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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Fondue

Fondue is a communal dish in which small pieces of food are dipped into a hot liquid, most famously melted cheese.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Fondue is a communal Swiss dish where diners dip food into a shared pot of melted cheese or other hot liquids. The most famous version is cheese fondue, typically made with Gruyère and Emmental, white wine, and seasonings.

What it is

Fondue is a dish in which diners dip bite-sized foods into a shared heated pot. While the term can refer to several styles, cheese fondue is the best-known form. The word comes from French 'fondre', meaning 'to melt'.

How it's made

Cheese fondue is typically made from grated cheeses melted with white wine and thickened with starch or flour, then seasoned with ingredients such as garlic, nutmeg, or kirsch. Bread is the classic dip, though vegetables and other foods are also used.

Cultural origin and Canadian connection

Fondue is strongly associated with Switzerland and is widely described as a Swiss specialty. In Canada, it has become popular in home cooking and restaurants, especially as a social winter dish influenced by European cuisine.

In short

  • Fondue traditionally refers to melted cheese served warm in a communal pot.
  • Classic cheese fondue uses Gruyère and Emmental, white wine, and kirsch.
  • Bread is the most common dipper for cheese fondue.
  • Chocolate fondue is a popular dessert variation.
Canadian angle

Fondue has been popular in Canadian home cooking and restaurants, especially as a social meal and as a winter dish influenced by European cuisine.

Quick questions

What is fondue?
Fondue is a communal dish where small pieces of food are dipped into a hot shared pot, most often containing melted cheese.
What is fondue made of?
Cheese fondue is usually made from grated cheese, white wine, and a thickener such as cornstarch or flour, with seasonings like garlic or kirsch.
Is fondue Swiss?
Fondue is widely regarded as a Swiss dish, and cheese fondue is the version most closely associated with Switzerland.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fondue
    Supports: General definition of fondue, Swiss origin, cheese fondue ingredients, and chocolate fondue variation.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/fondue
    Supports: Fondue as a Swiss dish, preparation with melted cheese, wine, caquelon, and seasonings.
  3. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fondue
    Supports: Definitions covering cheese fondue, hot-liquid dipping dishes, and the fondue vessel.
  4. The Spruce Eats — https://www.thespruceeats.com/history-of-fondue-1807600
    Supports: Swiss origin, bread-dipping tradition, and chocolate fondue as a variation.