The Perfect Beverage Pairing For Swiss Fondue

Fondue, Switzerland's national dish, is a blend of firm, mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyère, Emmentaler, and Appenzeller. But what do the Swiss drink with this decadent dish? While some claim that only white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea should be paired with fondue, others argue that this is simply a Swiss myth. 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, resulting in debilitating indigestion. However, some Swiss residents claim that they drank whatever they liked with fondue as children, including Coca-Cola, and never experienced any problems. So, while the Swiss may have strong opinions on the matter, it appears that you can drink whatever you want with fondue without suffering any ill effects.

White wine, kirsch or herbal tea are the traditional drinks to have with fondue

Fondue, the national dish of Switzerland, is a blend of rich, creamy cheeses and a decadent way to celebrate chilly winter nights. But what do the Swiss drink with their fondue?

White wine, kirsch, or herbal tea are the traditional drinks to have with fondue. White wine, dry and high-acid such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay, is said to aid digestion and prevent the cheese from coagulating in the stomach. However, this is more of a Swiss myth, as the stomach is much more acidic than wine. Kirsch, a Swiss liquor, is also believed to aid digestion and is often drunk before, during, or after the meal. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, herbal tea is a popular choice, with some sources recommending it for its digestive benefits.

While these are the traditional drinks, some Swiss people also enjoy black tea, apple juice, or soft drinks with their fondue. It is worth noting that drinking anything other than white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea might earn you disapproving looks from the Swiss, as they believe it can cause stomach cramps or coagulation of the cheese in the stomach. However, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims.

So, if you're enjoying a pot of fondue, whether in Switzerland or elsewhere, feel free to pair it with the beverage of your choice! Just be sure to follow the proper fondue etiquette, such as stirring the cheese in a clockwise direction and avoiding double-dipping.

Drinking anything else is said to cause stomach cramps

The Swiss are adamant that fondue should be eaten with a dry white wine, kirsch, or a tisane of herbal tea. According to Swiss lore, any other drink will cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leaving you with debilitating stomach cramps. However, this is more than likely just a myth.

Drinking anything but these three beverages is said to cause stomach cramps. Some Swiss will tell you that drinking water, or something chilled or fizzy like Coca-Cola, will cause potentially fatal stomach cramps. However, this is more than likely complete baloney. It seems that your own physiology is more important than what you drink. That being said, white wine generally makes you feel fuller, and having something chilled or fizzy will probably make you a social outcast in Switzerland.

Some Swiss will go so far as to say that drinking anything but white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea with fondue is ill-advised and could even be fatal. But is it true? Well, the Swiss certainly think so. They believe that drinking water with fondue will cause the cheese to coagulate in your stomach and turn into a giant ball. This, they say, will result in debilitating indigestion or even fatal stomach cramps. However, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, one study found that white wine actually makes digestion more difficult, and that the only difference it might make is that you feel bloated for longer.

So, what should you drink with fondue? While the Swiss insist on white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea, it seems that you can drink whatever you like. Many people in Switzerland drink water, tea, or soft drinks with fondue and have no problems. However, if you want to avoid strange looks, it's best to stick to the traditional drinks. After all, why risk it?

Drinking a shot of kirsch before, during or after is also common

Drinking a shot of kirsch before, during, or after a fondue is a common practice in Switzerland. Kirsch is a Swiss liquor that is said to aid digestion after consuming large quantities of cheese. However, the idea that certain drinks aid digestion while others cause coagulation in the stomach is likely a myth. While some Swiss people swear by drinking kirsch with fondue, others opt for white wine, black tea, or herbal tea.

Kirsch is also used as an ingredient in fondue, with splashes added to the melted cheese along with wine and garlic. It is worth noting that the belief in the digestive benefits of drinking wine or kirsch with fondue may be an example of Swiss "alternative facts". Nevertheless, the ritual of drinking a shot of kirsch during a fondue meal is an integral part of Swiss culture and fondue etiquette.

The Swiss take their fondue traditions seriously, and there are several rules surrounding the consumption of this dish. For example, it is considered rude to double-dip or use your tongue when eating fondue communally. Another rule states that stirring the fondue pot in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the cheese to become homogenized. Breaking these rules may result in social ostracism or, in the case of losing your bread in the fondue pot, paying for everyone's meal.

In conclusion, while the Swiss may disagree on the drinks to pair with fondue, the custom of drinking a shot of kirsch before, during, or after the meal is widely accepted. Whether it is for digestive purposes or simply to partake in a Swiss tradition, raising a glass of kirsch has become an essential part of the fondue experience.

Some people say that drinking water with fondue will cause coagulation

Fondue, the Swiss national dish, is a blend of rich, indulgent cheeses, and as such, it can be heavy on the stomach. The Swiss take their fondue-eating seriously and have a whole set of rules around the dish, including the drinks that should be consumed with it. According to Swiss lore, drinking water with fondue will cause coagulation, leading to a giant ball of cheese forming in your stomach, resulting in indigestion. This belief also extends to juice, beer, and soda, which are also considered unsuitable drinks to consume with fondue.

The Swiss believe that only three drinks are suitable to consume with fondue: white wine, kirsch, or a tisane of herbal tea. Wine is a big favourite, especially dry white wines like Riesling and Fendant, a sparkling white wine made from Chasselas grapes. Wine is believed to aid digestion, cutting through the rich cheese. Fondue is often followed by a shot of kirsch, a fruit brandy made from sour Morello cherries, which is also used to dunk bread into before dipping it into the fondue. While cocktails are not traditional, strong, alcohol-forward drinks like martinis are also considered suitable.

However, a 2010 study published in the British Medical Journal found that alcohol may slow digestion. The study compared the effects of drinking black tea versus white wine followed by kirsch on participants eating Swiss fondue. It found that food took longer to move from the stomach to the small intestine when alcohol was consumed. In other words, the feeling of fullness lingered longer when fondue was eaten with alcohol. So, while the Swiss believe that water causes coagulation, this study suggests that alcohol may be the culprit.

While the Swiss lore may be more of a myth, it is clear that fondue is a rich, heavy dish that can cause digestive issues. So, if you want to avoid any potential tummy troubles, it might be wise to stick to the traditional drink options or at least enjoy your fondue with a refreshing beverage to cut through the cheese.

However, others say this is a Swiss myth

While some sources claim that the Swiss traditionally drink white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea with fondue, others say this is a Swiss myth. There is no scientific basis to the claim that drinking anything other than these three beverages will cause the cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach. In fact, your own physiology is more important than what you drink when it comes to digestion. While it is true that white wine generally makes you feel fuller, drinking something chilled or a carbonated drink like Coca-Cola is unlikely to be harmful. It may, however, make you a social outcast among the Swiss, who are adamant that fondue should be paired with white wine.

Some Swiss people also believe that drinking a shot of kirsch before, during, or after a meal of fondue will aid digestion. However, this is also likely to be an alternative fact, as scientific evidence suggests that alcohol actually slows down digestion. So, while the Swiss may recommend drinking white wine or kirsch with fondue, it is not necessary for digestion and may even have the opposite effect.

In reality, you can drink whatever you want with fondue, as long as the tastes go well together. Water, wine, tea, apple juice, and soft drinks are all common choices and are unlikely to cause any problems. However, you may get weird looks if you choose a drink like Coca-Cola, as the Swiss prefer to stick to their traditional beverages of white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea.

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