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A genuine place to say “Cheese”
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A genuine place to say “Cheese”
Destination:
Switzerland, Appenzell
Date:
26.06.2020
Love at First Bite - Epicurean Tales
Journeys for Culture Lovers
And this place is no other than the Appenzeller Show-Dairy, or as I call it, the Appenzeller Cheese Museum, in Canton Appenzell, Switzerland.
The Appenzeller Show- Dairy
And this place is no other than the Appenzeller Show-Dairy, or as I call it, the Appenzeller Cheese Museum in Canton Appenzell, Switzerland. I am a big cheese fan and Appenzeller cheese is one of the varieties I am loving the most while in Zurich. From the branding alone, you just know that there is a special history and tradition behind it, so I felt compelled to visit Appenzell town and explore Appenzeller cheese museum. In a country well known for its cheese game, Appenzeller is considered one of the finest in the land , mainly because of its hidden recipes.
An experiential museum
The Appenzeller Cheese Museum is a very experiential one – and also happens to be very kid-friendly. Children can play in the outdoor playground, and discover hidden treasures during their visit. On entering the museum, you will receive an I-Pad. Everything is in German but with this device, you can access all the site information in English. As well, you are given a key, which helps you discover various “stories”, a tester box with different types of cheese (you will be asked to try them during your visit), and a small pouch.
The Appenzeller Cheese story
From the very beginning of your visit, you feel the interactive character of this museum and the enormous importance of cheese production for the whole region. Appenzeller cheese was first mentioned in historic documents dating back to 1282. Nowadays, there are several kinds of Appenzeller cheese, with different flavours and herb blends, and it is exported to over 20 countries. Over the centuries, the proud Appenzeller farmers cultivated their land with considerable effort and took tender, loving care of their cows. During summer time, the cows were fed with juicy grass and herbs thanks to the varied flora of the broader area and verdant mountains of Appenzellerland.
Τhe exhibition
In the exhibition you will find a very interesting photo book, that feels like traveling back in time: showcasing photos of the valleys, the Appenzellers in their vivid local costumes, the cows, the mountains, the houses. You will also discover portraits of Angela, the oldest cow in the farm, Olivia, Bella, Omira the dog and other star animals of the farm.
The cows’ life
You will learn about the daily routines of these special cows, how they get their names after birth (they are all branded with a number on their ears), and how they communicate among themselves. Did you know that lowering the head is a menacing gesture for a cow? I also found out all about cows “friendships and relations"; the importance of cowbells.
The cultural life of Appenzell
The cultural life of Appenzell; the fascinating heritage of the alpine dairy farmers, including their distinctive dialect, their ritual procession to the Alps, and their traditional costumes (prized as among the best in Switzerland). All in all, there were so many interesting stories that I could never have dreamed played such an important role in me being able to indulge in this super tasty cheese. Stories, which for people like me living in a city, are totally unknown. By learning about them, you’ll be able to appreciate a completely different way of life (as well as appreciating your next bite of Appenzeller cheese that little bit more!). Another colourful local story concerns the New Year’s Eve winter festival: Appenzellers frock up in some of their most impressive costumes and walk from farm to farm to offer warm wishes for the year ahead.
Appenzell Cheese tastings
During your visit to the Museum, from time to time, you will be asked to taste a small piece of cheese and learn the history behind it. Of course, you will discover the different types of cheese, the period of their maturity, their distinctive flavours, rind etc. You will also have the rare chance to see a very interesting video about the daily life of Appenzellers. Almost at the end of the exhibition, you will find the cheese cellar, where up to 12,500 wheels of cheese are stored on the spruce boards.
Make your own Appenzell herb souvenir
The Herbs section is in the last part of the museum (and among the most interactive of all). There, you can create your own mix of herbs from ginger root, lemon balm, lovage, marjoram, orange thyme, mandarin orange, pineapple mint and other aromatic alpine herbs and take them back home as a sensory memory of your Swiss holiday. As experts in the museum say “For 700 years the strictly kept secret of the herbal brine has given Appenzeller cheese its unique taste”. Last stop, as it is the case in all museums, is the shopping area, where you can sample more kinds of cheese and of course, pick up some local treats to sneak into your suitcase. If you love cheese, authenticity and nature, Appenzeller cheese museum is a highly recommended experience.
If this is not THE most appropriate place to say “cheese”, then I’m not sure where is!
