The second sort of cooked meringue (“Swiss”) is most clearly described as a cooked meringue plain and simple (the French meringue cuite). To make it, eggs, acid, and sugar are heated in a hot-water bath and beaten until a stiff foam forms. The bowl is then removed from the heat and the foam beaten until it cools. This preparation can pasteurize the egg whites. Thanks to the protective effects of sugar, cream of tartar, and constant agitation, you can heat the meringue mixture to 170 or 175ºF/75–78ºC and still end up with a stable though dense foam. The cooked meringue can be refrigerated for several days, and is usually piped into decorative shapes.