La Maison du Gruyère
I don’t know why, but I was surprised to find out that many Americans in Switzerland struggle to find Swiss cheese in the shops here.
Apparently it’s because Swiss cheeses sold in the states are less likely to be known as Gruyère or Emmental, or any one of hundreds of other types of cheese that we are used to. And you will not see any cheese labelled simply “Swiss Cheese”.
Of the two main exports, Gruyère is the one without holes (Emmental being closer to the “Swiss cheese” generic variety you may be used to) and has a slightly salty taste, and is available in several aged varieties.
Now, given that clearly some education wouldn’t go amiss, how about a trip to a cheese dairy in the delightful after which the cheese is named?
La Maison is open from 9am to 6pm, or 7pm in summer, which indicates how popular it is. Because it’s very rare that anything stays open until 7pm!
For a measly 5 CHF, you get to understand how the cheese is made, and of course try the product (personally I’d try to get as much of the local cream as possible).
The cheese is now AOC rated ,which, if you know anything about French wine, will tell you something. If you don’t, why not visit the museum and find out?
Gruyère is about 30 mins away from Berne, allow two hours from Zurich.
La Maison du Gruyère
CH- 1663 Pringy-Gruyères
Tél. ++41 (0) 26 921 84 00
Photos scalleja
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