Roux facts: Which statement is true?

• A. It thickens sauces only when raw
• B. It thickens sauces and can be white, blond, brown, or dark
• C. It is used only in desserts
• D. It never changes color

Answer: (B)

Roux is a cooked mixture of fat and flour used to thicken sauces. The color you get—white, blond, brown, or dark—depends on how long you cook it, with each stage bringing a different flavor. A lighter roux thickens sauces more strongly, while a darker roux adds deeper flavor but thickens less. This is why the statement that roux thickens sauces and can be white, blond, brown, or dark is the accurate one. It isn’t limited to desserts, and it does change color as it cooks.