Apart from its monuments and historical places, France is also known for its cuisine, which is an exotic blend of spices, cheese and wine. Every region in France is popular for a long list of foods that are enjoyed by the locals as well as tourists. The ingredients and dishes are different in every region. For example, the food in the northern region of France will be different from the south. Historical Background Being diverse, the birth of modern French cuisine can be attributed to the Middle Ages. It has evolved in a widespread way over time. The main contribution to this wide range of foods is the different geographies and climates, which facilitate the production of different types of ingredients. There are also regional influences, combined with immigration and neighboring countries, in cooking styles. Italian cuisine has also been a great influence on the French culinary arts, especially during the 15th and 16th centuries. This was the period when a Florentine princess Catherine De Medicis (married to King Henry II of France ) brought her Italian chefs who introduced a new range of ingredients and dishes. Another turning point in the French food industry was the French Revolution. This was the period where chefs began experimenting with new ingredients and came up with equally enticing dishes. Sauces were introduced in the cuisine by Marie-Antoine Carême, who named his sauces mother or base sauces. Haute Cuisine, also referred to as High Cuisine, was developed between the 17th and 18th century by a chef named La Varenne. Modest and less extravagant recipes were experimented during this era. Modernization took place in the late 19th and early 20th century. This change can be credited to Georges Auguste Escoffier, who developed a brigade system in kitchens, where different chefs were assigned for different tasks. Over time, the French cuisine has seen a number of changes and new techniques been introduced, to perfect the culinary art. Interesting Facts about French Cuisine Experimenting with French food is a sure delight and you can hon your culinary skills. French cuisine is an excellent blend of the right amount of spices, that lend the food its flavor and aroma. Cooked with precise care, French food has high gastronomic value in the food industry. Here are some facts that will help you have a closer look at this world famous cuisine.

• French cuisine is categorized according to dishes it includes. The Classical French Cuisine, which includes some of the classy regional dishes that are prepared using cream based sauces. A sub category of the classical French cuisine - Haute cuisine - is the more expensive variant and is served in French restaurants across the globe, outside France. Cuisine Nouvelle includes lighter recipes without the use of heavy cream sauces and seasonal dishes are made using local ingredients. The third type, Cuisine du Terroir, is made according to the local tradition using only the local ingredients.
• The main ingredient is different kinds of cheese, which makes its appearance in every dish, may be as a side or sometimes the main ingredient. Cheese sauces are also used for dipping.
• There are many famous food items that are known for the exquisite way in which they are prepared. In the regional cuisine, locals use fruits and vegetables grown by them. Some of the locally grown vegetables include carrots, eggplant, leek, potato, shallot, turnip and zucchini.
• The French also consume a healthy share of fruits. Some of the fruits commonly included in making pies, tarts etc. are apples, apricots, blackberries, blackcurrant, cherries, grape, oranges, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines and tomatoes etc.
• The traditional meal normally includes food like crepes, couscous (a type of pasta), duck, pates, saucisson (dried sausage) and terrines. Apart from this, the staple food mainly consists of different varieties of cheeses, canned vegetables, baguette (French stick bread), pasta (with carbonara sauce), rice, ham and steak hache.
• Apart from cheese, meat is also consumed in large quantities. Beef, chicken, duck, frog, goose, horse, lamb, mutton, pork, quail, rabbit, snails, squab, turkey and veal are some of the commonly eaten meats. They are included in a number of delicacies and enjoyed by the young and old alike.
• Another key ingredient is truffle. Not to be confused as chocolate confections, the truffle is actually a type of an aromatic fungi. These fungi grow in the wild and the French use pigs and dogs to find them as these animals can smell them quite distinctly.
• A great accompaniment for food is the French wine, making it an integral part of every meal. Having a meal without wine is considered to be incomplete. France is a land of many wines and is consumed just like water. The French always make sure that the wine served complements the food served. The red wine is served for red meat, whereas the white wine accompanies poultry and seafood.
• The French believe in eating food the same way in which it was cooked. The duration of a lunch on any given day may last for up to two hours. Dinners normally consist of a four course meal, complete with appetizers, main course, bread and cheese, and a dessert to wrap it up.
• Along with the appetizer a drink known as aperitif is served to guests. It is a kind of a cocktail which is served as an accompaniment for appetizers and usually includes gimlets, manhattans and martinis. This is considered to be a stylish way of treating the guests.

You can try some traditional French recipes and enjoy a taste of this food and wine country, in your home. In a country where eating is not just an act but a culture, food is prepared with great care and expertise.