What does “gourmand” mean in French?

In English, “gourmand” suggests a greedy person who eats too much. In French the word is usually warmer. A gourmand person loves good food — sometimes said in a kind way, sometimes as a small criticism, depending on how it is used. And when French speakers call a dish gourmande, they mean it is rich, sweet, and a real treat. It is a happy, positive word. So next time you taste something wonderful, you can say: “C’est gourmand!”

In this clip, the cook is making a homemade Kinder Bueno spread. She says it is “tellement gourmande et tellement facile à faire” (“so indulgent and so easy to make”). Later she tastes the second version and says “c’est gourmand,” meaning it is rich and full of pleasure. Be careful: this word looks the same in English and French, but it means something different. The English “gourmand” often means a person who eats too much. The French word is more positive. Also, do not mix it with “gourmet,” which describes a person who knows a lot about good food. Using “gourmand” as an adjective for food (un dessert gourmand, une recette gourmande) is very common in everyday French and in cooking shows, even if some people use it only for a person, not for food. The related noun is “la gourmandise” — the love of good food, or a small sweet treat: “Tu veux une petite gourmandise?” (“Want a little treat?”)