Fondue Faux Pas: Drinks To Avoid With This Decadent Dish

Fondue is a quintessential Swiss dish that is rich, salty, and strong in taste. While it is a delight to eat, there are some drinks that are not recommended to be consumed with fondue. According to Swiss lore, drinking anything other than white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea with fondue will cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leading to indigestion. This belief is so strong that even scientific studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of drinking different beverages with fondue. While the study found no gastric symptoms associated with drinking tea or wine, tradition still prevails and many continue to follow the traditional beverage choices. So, if you're looking to indulge in some fondue, it's best to stick to the traditional drink pairings to avoid any potential digestive issues!

Water will cause coagulation

Water is not recommended as a drink to accompany fondue. According to Swiss lore, drinking water with fondue will cause the cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leaving you with debilitating indigestion. This is because the fat in the cheese and the water do not mix well together. The cheese will solidify and clump together, forming a lump that can cause digestive issues.

The traditional drink to accompany fondue is Fendant, a slightly sparkling white wine served at room temperature. Other recommended drinks include kirsch (cherry schnapps), herbal tea, or dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. These drinks are believed to complement the rich, salty, and strong flavour of the fondue.

It is also advised to avoid drinking anything cold with fondue. If you do not drink alcohol, plain black tea is suggested as an alternative, although this is not a common choice.

The combination of fondue and water can cause coagulation and digestive issues, so it is best to avoid this pairing. It is recommended to choose from a variety of drinks that complement the flavour and texture of the fondue.

Alcohol makes digestion harder

When enjoying a fondue, it is best to avoid drinking alcohol. According to Swiss lore, drinking anything but white wine, kirsch, or herbal tea with your fondue will cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leaving you with debilitating indigestion. While this may sound like an old wives' tale, there is some truth to the idea that alcohol makes digestion harder.

Alcohol is not digested like other foods. It is a waste product that the body tries to excrete. It passes down into the stomach, where it is initially broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the body's main line of defence against alcohol molecules. However, the body can only process a certain amount of alcohol at a time. If you drink more than your body can process, you will begin to feel intoxicated as the alcohol level builds up in the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body.

Drinking alcohol can cause heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and ulcers, and can trigger further damage in the gut. It harms the gut microbiome, as ethanol is a disinfectant that kills important bacteria. Alcohol also inhibits the gut's ability to absorb crucial nutrients and proteins. It reduces the number of digestive enzymes that the pancreas can release into the digestive tract, which are needed to break down food.

In addition, alcohol causes an inflammatory response in the gut, which can lead to intestinal inflammation and affect intestinal permeability, potentially allowing toxins and debris to pass through the gut wall and into the bloodstream. This can create serious discomfort and pain.

Alcohol also increases the risk of colon cancer. A British study found that approximately one-third of mouth and throat cancers were caused by drinking alcohol. It can also cause acid reflux, which damages cells and increases the risk of cancer of the oesophagus.

Therefore, while a glass of wine or two may seem like a harmless addition to your meal, it is important to remember that alcohol can have a detrimental effect on digestion and overall health.

Only drink tea if it's black and unsweetened

When it comes to enjoying a fondue, the choice of drink is almost as important as the choice of dippers. Get it wrong, and you could end up with a stomach full of coagulated cheese.

The Swiss have clear ideas about what you should and shouldn't drink with a fondue. According to Swiss lore, you should avoid anything but white wine, kirsch, or a tisane of herbal tea. This means no water, juice, or beer, which are said to cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leading to debilitating indigestion.

If you're going to drink tea with your fondue, it's important to stick to plain black tea with no milk or sugar. This is because milk and sugar can cause the fondue to coagulate in your stomach, leading to discomfort. While it may seem unusual to drink tea with fondue, it is a traditional Swiss option for those who don't drink alcohol.

It's worth noting that a scientific study carried out in Switzerland and Germany found no evidence of gastric symptoms in participants who drank tea with their fondue. However, tradition prevails, and it's unlikely that the Swiss will change their ways anytime soon.

So, if you're looking for a drink to pair with your fondue, stick to plain black tea, or play it safe with white wine or kirsch. Your stomach will thank you!

Fendant is the traditional Swiss choice

Fondue, a Swiss dish typically consisting of melted cheese and wine, is served in a communal pot and eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks. While there are many choices for beverages to accompany fondue, Fendant, a Swiss traditional choice, is a slightly sparkling white wine made from Chasselas grapes and served at room temperature.

The Swiss have strong opinions about what to drink with their cheese fondue, and Fendant is their preferred choice. According to Swiss lore, drinking water with fondue can cause the melted cheese to form a giant ball in your stomach, leading to indigestion. This belief is based on the idea that cheese is high in fat and can slow down digestion, and drinking water can cause the cheese to clot and hinder proper digestion.

In addition to water, Swiss lore also warns against drinking juice, beer, or soda with fondue for similar reasons. Traditional Swiss fondue favours alcoholic beverages, and Fendant, as a sparkling white wine, is an ideal choice to cut through the richness of the cheese.

While Fendant is the traditional Swiss choice, other drinks such as white wine, kirsch (a fruit brandy), and herbal tea are also considered suitable accompaniments to fondue.

White wine is the best pairing

When it comes to enjoying a delicious fondue, the choice of beverage is just as important as the cheese itself. While some may argue for the merits of tea or beer, the traditional wisdom is clear: white wine is the perfect pairing.

Firstly, let's consider the role of the drink. According to Swiss lore, drinking water, juice, or beer with fondue will cause the melted cheese to coagulate into a giant ball in your stomach, resulting in debilitating indigestion. While this may be more superstition than scientific fact, it's certainly an unpleasant image and one that might ruin your appetite. So, it's best to stick with a beverage that is known to complement fondue rather than conflict with it.

Now, why is white wine the best choice? Well, it's all about creating a harmonious flavour profile. Fondue is rich, salty, and strong in taste. To cut through the saltiness and complement the strong flavours of the cheese, you need a wine that is dry, acidic, and refreshing. White wine, especially when served at room temperature or slightly chilled, provides the perfect contrast and refreshes the palate between mouthfuls of fondue.

When selecting a white wine to pair with your fondue, opt for varieties that are dry and high in acidity, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. These wines will help to balance the richness of the fondue and ensure a smooth, enjoyable dining experience.

In addition to its flavour benefits, white wine is also a practical choice for fondue. The acid in the wine helps to keep the cheese mixture smooth and prevents it from becoming stringy or clumpy. This is especially important if you're making fondue at home, as it ensures your fondue maintains the ideal creamy texture.

So, the next time you're preparing for a fondue night, be sure to stock up on some quality white wine. Your taste buds will thank you!

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