| The French are proud of their cuisine to an almost | | | | chanterelles in all kinds of novel and delicious ways. |
| pathological degree, but their chauvinism hides the | | | | 2. Meats: French food is notoriously meaty, which |
| fact that there really is no easy way to define | | | | makes it difficult for vegetarians to find good |
| French cuisine. Like French culture itself, French | | | | dining experiences when visiting France (although |
| cuisine is very cosmopolitan in character, | | | | Paris now has many more vegetarian restaurants |
| combining elements of foods from elsewhere in | | | | than it used to). However, even though most |
| Europe and throughout the world. They're also | | | | meals feature meat, there are usually smaller |
| known for their experimentalism, so if you only | | | | meat portions than there are in American foods. |
| visit the country once every few years, you may | | | | The vegetables play large roles, and the meat |
| have a completely different dining experience | | | | often takes an almost side-dish status. |
| every time you go. | | | | The French eat plenty of beef, chicken, and pork, |
| So compared to other types of cuisine, French | | | | but you can also expect to find slightly more |
| food is particularly difficult to categorize or to | | | | exotic animal foods such as rabbit, duck, goose, |
| describe in general terms. And one more | | | | mutton, quail, frog, and snail. |
| important point must be mentioned: There is of | | | | 3. Cheese: The French are proud of their cheese, |
| course more to France than Paris, and there are | | | | and it's thought that they eat more cheese per |
| many cities and regions throughout the country | | | | capita than any other people in the world. If |
| that are very proud of their local foods. Naturally, | | | | you're going to be visiting the country soon, don't |
| this makes French food even more difficult to | | | | pass up any opportunity to try out a fresh local |
| define. | | | | cheese. You'll find many varieties that aren't |
| With all of that in mind, let's identify some of the | | | | available in the U.S., and many are uncommonly |
| main features of French cuisine and how it differs | | | | delicious. |
| from other types of food. | | | | 4. Three meals: The French breakfast, le petit |
| 1. Popular fruits and vegetables: The vegetables | | | | dejeuner, is usually light and quick, featuring bread |
| most commonly used in French cuisine are: | | | | and jelly, croissants, pastries, and coffee or tea. |
| · potatoes | | | | Larger breakfasts often consist of omelettes or |
| · green beans | | | | quiche. |
| · carrots | | | | French lunch, le dejeuner, is long and luxurious, |
| · leeks | | | | often consisting of sandwiches, including plenty of |
| · turnips | | | | bread and cheese. |
| · eggplants | | | | The French dinner, le diner, often has three |
| · zucchinis | | | | courses, including an introductory course of soup |
| · shallots | | | | and salad, followed by a main course and then a |
| · tomatoes | | | | cheese or dessert course. Bread, wine, and |
| The most common fruits include: | | | | cheese are served with most meals. |
| · oranges | | | | 5. French beverages: Wine is a staple, and beer is |
| · tangerines | | | | growing in popularity, especially local French and |
| · peaches | | | | Belgian varieties. Cider and sparkling water are |
| · apricots | | | | also popular accompaniment to meals, and French |
| · pears | | | | coffee drinks tend to be very similar in character |
| · cherries | | | | to Italian varieties. They generally don't have |
| · strawberries | | | | drip-style coffee, but you can always ask for |
| · blackberries | | | | cafe Americain, which is an American-style coffee |
| The French also love mushrooms, and make | | | | made with an espresso machine. |
| truffles, porcinis, oyster mushrooms, and | | | | |