- Fondue is a Swiss word that means "to melt." Fondue itself is a traditional Swiss meal that is served as a group dish where multiple people dip things into melted sauces.
- Fondue's original purpose was to preserve food. Before modern methods, Swiss natives would store bread and cheese in the summer and fall to eat during the harsh winters. But, the bread would stale and hard, and the cheese would become brittle. The first fondue was made when the Swiss decided to melt the cheese and dip the bread into the cheese to soften it.
- Chocolate fondue was created in the 1960s, along with other dessert fondues, which can involve anything from caramel to honey to marshmallows. These fondues can also have nuts, coconut or other things added to their mixtures for increased flavor.
- Fruit, bread, pretzel sticks, marshmallows, pastries and small pieces of cakes are usually dipped in the mixture of chocolate and wine.
- Fondue, like other public dishes, has a proper conduct that is expected to be followed. You should never allow your lips, tongue or fingertips to touch your dipping utensil. That is considered rude and unhealthy. It will contaminate the fondue.
- When dipping fondue, it is taboo to double-dip. Once your piece of food has been dipped, you cannot redip it.
