyrElena

It All Begins With Cheese And Charcuterie Boards

For years, cheese and charcuterie boards have been popular. Influencers naturally branched out to try their hand at serving on committees, hoping to become internet famous. The popularity of charcuterie boards on TikTok soared, but their popularity has since waned.

Butter Boards: Their History

Butter boards are first known to have appeared in Joshua McFadden’s 2017 cookbook Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables. Despite winning a James Beard Award for its cookbook, the butter board languished for five years in obscurity. Recipe developer Justine Doiron made McFadden’s butter boards on TikTok, declaring butter boards the new charcuterie.

Image Credit: Shutterstock/eugenehill

How Genius Are Butter Boards?

The food blogger Isabelle Cheng strongly supports butter boards. She said, “Butter boards are undeniably genius. We’ve all been in a situation where we’re served cold butter — you destroy your bread trying to get the cold butter to spread. Butter boards take care of that.”

Chen warns critics: “The future is coming, and you will be left behind if you are not on the team butter board.”

Is Butter Going To Overtake Charcuterie In Popularity?

Aaron Menitoff, CEO of Boarderie, believes there will never be a substitute for a classic charcuterie board. Menitoff said, “People like variety on a grazing table. They want to see lots of colors and textures. They want to experience a unique variety of tastes and bites.”

It’s hard to replicate with other food boards, especially butter, and may be used to introduce new flavors to butter board fans, or it might be an epidemic of clogged arteries.