Image by Earth

Café de Paris sauce

Ah, Café de Paris sauce, an exquisite delicacy that finds its roots in the French cuisine. The sublime flavors of this savory emulsion have tantalized taste buds for centuries, earning the title of one of the most lauded sauces in existence.

Café de Paris sauce


The tantalizing combination of butter and herbs makes for a complex flavor profile that complements nearly all savory dishes. Its compositions consists of a mix of dried herbs, white wine, beef stock, and mustard, all of which are thoroughly blended together and slowly simmered with butter to ensure a velvety consistency.

Unlike many other sauces, the immaculate flavor of Café de Paris sauce is entirely adaptable, making it the perfect accompaniment to a vast array of dishes. Its versatility has allowed for it to become a staple in cuisines all around the world, as chefs have found creative outlets to incorporate this unforgettable sauce into their repertoire.

This culinary marvel can be enjoyed all year round, but, of course, its piquant aroma and distinct taste are best experienced when the warmth of summer is around. Many restaurants even serve the sauce as a condiment, allowing those seeking the excursive flavor to enjoy it without the fuss of cooking it up at home.

Café de Paris sauce is a harmonious fusion of enchanting flavors, and its modern history is a testament to the ambition of true French cuisine. For those looking to explore the diverse culinary landscape, this sauce is a must-try.

The origin of Café de Paris sauce

Ah, Café de Paris sauce: that delightful Swiss concoction of herbs and spices, butter, and cream, so often enjoyed by epicures around the world. The origin of this delicious dish can be traced back to some of the most remarkable gastronomic innovations in culinary history.

The creation of Café de Paris sauce is often credited to a Swiss chef named Auguste Escoffier, who served it in the late 19th century at his famous London restaurant, the Savoy. He claimed to have created the sauce himself, inspired by a trip to the bustling French bistros of Paris. He noted that the French chefs used a variety of herbs and spices, and wanted to create something similar but with a distinctly Swiss flourish.

To achieve this, Escoffier combined shallots, garlic, chives, anchovies, capers, paprika, and pepper, which he blended together to make a piquant sauce. He then added a generous amount of butter, cream, and cognac to balance out the flavors and provide a rich, silky texture.

Café de Paris quickly became a sensation, served at the Savoy and other high-end restaurants up and down the country. It was also popular amongst those in the theater district, who enjoyed it as an accompaniment to steak and other dishes.

Today, Café de Paris remains a popular dish, much sought after by connoisseurs of fine cuisine. Although there are various interpretations of the original recipe, the fundamental elements remain much the same, enabling many aficionados to re-create that tart, creamy flavor of the original.

FAQs about Café de Paris sauce

What Flavour is Cafe de Paris?

Cafe de Paris is traditionally a blend of dark coffees and dark-roasted Robusta beans, with mild hints of aniseed and liquorice.


What is Café de Paris sauce made of?

Café de Paris sauce is a creamy, buttery sauce made with fresh garlic, parsley, capers, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brandy, and lemon juice.


What is in Cafe de Paris?

Cafe de Paris typically offers a variety of freshly prepared food, such as sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, cakes, and coffee. They may also offer other specialties like French-style dishes, crepes, and barista drinks.


Why is it called Cafe de Paris butter?

Cafe de Paris butter is a type of compound butter named after the Café de Paris in London, England. The Cafe de Paris was renowned for its French cuisine, so the name was chosen to pay homage to this establishment. Compound butters are flavoured butters that are used to add flavour and richness to dishes. The Cafe de Paris butter includes parsley, anchovy, garlic, fresh lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce, creating a unique and flavourful addition to a variety of dishes.


Types of Café de Paris sauce

Café de Paris sauce, an opulent and exquisite condiment, is a tantalizingly delectable delight that is popularly used to enhance the taste of many different dishes. From simple steamed vegetables to juicy grilled steaks or succulent prawns, Café de Paris can take any meal from mundane to magnificent.

Created a century ago in the city of its namesake, the eponymous concoction combines a delicious array of ingredients including butter, shallots, garlic, parsley, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brandy, heavy cream and various herbs and spices. Depending on the recipe, these ingredients are ingeniously married together to produce the remarkably complex flavour profile of Café de Paris. As with any well-crafted dish, each chef has their own unique spin they bring to this delectable sauce.

Some may opt for a lighter, more piquant version that’s brimming with tangy tomatoes and crunchy shallots, while others might choose to add a bit of sweetness by incorporating some honey, brown sugar or maple syrup. Some chefs further embellish the sauce by infusing it with Dijon mustard or horseradish, giving it a zesty kick.

At its heart, Café de Paris is a delightful medley of full-bodied yet delicate flavours. The myriad of herbs and spices add a subtle but powerful depth to the sauce that can mimic the complex character of French cuisine. Whether served over steak or seafood, a good quality version of Café de Paris is sure to elevate any meal into something truly gourmet.