FAQs
Swiss tradition
What is the etiquette for eating cheese fondue? ›
Cheese fondue is eaten with a long-handled fondue fork, one fork per guest. Cubed bread is speared and dipped into sauce served in a communal pot. Because the sauce is shared by everyone at the table, and the fork is redipped into the sauce many times, the tines of the fork do not pierce the cubes all the way through.
How do the Swiss eat fondue? ›
Bread is the main accompaniment, although boiled potatoes, charcuterie, and cornichons or other pickles can also be served. Veggies, fruit, and boiled eggs are not traditionally used in Swiss fondue. Take a piece of bread and spear it firmly on your fondue fork so that the crust is on the outside.
How do the French eat fondue? ›
The word fondue is a French word meaning melted which is derived from the verb Fondre (to melt). A cheese fondue is normally cooked on a portable stove brought to the table to create a sociable meal of dipping pieces of bread on long forks into the delicious melted cheese and wine mixture.
What is the Swiss tradition to have with your fondue? ›
Accompaniments often include potatoes, cornichon, and pickled pearl onions. Accompanying beverages are white wine, tea, and occasionally a glass of kirsch. Although locals consider fondue a main course, you'll be able to enjoy it as an entree or an appetizer as you dine in the Swiss Alps.
What do Swiss drink with fondue? ›
Don't drink anything but these 3 beverages: Sip only white wine, kirsch, or a tisane of herbal tea with your fondue meal. According to Swiss lore, any other drink—be it water, juice, or beer—will cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leaving you with debilitating indigestion.
How do you serve and eat fondue? ›
As a host, remind everyone that the proper way to eat fondue is to use the long fondue fork to dip and then place the dipper on your small plate. Then use your dinner fork to eat your dippers. To keep your dinner party germs and contaminants free, no one should eat directly from the fondue fork.
What is the difference between Swiss fondue and French fondue? ›
In Switzerland, the main ingredients are Gruyère and vacherin from Fribourg, in equal parts (it is called, fittingly, 'moitié – moitié'). In France, it is often made from French cheeses like Comté, Beaufort and Emmental - which is the recipe for the classic Fondue Savoyarde, from the Alpine region of Savoie.
Do Swiss people like fondue? ›
Fondue in Switzerland may seem clichéd, but it is indelibly woven into the country's fabric. For centuries, Swiss living in the mountains relied on fondue as a way to use bread and cheese during colder months. Today, it is a must-have for any local or visitor to the country from autumn to spring.
What is normally served with fondue? ›
Bread, Crackers, and Chips
Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue. There are many excellent options to choose from. French bread, breadsticks, and croutons are always favorites, but also consider multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, and even bagels.
Some Swiss break an egg in the bottom of the fondue pot and stir it in with the cheese to help remove the remaining bits. The result is a cheesy scrambled egg of sorts that helps clean out the caquelon. It's delicious, but not all regions in Switzerland follow this tradition.
Why do you put alcohol in cheese fondue? ›
Flavour is added from the wine and the Kirsch, they also to and extent reduce the risk of the fondue curdling. However the acid in the wine also helps to stop the fondue from being stringy by breaking up the protein chains in the cheese.
What is the national dish of Switzerland? ›
The Swiss answer to potato lakes or hash browns, rosti is the national dish of Switzerland. Thinly slices potatoes are fried in oil. The classic rosti is only potato, but you'll also find eggs, bacon, apple, and cheese mixed in. Pair rosti with eggs or breakfast sausages for a hearty, traditional Swiss meal.
What is the etiquette for eating fondue? ›
Fondue rules
You must not double dip, and never put your fork directly into your mouth. You can grab it off with just your teeth, but the best way is to slide it onto your plate and use a regular fork to eat it.
How do Swiss eat fondue? ›
Utensils, etiquette and technique
The long fondue fork is, traditionally, only for dipping pieces of bread in the fondue. In theory you should place the dipped bread on your plate and proceed to eat it with a regular knife and fork; in practice, however, almost no one does this.
What is the fork etiquette for fondue? ›
You should be treating the fondue fork as a serving item — you should take your knife or [regular] fork and remove the food to your own plate. Unless it's chocolate fondue and it's your lover and you don't mind swapping spit.
What is traditionally served with cheese fondue? ›
Bread is an excellent choice for cheese fondue because it soaks up the warm cheese and creamy flavors, creating a delicious combination. There are so many options to choose from for this classic side, such as French baguettes, sourdough, breadsticks, bagels, croutons or pretzels.
What is the rule of the cheese board? ›
On an appetiser cheese board, you should allow about 70 g per person. A cheese board to finish a meal should have between 60-80 g per person. For an all-cheese meal, allow 250 g per person.
How do you eat cheese etiquette? ›
Always use a separate knife for each cheese (if they have been supplied) to avoid mixing flavours. When cutting a cheese wedge, try to cut a slice along the length of the cheese, from the centre to the rind. Try not to cut the point or the 'nose' off the cheese, which is often the ripest bit and worth sharing around!
