Cheese fondue is a combination of various types of cheeses, wine, and spices that has its origins in Swiss tradition. It’s served hot from a communal pot, with chunks of bread and fruit dipped, swirled, and coated in the melted cheese mixture before eating. Fondue is a French word that means “melted” or “to be melted,” so it’s no surprise that some of the origins of cheese fondue can be traced back to French culture.
Fondue is commonly made with a variety of cheeses. The most popular liquor to use in fondue is kirsch, a colorless brandy. One of the reasons Kirsch is so popular is that, because it is colorless, it does not alter or ruin the natural hue of the cheeses used in fondue, as many chefs believe.
The cheeses used in fondue must first and foremost be meltable. If they don’t melt well, the mixture will be lumpy and inconsistent, which will make it look unappealing. Gruyere and Emmentaler cheeses are the most common cheeses used in traditional fondue recipes.
To make a truly successful cheese fondue, keep the temperature of the cheese constant. It must be kept melted and not allowed to separate or clump by the preparer. A fondue pot is commonly used for this, though some people prefer a traditional pan with a flame device underneath it. The fondue pot keeps the cheese at a consistent temperature while providing easy access at a traditional table. The cheese must be kept at a constant warm temperature in order to avoid burning.
The most common way to serve cheese fondue is as an appetizer, with bread or fruit on the side for dipping. Fondue forks are long, skewer-like forks used to dip bread or fruit. These keep the hands of those using them from getting burned on the fondue pot’s edge, which tends to maintain a dangerous level of heat.
Despite the fact that there are many other types of fondue, such as chocolate, cheese fondue is still the most popular. Any type of cheese with a good melting rate can be used to make cheese fondues. The fondue mixture can be flavored with anything from savory to spicy flavors. Crushed or pureed vegetables can also be added to the melted mixture. Regardless of the ingredients, cheese fondue has been a crowd-pleaser for decades.