Facts about French Food an Cooking
French Fries May Not Actually Have Been Invented in France
In the United States, everybody says “French fries”. This is perhaps due to the fact that Thomas Jefferson brought the recipe back from France after serving as the American Minister to France from 1784 to 1789. However, the history of the potato stretches much further back than we even know.
The Native Americans who lived in modern Peru and Bolivia were the first to cultivate the potato. Since they also had access to cooking oil, odds are high that fries were actually invented by the Native Americans. If this isn’t the case, then the next in line would be the Spanish, who were the first to bring the potato crop back to Europe.
The croissant was invented in Vienna
The croissant, a delicate, flaky French pastry, was actually invented in Vienna, Austria. Marie Antoinette popularized the croissant in France by requesting the royal bakers replicate her favourite treat from her homeland, Austria.
Baguettes are free
Most restaurants in France will serve baguettes as a free side. The best part about this is that they are also served in unlimited quantities in most circumstances. However, keep in mind that although baguettes are a wonderful treat for anybody, you should still focus your attention on the starter course, main dish, dessert, and so on.
Upon your arrival in a French restaurant, the first thing that will be served is a small basket filled with a baguette cut into serving sizes of about 2 inches. That will allow you to calm your hunger while waiting for your order, raising your satiety sensation sooner, and allowing you to concentrate on savouring every bite, spending quality time with your friends or family.
Just keep in mind that since bread only costs €0.50 to €1.00 in a typical bakery that it is inexpensive in the first place. Places that offer free bread do so as a means of getting your appetite fulfilled for less.
France Is the Second Largest Wine Producer
Outside of high-quality cuisine, France also produces enough of this alcoholic beverage to be placed second in total production. Although trailing just a tad to Italy, global export is higher than almost the rest of the competition combined. As a result, if you want to experience some of the most expertly fermented drinks around, this is the place to come.
Of course, with high production come lower prices. It is common to find bottles with a price tag around € 5, – or less here. Just be sure to indulge in moderation. Although you won’t be judged you if you don’t.
The Drinking Age is Only 16 Years Old
Anybody who wants to have wine or beer only has to be 16 years old to do so. However, if you choose to drink hard liquor (over 21% alcohol) you will need to be 18. In comparison, the United States has a drinking age which is 21 years old. If you are a parent who has a teenager or young adult seeking to come here, this could be one reason why.
Breakfast is Not the Most Important Meal
The main meal in France is usually lunch and dinner. Breakfast is normally something small. Typically, a typical breakfast is something like a croissant served with coffee. Lunch is a bit heavier. This might include a starter dish and the main course, sometimes finished with fromage or a desert.
Then, appetites are built up for dinner. Typically, dinner won’t be served until past 7 PM, or later. Much of the fun for dining is to spend quality time with those who eat together. As a result, a dining experience here can take much longer than it does with many other cultures.
Snails & Oysters Are Popular Dishes
One of the common delicacies here is boiled snails served with a sauce made of butter and parsley. This product, known as escargots, is a common starter dish here and is absolutely worth eating if you get the chance. This is a popular delicacy that dates back all the way to ancient times.
Another wonderful product that you should try is the raw oysters. Although there are a wide variety of great recipes, they can be served with bread and butter, cheese, lemon, and salt & pepper, paired with a glass of Sauvignon blanc.
Lunch Breaks Are Up to Two Hours Long
As briefly mentioned above, a meal is an important part of people’s daily lives for bringing families and friends together. It is a privilege to be around others that care about one another and they take advantage of these moments here. One thing all the French love to do is eat. As a result, extra-long meals are frequent and lunch breaks are sometimes up two hours.
However, this often only adds up to an hour or so when you clock in the time needed for getting there and actually receiving your dish. Additionally, taking a lunch break this long routinely is a great way to illustrate to your employer that you aren’t committed to your job.
It is nice to enjoy your dining experience instead of simply gobbling your plate down into your stomach like a starving animal. Take small bites, savour the taste, and enjoy the delicious taste of your plate. If you keep all of these things in mind when you see Paris, you will fit in perfectly.
There are More Types of Cheese Than You Know
With over 365 different types of cheeses here, it will take a long time for you to even have the time to try them all. If you tried a new one each day of the year, it would take an entire year to sample it all. Most interestingly, with all the different variations, the total number may actually be over 1,000.
This is a product that French appreciate all its variety. The French eat more cheese than any other country in the world. They average 45 pounds of cheese per person, per year.
Throwing Away Spare Food Is Unlawful
Unlike most countries on Earth, supermarkets here cannot throw away unsold products that are approaching its expiry date. Instead, the spare products need to be donated to charities which will feed the poor, who have a difficult time providing for themselves. This also helps eliminate them from the dumpster diving outside of supermarkets.
