Alongside Italian and Chinese, French cuisine completes the trifecta of the world’s most popular cuisines. French cuisine is seen as an art form, for not just its many varied techniques, ingredients, scale of presentation and of course elegance. Paris is definitely one of those food destinations on most of our bucket-lists. Welcome to our deep dive into Surprising French Food Facts that will challenge what you thought you knew about French cuisine. From the true origin of French fries to why French people don’t butter their bread, let’s unravel these culinary mysteries!
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French Fries are NOT French
French fries or frites as they’re known in French are not a French culinary invention. They were invented in Belgium, a country that shares a long border with France. French is one of the official languages of Belgium and this is mainly the reason for the confusion of where the now ubiquitous dish was invented.
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The French do not butter their bread
If you visit a restaurant in Paris, chances are that you will be served a basket of bread before your food arrives. What will be conspicuous by its absence will be the lack of any butter. This is because the French eat bread along with their courses. The purpose of this is to scoop up any sauce, jus or liquid that may remain in the bowl.
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Raw oysters are a delicacy served at Christmas
Unlike in most parts of the world where red meat, poultry and even turkey is the choice of protein at celebrations like Christmas; the French prefer raw oysters. Raw oysters are served with lemon and pepper, along with foie-gras (goose liver pate) and smoked salmon at Christmas dinners.
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The French love themselves some jam
The French love jams, preserves, and confitures. Thanks to a wide range of fruits produced across the country, French children from a rather young age are used to eating a wide range of jams, which continue to be a breakfast staple even into adulthood.
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There are close to 1500 varieties of cheese in France
One of the food associations that is ubiquitous with France is its love for cheese. The French produce nearly 1500 varieties of cheese across the country. French cheeses are highly prized and very often even the smallest quantities can sell for hundreds of dollars, all over the world.
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The French consider plating just as important as the taste of a dish
It is often said that eating begins with the eyes, and only then with the tastebuds. One of the most Surprising French Food Facts is that the French consider the art of plating just as important as the taste of the dish itself. French chefs are absolutely obsessed with presenting their creations in the most aesthetic ways possible. A young apprentice chef will be schooled about the art of presentation, almost as thoroughly as he/she will have learned the art of cooking.
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Duck is a favourite protein
French bistros often advertise ‘canard’ or duck as a specialty. The traditional French way of cooking the duck is to slow cook it with wine, allowing the fat to melt off and leave the skin crispy. Sounds yum, doesn’t it?
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Macarons are not eaten very often
One of the world’s most sought after desserts is the fluffy, airy concoction called the macaron. However the Frenh don’t consume it very often. It is usually seen as more of a gifting item, or a treat for a special occasion. What do the French prefer for desserts? Well the most popular options are flavoured yogurt, fruits or a few pieces of dark chocolate.
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The city of Paris has a mushroom named after it
The common white variety of mushrooms scientifically known as ‘Agaricus Bisporus’ is coloquially referred to as Champignon de Paris or the mushroom of Paris. While this type of mushroom is found all over Europe, Be that as it may, the official French name is the Paris Mushroom.
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French food is normally named after the city or region it originated from
Champagne originates in the Champagne region. Bordeaux reds, come from Bordeaux. Dijon is known for mustard, and so on. This is because these are internationally protected legal designations and can only be produced in those areas.
French cuisine is an absolute treat for the senses and is truly an experience to cherish. Begin your exploration of French food with us. We have a wide selection of some of France’s most sought after brands, condiments and raw materials. So there you have it, our top 10 Surprising French Food Facts that add a layer of complexity and intrigue to the already fascinating world of French cuisine.