Mousse

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

This light, fluffy, creamy sweet or savory treat hails from 18th-century France. The word mousse itself means foam in French, and its foamy texture comes from the air bubbles held in suspension throughout it. Sweet mousses are usually made with whipped egg whites or whipped cream, and they come in numerous flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. The most famous, of course, is the chocolate mousse, or mousse au chocolat . Although it isn't known who the inventor of the dish is, the first recipe for chocolate mousse is believed to date from the second half of the 19th century. Once a specialty exclusive to French cuisine, mousse began appearing in American and British restaurants in the 1960s. Today, it enjoys incredible popularity and a place on the table in restaurants worldwide.