Sbrinz
Encyclopedia
Sbrinz is a very hard cheese produced in central Switzerland
. It is often used instead of Parmesan cheese in Swiss cuisine
.
The cheese is produced in only 42 dairies in central Switzerland. Only local cow's milk is used when producing this cheese. It is kept in the region until ready for consumption.
Contrary to popular belief, the name Sbrinz does not originally refer to a particular place or region. Nevertheless, the Swiss Cheese Union
added to this myth by launching an advertising campaign in the 1990s. As a result of this campaign, there is now an area called Sbrinz.
in the Canton of Berne
. In the 16th and 17th centuries Brienz was a transportation hub for cheeses from the Bernese Oberland
and Central Switzerland
, from which they would be transported over the Alps. The Italian purchasers called the Swiss cheeses Sbrinz after the origin of the pack trains, and the name spread into Switzerland. A second origin for the name comes from the Lombard
word sbrinzo which means any hard cheese.
Since 2001, Sbrinz has been listed as a "controlled term of origin" (AOC
) under the Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft (Federal Office for Agriculture). The AOC provides specifications for the origin of the milk and the processes that must be followed in order for the cheese to labeled as Sbrinz.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. It is often used instead of Parmesan cheese in Swiss cuisine
Swiss cuisine
Swiss cuisine bears witness to many regional influences, including from Italian, French, and German cuisine, and also features many dishes specific to Switzerland...
.
The cheese is produced in only 42 dairies in central Switzerland. Only local cow's milk is used when producing this cheese. It is kept in the region until ready for consumption.
Contrary to popular belief, the name Sbrinz does not originally refer to a particular place or region. Nevertheless, the Swiss Cheese Union
Swiss Cheese Union
The Swiss Cheese Union was a cartel in Switzerland engaged in the promotion of cheese and cheese products from Switzerland....
added to this myth by launching an advertising campaign in the 1990s. As a result of this campaign, there is now an area called Sbrinz.
Character
Sbrinz is an extra hard full fat cheese. It contains approximately 40% to 45% of fat when dry. The cheese must ripen for 16 months before it can be sold as Sbrinz, and the full flavour only develops after about 24–30 months in storage.History
Sbrinz is claimed to be the oldest European cheese. The celtic ancestors of the Swiss were making cheese centuries before the recorded birth of Christ; this cheese may have been an ancestor to modern Sbrinz. The official web site claims that the cheese was first mentioned in 70 AD, but does not give any details. Other sources claim that the cheese is mentioned in contracts dated around 1200. It seems certain, however, that it is mentioned in documents dating from 1530, which are kept in the state archive in Bern.Origin of the name
While there is no village or region that was known as Sbrinz, there are two possible origins of the name. The name may come from the village of BrienzBrienz
Brienz is a municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.The village lies on the north bank of Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland at the foot of the Brienzer Rothorn mountain.-History:...
in the Canton of Berne
Canton of Berne
The Canton of Bern is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud. To the south...
. In the 16th and 17th centuries Brienz was a transportation hub for cheeses from the Bernese Oberland
Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland is the higher part of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, in the southern end of the canton: The area around Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and the valleys of the Bernese Alps .The flag of the Bernese Oberland consists of a black eagle in a gold field The Bernese Oberland (Bernese...
and Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland is the region of the Alpine foothills geographically the heart and historically the origin of Switzerland, with the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Lucerne and Zug....
, from which they would be transported over the Alps. The Italian purchasers called the Swiss cheeses Sbrinz after the origin of the pack trains, and the name spread into Switzerland. A second origin for the name comes from the Lombard
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
word sbrinzo which means any hard cheese.
Since 2001, Sbrinz has been listed as a "controlled term of origin" (AOC
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
) under the Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft (Federal Office for Agriculture). The AOC provides specifications for the origin of the milk and the processes that must be followed in order for the cheese to labeled as Sbrinz.
Consumption
Sbrinz is commonly consumed in one of the following ways: It can be used grated, such as on pasta. It can be eaten in small pieces, often to accompany wine. It is also eaten in thin slices planed from the hard cheese. Finally, Sbrinz is often simply enjoyed with bread and butter.External links
- Official page – in German, French, Italian and English.