France is one of the world's culinary capitals. With an endless list of delicacies and fine dining options, there is no shortage of things to eat in France. After you've explored the country with a local guide, you'll want to sample some of these tasty treats while on your own gastronomic journey through France!
France is one of the world's culinary capitals
France is one of the world's culinary capitals. The country has a rich and varied cuisine that reflects its history and geography, as well as the influences of other cultures. French culinary traditions have been shaped by an array of factors, including:
- The climate, which varies from region to region
- The local produce available at any given time (and its availability)
Baguettes
The baguette is a popular French bread that originated in France. It is made from wheat flour and water, then baked in an oven. The baguette originated from the French word for "wand" or "baton," as it resembles a stick of wood (or baton). There are many varieties of baguettes available today: whole grain, rye, organic--and even gluten-free, especially popular is Parisian baguette, white baguette from Paris!
Cheese
Cheese is a big part of French cuisine. There are many different types of cheese, some more famous than others. Cheese can be served with wine or as an appetizer before dinner, or it can be eaten with baguettes as a snack. Cheese is often served in France at the end of meals on its own or alongside fruit and other desserts such as chocolate mousse (which you will learn about later).
Pates and terrines
Pates and terrines are meat, fish or vegetable dishes that are cooked in a terrine or mold. They can be served hot or cold and usually accompanied by toast points or crackers. Pates are made with a variety of ingredients including ground meat (pork, chicken), fish roe (smoked salmon pate) and liver pate (foie gras). Pates can be smooth like mousse or chunky like pates de campagne (country style pate). Terrines are similar to pates but have less fat content and more liquid added during cooking which makes them thicker than their counterpart.
Duck
Duck is a very fatty bird, so you want to make sure that it's cooked at a high temperature. The best way to do this is by roasting it or braising it in red wine. Duck can also be pan-fried or grilled, but these methods don't produce as much fat as roasting and braising do--so you won't get quite as much flavor out of them!
Foie Gras
Foie gras, or fattened liver, is a delicacy found all over France. The dish has been produced since ancient times and has become an important part of French gastronomy. Foie gras is made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been fattened through force-feeding. It can be bought fresh in markets or restaurants and served hot or cold as a starter course with bread and wine (duck foie gras), or used in main courses such as terrine de foie gras (mousse made with goose or duck livers).
Because of its high fat content, foie gras has been criticized by animal rights activists who say it causes unnecessary suffering to animals because they are forced to eat more than they would naturally consume on their own; however, others believe this method prevents disease from occurring within poultry populations due to overfeeding by humans--and therefore considers it sustainable agriculture practice rather than cruelty against animals.
Frogs legs and snail tart
This snail tart is a French delicacy that can be found in most restaurants in France. It's similar to quiche, but it's made with eggs and cheese instead of milk. This dish is often served as an appetizer or main course, so if you're looking for something light and eggy, this might be the dish for you!
Wine
French wine is the most popular in the world, and it's no wonder: French vineyards produce some of the best wines on earth. The grapes used to make these wines come from France's many regions, each with its own unique terroir and climate. Wine has been made in France since Roman times, but it wasn't until the Middle Ages that people began making red wine exclusively--white grapes were used mostly for making brandy or vinegar at that time. Today there are two main types of grapes grown in France: red (like Pinot Noir) and white (such as Chardonnay).
Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine is a French pastry made with flaky pastry, eggs and cream. It is named after the province of Lorraine in northeastern France. Quiche Lorraine can be baked as a tart or in a pie shell. The filling usually contains bacon or ham and Gruyere cheese, but other ingredients such as mushrooms or onions may also be used.
France is one of the world's culinary capitals. The country has a rich history of food, and it shows in everything from the traditional French fare to modern dishes. Traditional French food is often served in most hotels in France. With so much variety to choose from, there are plenty of options for anyone who wants to experience what France has to offer!