Fact Finder - Food and Drink

Fact
The Tradition of Swiss Fondue
Category
Food and Drink
Subcategory
Global Cuisine
Country
Switzerland
Description
Fondue became the national dish of Switzerland in the 1930s, largely due to a marketing campaign by the Swiss Cheese Union to increase cheese consumption. The word comes from the French 'fondre,' meaning 'to melt.' A classic fondue is made with a blend of Gruyère and Emmental cheeses, melted with white wine and a bit of garlic. To prevent the cheese and wine from separating, cornstarch is often added as an emulsifier. Traditionally, fondue is served in a ceramic pot called a 'caquelon.' There is a strict etiquette to fondue: if a man drops his bread into the pot, he must buy a round of drinks; if a woman does, she must kiss her neighbors.