Cheese fondue is a Swiss dish that combines melted cheese with wine and bread. The best cheeses for fondue are those that melt smoothly and have a buttery and creamy texture, such as fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. The quality of the cheese is important, and the fondue can be customised with spices, herbs, and other ingredients such as garlic. The result is a rich, savoury, creamy, and complex dish with a strong cheese flavour.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Taste | Savory, cheesy, creamy, complex, slightly tangy, herbaceous |
Texture | Buttery, smooth, thick, sticky, silky, creamy, light, refreshing |
Ingredients | Cheese, wine, bread, potatoes, vegetables, meat, spices, herbs, broth, oil |
What You'll Learn
Fondue is a blend of cheeses, wine, and spices
The wine used in fondue is typically a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. The wine adds a slight tanginess to the fondue, especially when combined with lemon juice. The spices used in fondue can include nutmeg, pepper, paprika, or various herbs. Garlic is also a common ingredient in fondue, adding a complex and nuanced flavour.
The exact taste of fondue will depend on the types of cheese and the recipe used. However, cheese fondue is generally described as having a rich, savory, and creamy taste with a robust and pronounced cheese flavour. It can also be slightly tangy, complex, and herbaceous, depending on the ingredients used.
In addition to the classic ingredients, some recipes call for unusual fondue seasonings such as chilli powder or curry powder, which can add a slightly spicy kick to the dish. The key to a good fondue is to never let it come to a boil, as too much heat will make it runny.
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The best cheeses for fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda
Fondue is a Swiss dish that combines warm cheese with wine and bread. It is usually served in a communal pot, with people dipping in various foods such as bread, vegetables, cured meats, and seafood. The best cheeses for fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda.
Fontina, Gruyère, and gouda are ideal for fondue because they are buttery and creamy, which means they melt smoothly. These cheeses also create a bold and complex flavour when combined. Fontina, a semi-hard cheese from northern Italy, has a sweet and savoury flavour. Gruyère, a yellow Swiss cheese, has a sweet and nutty flavour that becomes more complex and earthy as it ages. Gouda, a mild and nutty Dutch cheese, is one of the most popular cheeses in the world and is also semi-hard, making it great for melting.
For a classic Swiss fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best. In addition to fontina, Gruyère, and gouda, other good options include Swiss cheese, Comté, Emmentaler (a variety of Swiss cheese), raclette, and vacherin. When making fondue, it is important to use good-quality cheese and grate the cheese before melting it.
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Fondue is served with bread, meat, potatoes, apples, and more
Fondue is a Swiss dish that combines warm cheese with wine and bread. It is typically served with a variety of dippers, including bread, meat, potatoes, apples, and more.
Bread is a classic choice for dipping in fondue, especially crusty bread that can soak up the cheesy goodness. French bread, baguette, sourdough, and pumpernickel are all great options.
Meat, such as cooked sliced hot sausage, salami, prosciutto, or chorizo, adds a savoury and salty element to the fondue experience.
Potatoes are also a popular choice for dipping in fondue. Roasted baby potatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, or potato chips provide a starchy contrast to the creamy cheese.
Apples, particularly tart varieties like Granny Smith, offer a crisp and refreshing taste sensation when dipped in fondue.
In addition to these staples, there are endless possibilities for what to serve with fondue. Here are some more ideas:
- Broccoli (steamed or raw)
- Cauliflower (steamed or raw)
- Bell peppers
- Pickles (cornichons, dill pickles, gherkins)
- Mushrooms
- Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes)
- Shrimp
- Meatballs
- Brussels sprouts
- Filet mignon
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Poached chicken
- Large pasta shapes (shells, fusilli, rigatoni)
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Fennel
- Pears
- Pretzels
- Chips
- Crackers
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Alcoholic drinks are the traditional pairing for fondue
Fondue is a Swiss dish that originated in the Valais region of Switzerland and has been enjoyed there since the 12th century. The traditional fondue recipe varies by region, but it typically includes cow's milk cheeses like Emmentaler and Gruyère. A classic Swiss fondue is made from one or more varieties of strong cheese and an alcoholic spirit such as white wine, beer, fruit brandy, or cider. The alcohol used in the fondue can also be paired with the meal as a drink. A dry white wine goes just as well in a glass as in the caquelon (fondue pot). Those who prefer red wine are advised to choose a very light vintage.
The traditional Swiss fondue recipe calls for a blend of Raclette, Emmentaler, and Gruyere, mixed with white wine and a hint of garlic. However, there are many variations on the classic, depending on your mood and your guests. For example, the Sauternes and Stilton Fondue combines a pungent English blue cheese with creme fraiche and Sauternes, a sweet white wine from Bordeaux, France.
If you're looking for something light and fresh, you can combine buttermilk, fresh herbs, and goat cheese for a refreshing take on the classic. For meat lovers, there's the Hot-Pot Type Fondue, which involves cooking proteins like seafood or raw meat in hot oil or broth.
When it comes to drinks, it is traditionally recommended to sip only white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea with your fondue meal. According to Swiss lore, any other drink may cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, resulting in debilitating indigestion. However, this belief may be more superstition than fact.
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The best wines for fondue are dry and high-acid
Cheese fondue is a blend of cheeses, wine, and spices that is served warm with bread for dipping. The best wines for fondue are dry and high-acid, such as:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Unoaked Chardonnay
- Grüner Veltliner
- Chenin Blanc
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Champagne
The wine is an essential ingredient in fondue as its acid helps to keep the cheese from clumping together. It also adds flavour to the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese fondue has a rich, savoury, and creamy taste with a delightful combination of flavours. It allows for a wide range of flavour profiles to suit different preferences. The specific taste can vary depending on the types of cheeses used and the fondue recipe, but the general characteristics are that it is savoury, cheesy, creamy, complex, slightly tangy, and herbaceous.
Cheese fondue is made with melted cheese and white wine, with bread cubes for dipping. The best cheeses for fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. For a classic Swiss cheese fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best, such as Gruyère, Swiss cheese, and gouda. Other ingredients include cornstarch, lemon juice, garlic, nutmeg, and sometimes a splash of kirsch (cherry brandy).
Traditional cheese fondue is served with cubed French or sourdough bread, but you can also dip meat, potatoes, sliced fruit (such as apples or pears), vegetables (such as broccoli, bell peppers, or carrots), crackers, chips, or pretzels.