Fondue Etiquette: Drinking Water Alongside The Melty Goodness

Fondue is a beloved Swiss dish, especially during the cold months. It involves melting local cheese and mixing it with garlic and wine in a ceramic pot served over a small flame. Diners then use long forks to dip cubes of bread into the cheese. However, there is much discussion in Switzerland about the perfect drink to accompany this dish. While some say drinking water with fondue will cause the cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, others argue that this is just a myth. So, can you drink water while eating fondue?

Why you shouldn't drink water with fondue

Fondue, a Swiss dish, is a delightful meal, but it can be heavy and filling. It involves melting local cheese and mixing it with garlic and wine in a ceramic pot served over a small flame. Diners then use long forks to dip cubes of bread into the simmering cheese. It is a meal that can take hours to finish.

While fondue is a treat for the tongue, it can have unfavourable effects on the digestive system. This is because cheese is full of fat and lacks fibre, and eating too much of it can slow down digestion, causing bloating or constipation.

Swiss lore advises against drinking water with fondue. It is believed that water can cause the stringy liquid cheese to clot into a ball in your stomach, preventing it from being properly digested. This can lead to discomfort and indigestion that can last for days.

Some people believe that drinking cold water with fondue can even be deadly. While this may be an exaggeration, it is clear that water is not the best beverage choice when consuming large amounts of cheese.

So, what should you drink with fondue? The traditional Swiss choice is Fendant, a slightly sparkling white wine served at room temperature. Other options include herbal tea or hot black tea, which are believed to aid digestion more than alcoholic beverages.

In conclusion, while you may not suffer any serious consequences from drinking water with fondue, it is advisable to choose another beverage to avoid potential digestive issues. The combination of water and large amounts of cheese may lead to an unpleasant stomachache, so it is best to avoid this pairing if you want to fully enjoy your fondue experience.

The best drinks to pair with fondue

Fondue is a rich, indulgent dish, and choosing the right drink to accompany it is key. While water is generally discouraged, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Here are some of the best drinks to pair with fondue:

Wine

Wine is a classic pairing with fondue, and for good reason. The acidity in wine helps to stimulate digestion, which is especially important when consuming large quantities of dairy. When it comes to wine, dry white wines are the most popular choice. Varieties such as Riesling, Swiss Chasselas, Chignin, Roussette from Savoie, Muscadet, Chablis, dry Alsace or Austrian Riesling, and young Grüner Veltliner are all excellent options. These wines pair well with the cheese and help to cut through the richness.

If you prefer red wine, it is best to choose a light, dry, and unoaked variety. Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, and Cabernet Franc are good options to pair with fondue. It is worth noting that red wines can be more challenging to pair with cheese, especially melted cheese, so choose a lighter option to avoid overwhelming the dish.

Kirsch

Kirsch, also known as Kirschwasser, is a colorless spirit made from fermented, double-distilled sour morello cherries. It is a traditional choice to pair with fondue, as it is often used as an ingredient in the dish itself. A quick swig of Kirsch is believed to stimulate the appetite and aid in digesting the rich cheese. It is commonly served as a shot-sized serving after the fondue or as a cocktail before the meal.

Tea

Tea, especially herbal tea, is another traditional beverage to accompany fondue. While it may not be the first drink that comes to mind, tea can help cut through the richness of the fondue and aid digestion. A 2010 study found that drinking black tea with fondue resulted in faster gastric emptying compared to drinking alcohol. So, if digestion is a concern, tea is a great option to pair with your fondue.

Cocktails

While cocktails are not typically served with traditional Swiss fondue, they can make for fabulous accompaniments. Strong, alcohol-forward cocktails like martinis or a Kirsch Punch made with white wine, cherry-flavored seltzer, and garnishes are excellent choices to complement the fondue.

Beer

Beer is another option to pair with fondue, although it is not as commonly served as wine or tea. A Belgian Farmhouse Saison Ale is a good choice, as it is bright and lively, with a crisp, dry finish that will provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the fondue.

In conclusion, while there are many drink options to pair with fondue, the key is to choose something that will help cut through the richness of the dish and aid digestion. Whether you choose wine, kirsch, tea, cocktails, or beer, enjoy your fondue with a beverage that enhances the overall experience.

The effects of drinking water with fondue

The Swiss Perspective

Drinking water with fondue is not recommended in Switzerland. Swiss culture and tradition play a significant role in this belief. The Swiss have clear ideas about what you should and should not drink with a cheese fondue, and water is typically avoided. This is not merely a matter of taste preference; instead, it is rooted in the potential adverse effects on digestion.

The Science Behind the Swiss Lore

The high fat and low fiber content of cheese can slow down the digestive process, leading to bloating or even constipation. According to Swiss lore, drinking water with fondue can exacerbate these issues. The belief is that the water causes the stringy, melted cheese to clot into a ball in your stomach, further hindering proper digestion. This phenomenon is not limited to water; Swiss lore extends this coagulation effect to other beverages like juice, beer, and even soda.

A Matter of Preference

While the Swiss traditionally avoid water with fondue, they do offer a range of alternative beverage options. The traditional drink of choice is often Fendant, a slightly sparkling white wine served at room temperature. Other popular choices include herbal tea, black tea, and Kirsch (a colorless fruit brandy made from sour Morello cherries, also known as cherry schnapps).

Scientific Studies Weigh In

A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2010 lends some credence to the Swiss lore. The study found that participants who drank tea with their fondue digested the meal in about six hours, while those who opted for wine and Kirsch took approximately nine hours to digest the same meal. However, it is important to note that no gastric symptoms were associated with either test group, and the lead researcher, Dr. Mark Fox, acknowledged that the length of the digestive process may not significantly impact the overall dining experience.

Navigating the Fondue Beverage Landscape

So, what is the verdict on drinking water with fondue? While the Swiss lore and scientific studies provide insights, the ultimate choice rests with the individual. Some people who enjoy fondue may opt for water or other non-alcoholic beverages without experiencing any adverse effects. However, if one wishes to adhere to Swiss tradition and optimize digestion, it may be wise to steer clear of water and opt for traditional alternatives like wine, tea, or Kirsch.

Swiss fondue drinking traditions

Swiss fondue, a decadent dish of melted cheese, is best enjoyed with a drink—but there are some traditional beverages that are more equal than others.

In Switzerland, a traditional fondue may be served with a variety of drinks, but what you'll almost never find on the table is a glass of water. According to Swiss lore, water has distressing effects on the stomach when consumed with fondue. Eating large quantities of dairy can slow down digestion and cause bloating or constipation. Swiss tradition holds that sipping on water between bites of fondue can cause the stringy liquid to clot into a ball in your stomach, preventing the proper digestion of all that cheese.

So, what does go well with fondue? Traditional Swiss fondue favours alcoholic drinks, particularly wine. Wine is believed to stimulate digestion, and white wine is a favourite, especially dry varieties like Riesling and room-temperature Fendant, a sparkling white wine made from Chasselas grapes. A shot-sized serving of kirsch, a colourless fruit brandy made from sour Morello cherries, is also a traditional Swiss tipple to enjoy with fondue. Some dunk their bread in a glass of kirsch before taking it to the fondue pot, for an extra kick. While cocktails are not common on the Swiss dinner table, strong, alcohol-forward drinks like martinis are also considered fabulous accompaniments to fondue.

If you'd prefer to avoid alcohol, black tea is another Swiss-approved beverage to sip with fondue. While herbal teas are the most traditional choice, a 2010 study published in the British Medical Journal found that participants who drank black tea digested fondue faster than those who drank alcohol. The study found that gastric emptying—the rate at which food moves from the stomach to the small intestine—took considerably longer with alcohol than with black tea.

So, while there are several Swiss-approved drinks to enjoy with fondue, water is not one of them, according to tradition.

Alternatives to water when eating fondue

When eating fondue, it is best to avoid drinking water. Swiss lore says that water, alongside other drinks like juice, beer, or soda, will cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leaving you with indigestion. So, what are some good alternatives to water?

Wine is a popular choice to pair with fondue. The best wine pairings will complement the fondue's flavour and texture. A crisp, dry white wine is often considered the best choice, with Swiss Chasselas, Chignin, or Roussette from Savoie being popular options. Other options include Muscadet, Chablis, dry Alsace or Austrian Riesling, or a young Grüner Veltliner. If you prefer red wine, it is best to choose a fresh, light-bodied one, such as a young red Burgundy, Gamay, or Dole. A Poulsard from the Jura region is also a good option.

If you want to stick to Swiss tradition, a shot-sized serving of Kirsch (a cherry brandy) is often served with fondue. It is believed to whet the appetite and can also be used to dunk your bread in before dipping it into the fondue pot.

Tea is another popular drink to sip with fondue. Herbal teas are the most traditional choice, but a 2010 study found that black tea may be better for digestion than alcoholic drinks.

If you're looking for a non-alcoholic option, a Belgian Farmhouse Saison Ale is a good choice. This type of beer is bright and lively, with a slight tartness and a crisp, dry finish. It will provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the fondue.

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