The Ultimate Guide To Sourcing Fondue Cheese

Fondue is a Swiss dish that originated in the Canton of Neuchatel. The traditional recipe calls for a blend of two or more cheeses, usually including Emmental and Gruyere, which are melted and blended with white wine and spices. The dish is served in a communal pot, and diners dip long forks with cubed bread into the melted cheese. While fondue was originally a way to feed families inexpensively using stale bread and melted Gruyere, it has since become a Swiss national dish, with many variations, such as chocolate and meat fondue. You can buy fondue cheese online, or in ready-to-heat packs from supermarkets.

Online

There are several online options for purchasing fondue cheese. Amazon offers a variety of fondue cheese options, including:

• Swiss Knight Fondue - L'Original From Switzerland, available in packs of 1, 2 or 6.
• Fondue Suisse Swiss Fondue Cheese, available in packs of 1 or 4.
• Emmi Cheese Fondue, available in packs of 1 or 2.
• Generic Mifroma Fondue, available in a pack of 3.
• Swiss Castle Traditional Fondue, available in a pack of 2.

Prices range from $12.69 to $57.99, with some options offering free delivery.

RacletteCorner also offers an original Swiss cheese fondue mix by Mifroma, which includes a blend of Gruyere AOP and Emmentaler AOP cheeses, wine and spices. This option serves 2-3 people and is ready to serve after heating.

SwissFavorites offers The Swiss Bakery's own cheese fondue blend, which includes a combination of classic imported Swiss cheeses such as Gruyère, Vacherin Fribourgeois, Emmentaler, and Raclette. This 26oz option has 15 reviews and is available for purchase on their website.

Lastly, igourmet offers Swiss Fondue Cheese by Emmi Roth, a zesty blend of Swiss cheeses, wine and kirsch. This option serves approximately 14 people and can be heated in a pot or microwaved.

Local grocery stores

If you're looking to make a fondue at home, you can find all the necessary ingredients at your local grocery store.

For the cheese, you'll want to look for a good-quality, creamy and buttery cheese that melts smoothly. The best options are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. If you want to make a classic Swiss fondue, you can use a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses like Gruyere, Swiss cheese, and gouda. You can also add in some cheddar, although this will give the fondue a less traditional flavour. Other fondue cheeses to look out for include Comté, Emmentaler, raclette, and vacherin.

In addition to the cheese, you'll need some cornstarch or flour, a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay, and a clear cherry brandy called kirsch. You can also add in some spices, such as nutmeg, and a clove of garlic to rub on the inside of the fondue pot.

For dipping, you can choose from a variety of options, including crusty bread, apples, steamed broccoli, roasted baby potatoes, pickles, and cooked meats like bacon or sausage.

So, head to your local grocery store and pick up some cheese, wine, and whatever else takes your fancy for the perfect fondue night in!

Specialty cheese shops

If you're looking for fondue cheese, specialty cheese shops are a great place to start. These shops are likely to stock a wide range of cheeses, including those that are perfect for fondue. Here are some tips to help you find the best fondue cheese at specialty cheese shops:

First, look for shops that specialise in imported cheeses. Fondue originated in Switzerland, and while some domestic cheese makers may produce Swiss-style cheeses, you're more likely to find authentic fondue cheeses at shops that import European cheeses. These shops will often have a wider variety of cheeses, giving you more options to choose from.

When visiting a specialty cheese shop, look for classic Swiss cheeses such as Gruyère, Emmentaler, Vacherin Fribourgeois, Appenzeller, and Raclette. These cheeses are commonly used in fondue and will give you an authentic Swiss fondue experience. Be sure to ask the cheesemonger for advice, as they will be able to guide you towards the best options and provide suggestions for creating your own unique fondue blend.

Another benefit of shopping at specialty cheese shops is the opportunity to taste the cheeses before purchasing. This allows you to sample different cheeses and find the ones that suit your taste preferences. You can also ask for recommendations on wine and other accompaniments to pair with your fondue.

Some specialty cheese shops may even offer pre-made fondue cheese blends, saving you the hassle of having to select and blend multiple cheeses yourself. These blends are carefully curated to provide the perfect flavour profile for fondue, and the shop staff can advise you on the best way to prepare and serve your fondue.

When shopping for fondue cheese, it's important to keep in mind that quality matters. Fondue is all about the cheese, so investing in good-quality cheeses will make a significant difference in the final dish. Look for shops that source their cheeses from reputable producers to ensure you're getting the best possible ingredients for your fondue.

Restaurants

If you're looking to indulge in some fondue outside of your home, there are plenty of restaurants that offer this decadent dish. Here are some top spots to satisfy your cheesy cravings:

Geja’s Cafe, Chicago

Known for its romantic ambiance, Geja’s Cafe offers a cozy night out with dim lighting, live flamenco and classical guitar music, low ceilings, and cozy booths. Their fondue is crafted from Swiss Gruyère and spiked with Kirsch cherry brandy. It is served with an assortment of dipping options, including bread, vegetables, and fruit. Geja’s Cafe also offers surf and turf dinners, a vegetarian option, and an à la carte cheese fondue that can be a meal in itself.

Kashkaval Garden, New York City

Located in Hell's Kitchen, Kashkaval Garden has been a staple since 1997. Their menu features cheese-infused starters, and they offer four fondue specialties served in a cast-iron pot with a baguette for dipping. Their fondue options include cheddar and cider with caramelized onions, kashkaval (Bulgarian sheep's milk cheese), truffle (Gruyère and truffle oil), and a classic blend of Gruyère and Raclette. On Thursdays to Saturdays, they offer a "Wine Prix Fixe for Two," which includes fondue as the main course.

The Little Dipper, Wilmington, North Carolina

Tucked away in historic downtown Wilmington, The Little Dipper combines a love for fondue with a commitment to community. They offer seven cheese fondue options, such as Baja Cheddar and Smoky Gouda Bacon, served with bread, vegetables, and fruit for dipping. Their wine menu includes a Swiss Chasselas, Provins L’Alpinage. You can enjoy your fondue indoors or, on pleasant days, out on their deck.

La Fondue, Saratoga, California

La Fondue takes cheese fondue to the next level with 11 cheese choices across three categories: cheddar and beer, Swiss and white wine blends, and four-cheese and white wine blends. Their options range from sharp Wisconsin cheddar to a robust Four Cheese blend of Emmentaler, Gruyere, Fontina, and Raclette. You can order fondue à la carte, which includes two salads, or indulge in one of their meat selections, featuring unique options like Louisiana alligator and ostrich.

The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant, Manitou Springs, Colorado

The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant offers a four-course fondue dinner, starting with a salad, followed by cheese fondue, an entrée of your choice, and ending with chocolate fondue. They have eight cheese fondue options, including a dairy-free "cheese" fondue, cheddar with strawberry salsa, and a Greek Isle blend of Emmental, Gruyère, blue cheese, and feta topped with Kalamata olives.

Simply Fondue, Dallas

Simply Fondue in the Lower Greenville neighborhood of Dallas is a fondue-focused eatery with a cozy atmosphere, perfect for date nights. They offer five cheese fondue recipes, including Loaded Whiskey Cheddar, smoked gouda, and a rotating "monthly melt" created by the chef. Their fondues are served with bread, fruits, and vegetables for dipping, and they also specialize in signature martinis for an extra indulgent experience.

Switzerland

Fondue is a Swiss delicacy and a national icon throughout Switzerland. It is a combination of the finest Swiss cheese, wine, and a communal atmosphere. It is enjoyed in alpine restaurants, during après-ski, or in the comfort of home. Fondue is traditionally made and served in an earthenware pot known as a caquelon. The wide, shallow pot is favoured because it heats evenly and retains heat so the meal can be enjoyed for longer.

Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot over a portable stove heated with a candle or spirit lamp. It is eaten by dipping bread and sometimes vegetables or other snacks into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. The term "fondue" comes from the French verb "fondre", meaning "to melt". The earliest known recipe for the modern form of cheese fondue comes from a 1699 book published in Zurich, under the name "Käss mit Wein zu kochen" or "to cook cheese with wine".

The Swiss Cheese Union (Schweizerische Käseunion) promoted fondue as Switzerland's national dish in the 1930s as a way of increasing cheese consumption. Fondue is now a symbol of Swiss unity and is often associated with mountains and winter sports. It is enjoyed throughout the winter months and even on occasional cool summer evenings. It is a common, convivial dish that is found across the country, from rustic mountain chalets to big city restaurants, and is enjoyed by people of all ages and income brackets.

There is no standard recipe for Swiss fondue, nor is there a single type of cheese that is universally favoured. Regional recipes include varying amounts of Appenzeller, Gruyère, and Emmentaler cheeses. Different variations are created by adding ingredients such as mushrooms, tomatoes, herbs, and even chillies. The most common Swiss cheese fondues are made using a simple 'half & half' ratio of shredded Gruyère and Emmental cheese melted with white wine. Fondue moitié-moitié (half-and-half) is a popular version containing half Gruyère and half Vacherin Fribourgeois.

When preparing Swiss fondue, the fondue pot is traditionally first rubbed with one or two cut garlic cloves. Dry acidic white wine is then added and heated with corn starch. The grated cheese is then added and gently stirred until melted. A splash of kirsch liqueur is often added to finish the fondue.

The bread that is served with Swiss fondue is usually sturdy and can be either white or brown, cut into bite-sized chunks for dipping. The bread is often mi-blanc, a white, oval bread with a relatively thin yet sturdy crust. It is supposed to be day-old to enhance its sturdiness, but this isn't necessary. It is served cut into thick slices rather than cubes, which are then torn into chunks for dipping.

The Swiss have many traditions and rules of etiquette surrounding the preparation and consumption of fondue. The bread is the main accompaniment, although boiled potatoes, charcuterie, and cornichons or other pickles can also be served. It is customary to stir the fondue in a clockwise or figure-eight motion to keep the cheese mixed properly. Bread should not be dipped in the pot while someone else is already swirling and should be twirled at least three times to allow excess cheese to drip off. Double-dipping is forbidden.

The Swiss also have strong opinions about what to drink with fondue. A dry, acidic white wine is the standard accompaniment, and the traditional belief is that the alcohol aids digestion. A shot of kirsch (cherry brandy) during or after the meal is also said to aid digestion and stimulate the appetite. The recommended non-alcoholic beverage is hot tea. Many Swiss insist that cold beverages should be avoided as they are thought to cause the cheese to coagulate in the stomach and cause digestive distress.

At the end of a fondue meal, if the fondue has been kept at a very low heat, a crusty, golden, unburnt layer of cheese known as la religieuse (the nun) will have formed at the bottom of the pot. This is considered a delicacy and is shared between those at the table.

Frequently asked questions