Question 1

True or false: Authentic poutine traditionally uses shredded mozzarella cheese, not cheese curds.

Accepted Answer

False. Real poutine uses fresh, squeaky cheese curds. Mozzarella is a common American substitute but is not traditional—purists insist on curds for the texture.

Question 2

True or false: Poutine was banned in the United States for several years due to unpasteurized cheese curds.

Accepted Answer

False. No such ban ever existed. Poutine has always been legally available in the US using pasteurized cheese curds, which meet FDA safety standards.

Question 3

True or false: Poutine festivals in Quebec often feature gourmet versions with foie gras, lobster, or truffle oil.

Accepted Answer

True. Quebec's many poutine festivals (like Montréal's Poutine Week) encourage chefs to create upscale variations, including luxurious ingredients like foie gras and truffles.

Question 4

True or false: Poutine was originally served as a breakfast item with eggs and bacon mixed in.

Accepted Answer

False. Poutine started as a simple late-night snack of fries, curds, and gravy. Breakfast poutines with eggs are a modern twist, not the original recipe.

Question 5

True or false: Poutine is the official national dish of Canada, recognized by an act of Parliament in 2015.

Accepted Answer

False. Canada has no official national dish. Poutine is a popular Canadian food, but no act of Parliament has declared it the national dish.

Question 6

True or false: Poutine is a dish consisting of french fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy.

Accepted Answer

True. Poutine originated in Quebec, Canada, and its three core ingredients are french fries, fresh cheese curds, and a brown gravy.

Question 7

True or false: Poutine is a Canadian dish that originated in Quebec and consists of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy.

Accepted Answer

True. Poutine emerged in rural Quebec in the 1950s, combining fries, fresh cheese curds, and brown gravy. Its exact creator is disputed, but it became a Canadian culinary icon.

Question 8

True or false: Cheese curds for poutine must be less than 24 hours old to make a proper 'squeak' when eaten.

Accepted Answer

True. Fresh curds squeak against your teeth due to elastic protein strands. After about 24 hours, they lose moisture and the squeak fades, making them less ideal for poutine.

Poutine Trivia Questions