It’s hard to believe that desserts in France initially used to be a classic combination of cheese and fruit, considering the incredible repertoire of famous French desserts we have now! The French, over the years, have mastered the art of treating flour, butter, chocolate and all things good to create an array of delicious desserts that have a stamp of French cooking on them! With the combination of simple ingredients and intricate processes, some of the most popular desserts, the world over are French. Crème brulees, macaroons, Éclairs, profiteroles, classic crepes, meringues, creamy custards that we all love are creations from skilled pastry chef of France.

Breads may be the most basic of foods, but in France baking breads is almost a revered art form. Many French families still buy their bread fresh every morning and first time visitors to France are often surprised by the number of independent boulangeries, bakeries that still operate in the cities and towns, and even in some villages. Crusty baguette’s, light buttery croissants or a delicious broche are some of the more popular breads from France, but writing about all the different types of breads the French bake, might require a book or two.

There are no two thoughts about where the best wine in the world comes from – its France and France all the way! Vineyards in France have produced just about all types of wines - red, white, rosé, sweet, dry, sparkling, opulent, austere, mineral-scented, fruity! This diversity in French wine is mostly because of the country’s wide climatic ranges. Chardonnay, pinot noir, Chablis are some classic French wines that give testimony to a famous Martin Luther quote – ‘beer is made by men, wine by gods!’ 

It’s no secret that the base for most great recipes is a good sauce, it’s no surprise either that most of these sauces find their origin in France. A roux, which is flour that is sautéed in butter, is the base for a lot of French as well as other Continental recipes. Béchamel, Veloute, Tomat, Brown Sauce and Hollandaise Sauce are the basic blocks of French cuisine. Once you mastered the art of creating these velvety sauces, you are one big step closer to putting together a good French meal.