Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: April 11th, 2022. Did you know today is National Cheese Fondue Day? Can you believe Charlie and I haven’t ever had Cheese Fondue? As for David I don’t know if he has or not. How about you have you had Cheese Fondue?
Interesting Facts about Cheese Fondue
- The melted Cheese dish known as Fondue is Swiss in origin.
- Cow herders, who had long winters with few provisions, invented Fondue.
- Other nationalities have similar recipes involving things including Creamy Eggs.
- The way the Swiss dish obtained a French name is a mystery, though there is a powerful influence of French language speakers in Switzerland even today.
- The Swiss nobles liked Fondue so much that they adapted it from its humble beginnings to make Fondue a dish of the nobility.
Fun Fact:
Fondue became popular in the U.S. during the mid-1960s. After American tourists discovered Fondue in Switzerland.
Over 100 varieties of Cheese Fondue exist, each with a unique name and different blend of Cheeses, Wine and Seasoning.
Tradition states that if bread falls off a woman’s fork and into the pot, she must kiss her neighbor. If a man drops anything into the pot, he has to buy a round of drinks for the table.
National Cheese Fondue Day is celebrated each year on April 11. Since cheese is such a popular (and delicious) ingredient, this day recognizes a food holiday that many enjoy. Fondue is a dish of melted cheese or other ingredients, served in a communal pot, known as the caquelon. This pot is placed over a small portable stove known as the réchaud. People then dip the bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. Meat, crackers, and vegetables may also be dipped into the cheese. Cheese fondue consists of a blend of cheeses, wine, and seasoning. It is a common delicacy that is available at most restaurants and can be easily made at home.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHEESE FONDUE DAY
Fondue has been around for Centuries, but the original Cheese Fondue recipe was only published in 1875. Before this, there was a dish called ‘Fondue’ that resembled a scramble, which was a mixture of Eggs and sometimes Truffles. In 1905, Cornstarch was introduced to Switzerland which led to Eggs and Truffles being removed and Fondue becoming a Cheese-based dish. You can dip Bread, Gherkin Pickles, Onions, and more while some people Fruits like Grapes for a lighter repast. Fondue is cooked on a stove, and then poured into the Fondue Pot where it is served at the table.
It is not known who made the first Cheese. Some records suggest that it might have been accidentally made by an Arabian merchant. The merchant put his supply of Milk into a pouch made from a Sheep’s stomach, as he traveled across the desert. The rennet in the lining of the pouch, combined with the heat of the sun, caused the Milk to separate into Curd and Whey. He found that the Whey satisfied his thirst and that the Cheese had a delightful flavor that kept him full for a long time.
Several different traditions go with eating Fondue. One is the eating of the crispy Cheese left at the bottom of the pot which is referred to as ‘la religieuse.’ Another tradition is the custom of what happens when your cube of Bread falls off of your fork. Ideally, if someone’s Bread falls off, they have to buy a round of drinks for the table!
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CHEESE FONDUE DAY
Celebrate National Cheese Fondue Day by whipping up Cheese Fondue. Get your favorite Bread, Vegetables, Fruits, or Meat to dip in the Cheese Fondue.
Invite your friends over for a Fondue Game Night on National Cheese Fondue Day. If someone’s Bread falls into the Cheese, they will have to buy everyone a round of drinks.
Post a photo of the Cheese Fondue that you made on Social Media using the hashtag #NationalCheeseFondueDay.
5 FACTS ABOUT CHEESE
- Did you know Cheese contains a chemical that can trigger Opioid receptors in the human brain?
- There are more than 1,800 varieties of Cheese and it would take about five years to try each Cheese if you tried one Cheese per day.
- Cheddar Cheese is a hard, smooth-textured Cheese made from Cow’s milk.
- Pule is the world’s most expensive Cheese, and a pound can be sold for as much as $600 to $1,000.
- Pizza Hut uses about 300 million pounds of Cheese annually.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CHEESE FONDUE DAY
- Did you know Cheese fondue is probably one of the quickest recipes to prepare? National Cheese Fondue Day applauds a dish that despite its simplicity, is delicious.
- If you have been wanting to take a day off from cooking, then National Cheese Fondue Day is the perfect day to do so.
- Cheese Fondue nights bring friends together and it is a great excuse to share a meal with friends.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
