Chapter 1
The alpine birth of a national legend
Chapter 2
The delicious science of the melt
Chapter 3
Unwritten laws of the caquelon
Chapter 4
The global melting pot
Ch 3 · Unwritten laws of the caquelon
lara La Religieuse
We scrape the bottom of the pot for the nun (Oh, scrape the pot!) A crispy golden crust, she's the one (Yeah, she's the one!)
lara The thick ceramic or cast-iron caquelon pot sits on a réchaud stove heated by a spirit burner or candle.
lara The Swiss dining ritual penalizes dropped bread with playful tasks like washing dishes.
Quiz
What is a common, real-world traditional penalty for dropping bread into the fondue pot?
Quiz
In the comic 'Astérix in Switzerland,' what extreme punishment do characters face for dropping bread in the fondue?
Fun Fact
Summer ban: Traditional Swiss locals rarely eat fondue in the summer, viewing it strictly as a cold-weather, winter warming ritual.
Quiz
Why is double-dipping a bitten piece of bread back into the fondue pot considered a major faux pas?
Glossary
caquelon (noun)
A heavy earthenware or cast-iron cooking pot used especially for preparing and serving fondue. In Swiss tradition, diners who drop bread into the caquelon must buy a round of drinks.
A heavy earthenware or cast-iron cooking pot used especially for preparing and serving fondue. In Swiss tradition, diners who drop bread into the caquelon must buy a round of drinks.
Quiz
What culinary finale do some Swiss hosts prepare using the leftover cheese crust at the bottom?
Quiz
What is the French term for the prized, crispy cheese crust at the bottom of the fondue pot?