Discovering the Culture and Traditions of

Swiss Cheese

Engelberg Abbey, La Gruyére, Appenzell & Emmental

There are around 700 different cheese specialities in Switzerland ranging from mild to tangy and from soft to hard. You can see the artisanal skills that are used in making the traditional recipes by visiting the cheese dairies spread across the country.

Some Engelberg Cheese Dairies – big and small

Engelberg Show Cheese Dairy

The Benedictine Monastery in Engelberg is 900 years old. Standing proudly at the edge of the town, it is an imposing building. The Käserei Engelberg (cheese dairy of Engelberg) can be found in this building. Cheese has been made in this region for almost as long as the monastery has been standing so it seems a fitting place to have a show dairy. This is also a good starting point of the Engelberg Alpine Cheese Trail.

A bit about the Monastery

The monastery has other interesting features such as the 9,097 pipes that make up Switzerland’s biggest organ. The hall in the Abbey hosts many classical concerts due to its excellent acoustics and Engelberg Abbey has various works of art by the abbey’s own monks. All this and a cheese dairy! Definitely worth a visit on a rainy day…

Engelberg Alpine Cheese Trail – (the small alpine cheese dairies are closed in winter)

Engelberg’s high altitude gives the fresh mountain and alpine milk from the local cows more flavour than the milk from the valley. One way to discover the small cheese dairies that produce the alpine dairy products is to do the Alpine Cheese Trail that runs for 43 km and passes 7 cheese dairies. This trail can obviously be done in sections or by using cable cars to make the ascent or descent easier.

Shortening the Cheese Trail

One way to shorten the walking time is to take the bus from outside the Monastery’s artisan show dairy to Fürenalp where the Engelberg Valley narrows. Then take the Fürenalp cable car up and walk to the Surenen Käserei (2.3 km walk).

Another option is to go by car to the Alpkäserei Stäfeli along from the Fürenalp cable car. There is parking outside this dairy. For more information on the 7 cheese dairies and the trail go to the Engelberg official tourism website’s cheese trail page.

Below is a map showing the complete trail (partly found in the alpine region, above the valley).

The 300 Year Old Alpine Cheese Dairy at Moléson – canton Fribourg

This large cheese-making cottage dates back to the 17th century can be found surrounded by pastures at the foot of the Moléson mountain (2,002 m). Here you can find le Gruyère AOP cheese being made the traditional way.

The process is explained in french and is limited to 50 people, however, you can reserve an interpreter for the demonstration. It is also possible to have an audiovisual presentation outside of the demonstration hours.

This cheese dairy also has a good-sized traditional restaurant that serves local food including Fondue & Alper Macaroni (a traditional dish, slightly similar to macaroni cheese but much better).

La Maison du Gruyère

I visited La Maison du Gruyère a few years ago with my mum. This was the first cheese dairy I had been to and Le Gruyère AOP cheese happens to be a favourite of ours. We both thought the exhibition was an entertaining introduction to the whole process of producing the cheese – from the cows to the plate. I think I still have the fondue recipe booklet bought in the shop somewhere in my kitchen…

This is a modern working dairy below the old town of Gruyères. It has an exhibition that shows the history of Le Gruyère AOP cheese. Cerise (Cherry) the cow has the job of explaining the history of cheese making in the area as well as giving away a few hints to do with the special recipe behind this famous cheese.

The tour lasts 30-45 mins promising sights, smells, touch, sounds and tastes surrounding the production of Le Gruyère AOP. This is a good introduction to the traditions of cheese making in the area. At the end of the tour, you will be craving this tasty cheese.

The making of le Gruyère AOP cheese has a long tradition. The recipe and processes have been handed down through generations of cheese-makers in the region of La Gruyère.

Appenzell Cheese – Traditions and Dairies

The rolling hills and alpine pastures of the Appenzell cantons are dotted with traditional farmhouses and cheese dairies. This region has been making cheese and dairy products the same way for hundreds of years.

The people pride themselves in the old traditions and celebrations that are part of their everyday farming lives.

Emmental Show Diary

This factory has a discovery exhibit that is quite fun – most of the attractions are aimed at young children but are still interesting for adults. The exhibition explains how milk is processed into cheese,(with an entertaining part to demonstrate how the cow produces milk). The last part includes some cheese tasting and an observation deck to watch the cheese making process. There is also a shop and large restaurant.

Other options are:

• Guided tour which includes The Kings Way (need to book)
• Farm tour visiting a typical Swiss Farm (need to book)
• Go for a hike, passing the Grand Tour Lookout for views of the Emmental countryside and architecture.

Other Details:

Open: The Kings Way Tour, shop and restaurant are open every day from 9 am – 5 pm

Address & Website:

Emmentaler Schaukäserei
Schaukäsereistrasse 6
3416 Affoltern im Emmental
Schweiz

emmentaler-schaukaeserei.ch/en