The French produce and consume the most cheese in the world.
France is a country famous for its extravagant gastronomies, which is why French is a favorite cuisine among food lovers everywhere. The French believe that food should be relished and savored. Outside of the cities, it is not uncommon for businesses to shut their doors between noon and 2 p.m. for lunch.
Cheese
Cheese, or fromage, is one of the most recognizable foods in France. Boasting more than 400 types of cheese, the French consume and produce more cheese than any other country in the world. In a typical French feast, le fromage is the third course of the meal, following the plat principal (main course). A typical cheese plate contains at least three to four cheeses, with everyone getting a slice of each. Popular French cheeses include: Camembert, Roquefort and Brie.
French Food Styles
The three styles of French cooking are cuisine Bourgeoise, haute cuisine and cusine nouvelle. Bourgeoise contains the most rich and filling foods, such as cream-based sauces. Haute cuisine is often beautifully presented and uses only the finest ingredients. It is considered the most sophisticated and expensive food. Cuisine nouvelle specializes in quicker and lighter cooking, relying more on local or seasonal ingredients than on heavy creams.
Apertif and Digestif
An apertif is an alcoholic drink designed to subtly whet the appetite. It is served with appetizers prior to the meal. Some popular French apertifs are Kir, Pastis, Whisky and Champagne, for special occasions. Conversely, the digestif, which is meant to aid in the meal's digestion, follows the dessert or coffee course. Digestifs are usually drunk straight and are usually spirits, such as cognac or brandy.
Wine
France produces hundres of varieties of wine and is also regarded as the birthplace of Champagne. Each region and district produces its own distinct wine. Wine is a vital part of every French meal and is often considered as important as the meal itself. Vin de table is an economically priced wine that is often the "house wine" of a restaurant. Vin de Pays are distinguished by their grape varieties and regions. The AOC, or Appellation d'Origine Controlee, boasts the top quality of French wine. Winemakers must adhere to strict rules and regulations to gain admittance into this category. Naturally, AOC wines also command the highest prices.
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