As April showers fade and May flowers bloom, picnic season bursts into full swing. And what better centerpiece for a picnic than a beautiful and delicious charcuterie board? But let’s not stop at just cheese and meats; the true magic of the charcuterie board lies in its pairings. Enter Mesa Iberica – a comprehensive line of fruit spreads, nuts, and dried fruit cakes that will be the highlight of any cheeseboard.

Picture this: a slice of crusty bread topped with creamy brie, adorned with a dollop of Mesa Iberica Apricot Spread, and finished with some caramelized walnuts for that perfect crunch. Or perhaps a delicate wedge of Mesa Iberica Fig & Almond Cake transporting a slice of Manchego to your taste buds. Both options are equally delicious and embody the essence of charcuterie boards – why settle for one flavor at a time when you can orchestrate a symphony of flavors?

Let’s take a page from Remy’s book (yes, the little rat from Pixar’s Ratatouille). In this iconic scene, he tries cheese alone, then a fresh strawberry alone – both great, but the magic happens when he combines the two. While we have yet to launch a strawberry spread, Mesa Iberica offers 5 equally delightful spreads to take your cheese experience to the next level.

Mesa Iberica Fruit Spreads

These pantry staples are crafted in sun-swept Portugal, with no artificial flavors or preservatives. Made primarily with fresh fruit and the smallest amount of sugar possible, their sweetness relies on the ripeness of the fruit they are made of. In fact, they contain so little sugar, they had to legally be called spreads, instead of jams!

Mesa Iberica spreads aren’t just a must-have for charcuterie boards and picnic baskets, they’re perfect on some morning toast for breakfast or in a sandwich.

• Fig Spread (#342126) – The rich, round flavor of figs is a natural complement to zippy fresh goat cheese or rich brie. Pair it with Montchevre or Ermitage Double Crème Brie and some prosciutto or make it the star of a prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich.
• Apricot Spread (#342127) – Where classic Apricot jams contain over 60% sugar, Mesa Iberica’s Apricot spread clocks in at 45% to let the fruit’s flavor shine. Pair it with a washed rind cheese like Taleggio, or dolloped on a rich triple crème such as Saint Angel.
• Cherry Spread (#342128) – Candied bits of cherry bring a delightful texture to this intensely fruity spread. It pairs particularly well with citrusy sheep’s milk cheeses such as Petit Basque and Aged Manchego.
• Apple, Raisin & Cinnamon Spread (#342129) – This chunky spread mirrors the taste of the filling of a homemade apple pie, enhanced by the presence of soft, juicy raisins. While the cinnamon flavor remains gentle, it highlights the spicy and nutty notes of the cheese you pair it with. Dollop it on a slice of aged Gouda such as Artikaas 8-Month Gouda or apply it on a Cheddar Grilled Cheese.
• Pear Spread (#342130) – Mellow and aromatic with notes of vanilla and spice, Mesa Iberica Pear Spread pairs beautifully with blue cheeses, such as a British Stilton or French Fourme d’Ambert.

Mesa Iberica Nuts

Nuts bring a medley of flavors and textures when it comes to charcuterie boards. Not only do these tiny powerhouses bring crunchiness and creaminess to the occasion but are the ultimate finger food. Honestly, you could even ditch the charcuterie all together and just stick to the nuts, they’re the ultimate on-the-go snack. But, since we’re on the topic of pairings, Mesa Iberica offers nuts that best complement the cheese on your board – you’ll want to merchandise them in your cheese section or on top of your cheese case, not just the snack and nuts aisle.

• Marcona Almonds (#342133) – Unlike the classic almonds you see on shelves, these are sure to catch buyers’ attention. Fried in olive oil and lightly seasoned with salt, Marcona Almonds have a plump, short shape and a moist, delicate texture. As a mainstay of Spanish tapas, pair these almonds with a Spanish cheese such as Manchego.
• Cocoa Dusted Almonds (#342134) – Lightly coated with a chocolate ganache and dusted with dark cocoa powder, these almonds are crunchy, sweet and slightly bitter. They make a cheeky addition to a cheese board. Pair them with chunks of Parmigiano Reggiano to draw out the nutty flavor of the king of cheese.
• Caramelized Pecans (#342136) – Nutty, creamy pecans meet an extra thin shell of caramel to form a sweet, crunchy and savory morsel. They make a sophisticated addition to grazing boards, especially as a topping on baked camembert.
• Caramelized Walnuts (#342137) – Covered with an extra thin layer of light caramel, these walnuts boast and earthy richness and crunch. Place them next to some goat cheese such as Goat Moliterno on your cheese board, toss them into some yogurt for breakfast or eat them alone as a snack.

Mesa Iberica Dried Fruits & Nuts Cake

Also known as tortas, dried fruit and nuts cakes are a traditional delicacy from Spain. Rich, chewy, sweet, and incredibly versatile, they’re often enjoyed as a dessert, snack, or cubed and thrown into salads. We like to take a different approach and place them on our charcuterie boards. Given their sweet character and crunchy texture, they pair well with just about any cheese.

• Fig & Almond – Made with plump dried figs and crunchy almonds, it has a delightful texture and full, fruity flavor. We recommend spreading some Montchevre on top to complement the figs. Available in both food service (#342101) and retail sizes (#342123).
• Apricot & Almond – Made with simple, natural ingredients: dried apricots and crunchy almonds, place it next to some Saint Angel on your charcuterie board. Available in both food service (#342102) and retail (#342124) sizes.
• Date & Walnut – Sweet dates and crisp walnuts come together to make this mouthwatering torta. Serve it on a cured meats board or top a slice of Manchego for a beautiful contrast. Available only in food service size (#342103).