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Introduction
Swiss cheese is one of the most famous cheeses in the world, and for good reason. Its delicious nutty flavor, creamy texture, and distinctive holes make it a favorite among cheese lovers everywhere. But Swiss cheese is just one of the many delicious cheeses that Switzerland has to offer. In this guide, we will explore the world of Swiss cheese and other local cheeses, from the mild and creamy to the bold and pungent.
1. Swiss Cheese
Let's start with the most famous cheese in Switzerland: Swiss cheese. Also known as Emmental cheese, this cheese is made from cow's milk and has a distinctive flavor and texture. It is usually mild, nutty, and slightly sweet, with large holes or "eyes" throughout the cheese.
Swiss cheese is typically aged for three to four months, but some varieties can be aged for up to a year or more. The longer the cheese is aged, the more pronounced its flavor becomes. Swiss cheese is delicious on its own, but it is also great for melting in sandwiches or grated on top of pasta dishes.
Price: CHF 20-30 per kilogram
2. Gruyere Cheese
Gruyere cheese is another famous Swiss cheese that is made from cow's milk. This cheese is named after the town of Gruyères in the canton of Fribourg, where it has been produced for centuries. Gruyere cheese has a nutty, earthy flavor and a creamy texture that makes it perfect for melting.
Gruyere cheese is typically aged for six months to a year, but some varieties can be aged for up to two years. The longer the cheese is aged, the more complex its flavor becomes. Gruyere cheese is great for melting in fondue or grated on top of a gratin dish.
Price: CHF 25-35 per kilogram
3. Appenzeller Cheese
Appenzeller cheese is a semi-hard cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a strong, pungent flavor that is often described as spicy or herbal. This cheese is typically aged for three to six months, but some varieties can be aged for up to a year.
Appenzeller cheese is often served as a table cheese, but it is also great for melting in sandwiches or grated on top of pasta dishes. It is also a popular ingredient in traditional Swiss dishes like rösti and fondue.
Price: CHF 30-40 per kilogram
4.Tête de Moine Cheese
Tête de Moine cheese is a unique cheese that is made from cow's milk. This cheese is named after the town of Bellelay in the canton of Bern, where it has been produced for centuries. Tête de Moine cheese has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a creamy texture that makes it perfect for melting.
This cheese is typically served shaved or curled using a special tool called a girolle. The girolle shaves the cheese into delicate, paper-thin curls that melt in your mouth. Tête de Moine cheese is great for serving as an appetizer or as part of a cheese board.
Price: CHF 50-60 per kilogram
5. Raclette Cheese
Raclette cheese is a semi-hard cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a mild, nutty flavor and a creamy texture that makes it perfect for melting. Raclette cheese is typically melted and served over boiled potatoes, along with pickles, onions, and other condiments.
Raclette cheese is often served as a communal meal, with everyone gathered around a large heated grill or fireplace. The cheese is melted and scraped onto individual plates, along with the condiments.
6. Vacherin Cheese
Vacherin cheese is a soft cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a rich, creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavor. Vacherin cheese is typically aged for six to eight weeks, but some varieties can be aged for up to four months.
This cheese is often served as a table cheese, but it is also great for melting in fondue or baked dishes. Vacherin cheese is a popular ingredient in traditional Swiss dishes like potato gratin and quiches.
Price: CHF 25-30 per kilogram
7. Sbrinz Cheese
Sbrinz cheese is a hard cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a firm texture. Sbrinz cheese is typically aged for two to three years, but some varieties can be aged for up to six years.
This cheese is often grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, and soups. Sbrinz cheese is also great for serving as a table cheese or as part of a cheese board.
Price: CHF 50-60 per kilogram
8.Tomme Cheese
Tomme cheese is a semi-soft cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. Tomme cheese is typically aged for three to six months, but some varieties can be aged for up to a year.
This cheese is often served as a table cheese, but it is also great for melting in sandwiches or grated on top of pasta dishes. Tomme cheese is a popular ingredient in traditional Swiss dishes like tarts and quiches.
Price: CHF 20-25 per kilogram
9. L'Etivaz Cheese
L'Etivaz cheese is a hard cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a firm, crumbly texture. L'Etivaz cheese is typically aged for 10 to 12 months, but some varieties can be aged for up to three years.
This cheese is often grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, and soups. L'Etivaz cheese is also great for serving as a table cheese or as part of a cheese board.
Price: CHF 40-50 per kilogram
10. Le Gruyere Reserve Cheese
Le Gruyere Reserve cheese is a hard cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a firm, crumbly texture. Le Gruyere Reserve cheese is aged for at least 14 months, which gives it a more complex and pronounced flavor than regular Gruyere cheese.
This cheese is often grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, and soups. Le Gruyere Reserve cheese is also great for serving as a table cheese or as part of a cheese board.
Price: CHF 60-70 per kilogram
11. Schabziger Cheese
Schabziger cheese, also known as green cheese, is a unique cheese that is made from cow's milk and flavored with blue fenugreek. It has a sharp, tangy flavor and a crumbly texture. Schabziger cheese is often used as a seasoning for pasta dishes or as a spread for bread.
Price: CHF 10-15 per kilogram
12. Belper Knolle Cheese
Belper Knolle cheese is a unique cheese that is made from cow's milk and flavored with garlic and black pepper. It has a spicy, pungent flavor and a firm, crumbly texture. Belper Knolle cheese is often grated and used as a seasoning for pasta dishes, soups, and salads. It can also be served as a table cheese or as part of a cheese board.
Belper Knolle cheese is a relatively new cheese that was created in the early 2000s by a Swiss cheesemaker named Willi Schmid. It has quickly become a popular cheese in Switzerland and is gaining popularity in other parts of the world as well.
Price: CHF 40-50 per kilogram
13. Tilsiter Cheese
Tilsiter cheese is a semi-hard cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a mild, slightly nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. Tilsiter cheese is often aged for two to three months, but some varieties can be aged for up to six months.
This cheese is often served as a table cheese or used in sandwiches. It can also be grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes or salads.
Price: CHF 15-20 per kilogram
Conclusion
Switzerland is a cheese lover's paradise, with a wide variety of delicious cheeses to try. Whether you prefer soft or hard cheeses, mild or strong flavors, there is a cheese in Switzerland that will satisfy your taste buds.
Next time you visit Switzerland, be sure to try some of these local cheeses and discover the unique flavors and textures that make Swiss cheese so special. From the tangy Appenzeller to the spicy Belper Knolle, there is a cheese for every palate.
And don't forget to pair your cheese with a glass of Swiss wine or a cold beer for the ultimate culinary experience. Bon appétit!
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