Mousse Facts for Kids

For other uses, see Mousse (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Mousse
Chocolate mousse garnished with ground cinnamon
Course	Dessert
Main ingredients	Whipped egg whites or whipped cream, chocolate or puréed fruit
Variations	Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, choco vanilla etc.

A mousse (say "moose") is a super light and airy food. It gets its special texture from tiny air bubbles mixed into it. Mousse can be soft and fluffy or thick and creamy, depending on how it's made. You can find both sweet and savory kinds of mousse!

Sweet Mousse: A Delicious Treat
Savory Mousse: A Surprising Dish
History of Mousse
Savory Fish Mousse
Gallery
See also

Sweet Mousse: A Delicious Treat

Sweet mousses are often made with whipped egg whites, whipped cream, or sometimes both. They get their yummy flavor from things like chocolate, coffee, caramel, or mashed-up fruits. You might also find flavors like mint or vanilla.

For some chocolate mousses, egg yolks are mixed into melted chocolate. This makes the mousse taste even richer and feel smoother in your mouth. Mousses are usually chilled before you eat them, which makes them a bit firmer. Sometimes, they are even frozen in special molds to give them a cool shape. Sweet mousse is a popular dessert or a light filling for cakes. Sometimes, a little gelatin is added to help it hold its shape.

Savory Mousse: A Surprising Dish

Not all mousses are sweet! Savory mousses can be made from meat, fish, shellfish, cheese, or vegetables. Hot savory mousses often get their light texture from beaten egg whites, just like some sweet ones.

History of Mousse

The idea of a light, foamy dessert has been around for a long time. As far back as 1768, people were making desserts with whipped cream. They would mix in things like coffee, liqueurs, chocolate, or fruits. These early treats were called names like crème en mousse (which means 'cream in a foam') or mousse ('foam'). Modern mousses are a continuation of these old, foamy traditions.

Savory Fish Mousse

In the United States, especially in the 1950s, fish mousse was a popular savory dish. It was often served with brown bread and butter. While it's not as common today, you might still find it as a party dip sometimes.