Fondue: 10 surprising facts about the Swiss tradition of togetherness

Fondue is the perfect excuse to gather around the table, forks at the ready, and laugh at whoever drops their bread. It’s cozy, traditional, and just a little chaotic. Here are 10 fondue facts that will make you the hero of any fondue night.

Where it all began

1. What does the word fondue mean?
Simple: it comes from the French fondre, which means “to melt.” Exactly what happens in the pot.

2. What’s the oldest known cheese fondue recipe?
In 1699, a cookbook published in Zurich included a recipe titled Käss mit Wein zu kochen. Translation: cheese cooked with wine. Still sounds like a brilliant idea today.

3. What did fondue look like in the past?
Not what you might think: in the 18th century, fondue often mixed eggs with cheese. Basically a deluxe cheese omelet. The pure melted cheese version came later.

4. Who made fondue famous?
The Swiss Cheese Union. In the 1930s, they promoted it with the slogan: “Fondue isch guet und git e gueti Luune”. Roughly: fondue makes you happy. And so the global fondue craze began.

Traditions and table secrets

5. What is “la religieuse”?
That crispy layer at the bottom of the pot. The name sounds sacred, but everyone knows: it’s secretly the best bite of the whole fondue.

6. What happens if your bread falls into the fondue pot?
According to the unwritten fondue rule, there’s a “penalty.” Maybe you buy the next round, sing a song, or do a silly dance. Rules differ, but it’s always embarrassing. Read more about The Bread Drop Rule.

7. Why do you stir fondue in a figure-eight?
Not just for show: it keeps the cheese smooth and stops it from burning. A mini workout for your wrist.

Practical know-how for home

8. Why should you grate cheese yourself for fondue?
Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents. They ruin the texture. Freshly grated = much creamier (and a great excuse to buy a quality block of cheese).

Records That Melt the Mind

9. What’s the biggest cheese fondue ever made?
In 2025, in France (Le Fort des Rousses), they prepared a fondue weighing over 2,177 kilos/4,799 lbs of Comté. It took 40 wheels of Comté to pull it off. Enough cheese to feed an entire village.

10. What’s the largest fondue set in the world?
A pot with a 2.6-meter/102.36 inch diameter and fondue forks measuring 2.61 meters/102.76 inch long. A set the size of a small hot tub.

Quick recap

• Fondue means “to melt” – and that’s exactly what happens.
• The oldest recipe dates back to 1699: cheese with wine.
• It used to include eggs until the Cheese Union turned it into a party.
• Table secrets: la religieuse, penalties for bread drops, and stirring in a figure-eight.
• Grating your own cheese = creamier results.
• Yes, fondue records exist: thousands of kilos of cheese and pots the size of living rooms.

Whether you’re here for the history, the quirky rules, or simply the gooey cheese: fondue is always a good idea. So set the pot on the table, grab your fork, and enjoy the night. Extra tip: at BOSKA you’ll find fondue sets in all shapes and sizes – perfect for a cozy evening. And if you don’t feel like mixing your own, Emmi’s ready-made cheese fondue is a delicious shortcut.

Check out delicious fondue recipes