Some food traditions never die and others come back and experience a great renaissance. Fondue is one of those unique foods that have made a resurgence into today’s culture, appearing at parties everywhere, from the college dormitory to the sophisticated upscale event.
If you’re old enough, you may remember the fondue craze of the 1970s. Nearly every household in-the-know owned a fondue pot, and the snack of choice was a gooey cheese and wine mixture enjoyed with chunks of bread. For dessert, the fondue was chocolate, served with pieces of pound cake or sweet fruits like strawberries, apples, or bananas.
Yesterday and Today
Not much has changed since that time. Today’s fondue is remarkably similar to the fondue of yesteryear, with perhaps a few small changes. Healthy veggies sometimes replace the bread and fruit is the overwhelming choice over cake and other sweet goodies. Heat sources are a little more advanced and pots are made of a larger variety of materials.
Meat fondue is also popular this time around. Some fondue pots are designed to heat oil to a high temperature, allowing party-goers to cook chunks of meat as part of their fondue meal, making it more well-balanced. Dipping sauces are provided for the meat.
Before You Buy Your First Fondue Set
If you’ve never delved into the world of fondue, you’ll need a little instruction before making your first purchase. These days, fondue newbies can become confused by the vast number of choices available in the stores. And nearly everyone sells them – from discount department stores to upscale kitchen specialty establishments.
Research carefully and don’t hesitate to comparison shop. The sets you buy at specialty stores aren’t necessarily far superior to others at less expensive retail locations. Compare features to be sure that you’re getting the best value for your dollar.
What to Look for in a Fondue Set
While shopping for your first fondue pot, there are a number of issues to consider. For what reason are you buying a pot? Is it merely for one-time usage at a party or is it something you plan to use on a consistent basis? If you think fondue is a food you’ll be enjoying regularly, invest a little more for a quality set, perhaps the traditional earthenware pot. It’s more heavy duty and distributes heat more evenly. Other pots might be made of glazed ceramic or enameled iron. Both are fine but not as sturdy as the earthenware variety.
It you’re having a party with more than a handful of guests, you’ll definitely need to buy more than one pot. Each fondue pot generally accommodates 4-6 people comfortably, so plan accordingly.
Also, if you plan to serve different varieties of fondue – for example, traditional cheese, chocolate, and meat – you’ll want to purchase a pot for each. The traditional earthenware fondue pot – or caquelon in Swiss – works just fine for cheese fondue. For meat fondue, which involves heating butter and/or oils to a very high temperature, the pot must be extremely sturdy. Consider one of the cast iron variety. Most have a colorful enamel finish. (These are also appropriate for cheese fondue.) For the chocolate or dessert variety, look for a smaller pot with a low heat source, such as a tea light.
Stainless steel and copper pots are also all the rage this time around, but are definitely more costly than earthenware, ceramic, or cast iron.
Fondue Accessories
The other pieces of your fondue set can be equally as important as the pot itself. Most fondue sets come with a tray, a container for the heat source (like Sterno or a candle), a stand, forks, and the pot itself. A diffuser for the canned heat source is also suggested so that you can control the amount of heat released, avoiding burnt cheese or chocolate. Candles can be used for chocolate or cheese but not meat. They require something hotter. Be sure to have enough appropriate fuel on hand to last throughout your meal or party.
If possible, find a set with color-coded forks that allow users to distinguish one from another. If that’s not possible, figure out a solution for avoiding fork mix-ups. Everyone will no doubt prefer to have their own.
Price
A standard fondue set should cost anywhere between $20 and $60, depending on where you purchase it. Expect to pay more at a specialty shop. Copper and stainless steel pots can reach into the low $100s but are quite attractive and make a nice decoration for your kitchen counter or island.