Meet Nibel, the Model Behind Instagram's Most Stunning, and Completely Vegan, Charcuterie Boards

We’re in the course of a charcuterie renaissance. Platters of meats, cheeses, and fruits have been loved since Europe’s Center Ages, however in the previous couple of years, charcuterie boards have seen a social media-driven revival. They’re extra extravagant, extra stunning, and extra scrumptious than ever earlier than—particularly once they’re vegan.

Of their conventional format, charcuterie boards are removed from vegan-friendly (the phrase “charcuterie” actually interprets to cooked flesh). However like every part in 2023, these meat- and cheese-laden platters aren’t with out their vegan counterpart. Los Angeles-based Nibel, launched by married couple Lucas Dudley and Lubomir Jordan earlier this yr, affords arguably among the most aesthetically pleasing charcuterie on Instagram, they usually’re all made with one hundred pc plant-based elements.

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Introducing Nibel: vegan, cruelty-free, gorgeous charcuterie

On TikTok, movies with titles like “Charcuterie Board Targets,” “The Final Charcuterie Board,” and “My Boujee Board,” have tens of millions of views, as content material creators compete to take advantage of aesthetically pleasing unfold. Analysis additionally means that greater than 50 p.c of People now perceive what a charcuterie board really is, which is up 15 p.c from 2021. And of those that have tried them, round three-quarters say they loved the expertise.

Dudley and Jordan have been early adopters of the charcuterie board revival; they have been followers of the sharing platter lengthy earlier than they determined to go vegan. However 4 years in the past, after they adopted their canine Lemon, they not noticed indulging in conventional charcuterie meats and cheeses as an pleasurable expertise. “Animals in meals have been not interesting to us,” they advised VegNews. However they weren’t able to let go of charcuterie fully.

“We had taken a visit to Large Sur, and wished to get pleasure from a picnic with some charcuterie and wine,” they mentioned. “So we researched and put collectively some plant-based meats and cheeses and created our personal vegan charcuterie board whereas having fun with the ocean views. It dawned on us that there was an enormous deficiency within the vegan charcuterie market.”

That was step one in direction of creating Nibel, which now affords two variations of vegan charcuterie board for supply in Los Angeles. There’s Noir, which is designed for 2 folks to get pleasure from, and is “darkish, refined, and layered, with fruit and smoke parts” and Blanc, which may cater to as much as 10 folks, and is “mild, energetic, and pure, with bitter notes and salty parts.” Each might be made gluten-free and can be delivered to your door, introduced in a field.

With the model’s charcuterie, the flavour and presentation are simply as necessary as its overarching message: indulgence doesn’t should contain animals. 

“We envision a world the place selecting plant-based isn’t seen as a sacrifice however somewhat as a culinary journey with intentional and nourishing choices. Our motto has all the time been, ‘You’ll be able to’t argue with love,’ and among the most compassionate folks don’t eat animals,” the co-founders mentioned.

We spoke with the co-founders to search out out extra about Nibel, their plans for the way forward for the model, and their prime ideas for creating your personal vegan charcuterie board from house.

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VegNews: Nibel creates stunning, aesthetically pleasing vegan charcuterie boards. However after all, the standard and taste of the elements are necessary, too. How do you choose the proper merchandise?

Lucas Dudley and Lubomir Jordan: We now have tried and taste-tested virtually each vegan cheese and meat there may be. We deal with high quality and craftsmanship, and our companions make merchandise in small batches with a lot of love and intention. It was additionally essential to us to have a good time suggestions from all nibblers on what cheese flavors and textures they like. Our greatest studying lesson was the suggestions from non-vegans!

VN: Charcuterie has, after all, been round for hundreds of years, and in order it’s rising in recognition once more now, many have preconceived concepts about what it ought to look and style like. How do you deal with misconceptions concerning the taste and number of vegan charcuterie?

LD and LJ: We imagine making a change is to disrupt the narrative and supply a unique perspective. Recreating what’s historically thought of the least animal-friendly dish, meat and cheese, and flipping it to serve aware eaters. We wished to maintain the normal French-style sense of charcuterie and supply the identical satisfaction however with one essential guideline: every part is cruelty-free. We work with superb distributors that provide elevated vegan kinds of meats and cheeses, akin to truffle brie, sharp cheddar, smokey gouda, aged blue, and rather more. We undoubtedly wished to interrupt the misperception that vegan choices are usually largely unexciting greens. 

VN: Nibel’s charcuterie boards are undoubtedly removed from unexciting. Is the artistic factor simply as necessary to you because the style?

LD and LJ: It’s undoubtedly an integral a part of the narrative we share with our prospects—a narrative of creativity, sustainability, and the enjoyment of savoring scrumptious, plant-based meals. As a pair deeply immersed in artwork, vogue, and design, we see cooking as an extension of our creative endeavors the place colours and textures come collectively.

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VN: We will’t wait to see the place this journey takes you. Are you able to inform us what’s subsequent for you and Nibel?

LD and LJ: The chances actually are infinite. Whereas we’re retaining a few of our thrilling growth below wraps to keep up a component of shock, we will share a glimpse into our future endeavors. We’re actively exploring alternatives to develop our infrastructure. Our focus is on discovering companions who align, and share our dedication to sustainability, creativity, and the transformative energy of plant-based residing. Moreover, we’re thrilled to embark on a journey of making our personal in-house model. Beginning with meals, we purpose to craft an expertise that extends past the edible, participating all of the senses.

Find out how to create your personal vegan charcuterie board: Lucas and Lubomir’s prime ideas

For those who’re feeling impressed, you may, after all, deal with your self to one in every of Nibel’s vegan boards. However if you wish to experiment your self, too, the co-founders are more than pleased to supply their skilled recommendation. “We will confidently say texture, colour, and distinction in taste are the key tips to a really interesting and elevated unfold,” the co-founders say. Listed below are a few of their prime ideas for creating one of the best vegan charcuterie board your folks and family members have ever seen or tasted.

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1 Distinction flavors

“Against this in taste, we imply candy to salty ratio. What makes conventional charcuterie nice is the excessive taste distinction of candy fruits and jams paired with savory cheeses, olives, cornichons, and so on.”

2 Take into consideration colour and texture

“A veiny aged blue cheese may be very attractive when paired with darkish grapes and maroon flowers or bluish thistle and botany. On the flip facet, a creamy gouda is gorgeous when embellished with herb stems and deep inexperienced florals.”

3 Have enjoyable with it

“We come from a design and artwork background so we deal with every field as such! Taking part in with colours and including florals will make any charcuterie unfold the star of the social gathering. It tells an edible story and the enjoyable half about placing flavors and textures and colour collectively is that you just get to write down it.”

For extra on the best way to create your personal scrumptious, vegan unfold, comply with our information to the last word vegan charcuterie board.

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