Must try food in Switzerland

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Must try food in Switzerland

Brushed by mountains over its landscape, Switzerland stands as the landlocked nation located at the west side of central Europe. The nation has  been more famous for its delectable confectionery than just with picturesque views from the sites. Just one bite and you could feel the symphony of flavours stringing to your tongue in the melody serving your taste through the medium of Swiss cuisine. Dropped below is a comprehensive guide to the chosen dishes you must add to your list if you visit Switzerland, categorised by their region and types.

Breads and Pastries

Zopf

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This Swiss bread looks like a breaded hair which has earned it its English name ‘Swiss braided bread’ made with white flour, yeast,eggs and butter. The bread is among the local specialities of Switzerland.

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Cheese

1. Fondue

1. Description

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Made through the blend of various flavours of cheeses, white wine and cornstarch, Fondue is enjoyed in the Switzerland with vegetables and bread soaked inside through a stem fork. Though it would be advised you avoid chatting to your friend right after enjoying that since no one would want the stench of garlic brush down their nose !

2. Origins
Initially, it originated from the French regions of Switzerland and was popularised by the Swiss Cheese Union in the 1930s. You can find the most delish Fondue of the nation in Zurich which also serves as the heaven for Fondue. 

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Chocolates

Swiss chocolates 

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Earning an international reputation, the Swiss chocolates are made exquisitely with not just cocoa but a mix of hazelnuts and raisins. Back in 1875, Daniel Peter created the first milk chocolate made with condensed milk inspired by his neighbour Henri Nestlé who earns the position for the inventor of milk chocolates and founder of ,as his name suggests, Nestlé. 

Origins

In 1901, Swiss chocolate producers created the Union libre des fabricants suisses de chocolat. In 1916, this was divided into the Chambre syndicale des fabricants suisses de chocolat and the Convention chocolatière suisse.

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Desserts

Birchermüesli

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This is so type of Swiss oatmeal made with a blend of wholesome ingredients of rolled oats, fresh apples, nuts and seeds mixed in milk to suit your delight. Its renown for how easy it is, thus earning it the name of Overnight Oats as it doesn’t need cooking and frying and could be made readily for a quick breakfast or dinner. 

Origins

The dish has been around since 1900, thanks to the nutritionist Maximilian Bircher Burner who wanted his patients to add fruits in their diet and also enjoy eating them. This was served in as an easily digestible dinner in Lebendige Kraft (living strength) at the hills above the lake in Zurich. 

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Basler Lackerli

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The next on the list is a rectangular traditional hard spice biscuit made with honey and hazelnut to soothe your tastebuds. The surface of the biscuit is sprinkled with sugar glaze for further sweetening.

Origin

It first originated in Basel in Switzerland and literally means little delicious things from Basel since it’s the place of origin. It was offered to the men of church as they believed they didn’t deserve the cakes offered to them.

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Meat dishes

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

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Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is another Swiss dish you should add in your must try dishes in Switzerland. The dish traditionally consists of tender pieces of veal cut into strips, seared and served in a creamy white wine cream sauce – a delight for meat gourmets!.  

Origins

The first mention of Zürcher Geschnetzeltes is in a cookbook from 1947. That recipe describes the ingredients as sliced veal strips, white wine, cream, and demiglace. The dish originated in Zurich.

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Bündnerfleisch

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Also known literally as Grisons Meat or Viande des Grisons, is a true speciality air-dried meat that is produced in the canton of Graubünden  in Switzerland. You can enjoy the peak taste of the food along with wine and bread.

Origins

It first originated in Graubünden of Switzerland which has served as home for dried meat since the 18th century.

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Drinks

Rivella

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Rivella is a soft sports drink from Switzerland,also serves as an alternative for alcohol and can be enjoyed among the kids along with adults, is produced from milk whey, and therefore includes ingredients such as lactose, lactic acid and minerals.

Origins

 It was created by Robert Barth in 1952 in Switzerland.

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Swiss Wine

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Switzerland is also known for its wines and its diversity as it is considered among the delectable drinks by the suitors. Swiss vineyards cover 14,696 hectares, with more than 2,500 winemakers in six regions for origination of Swiss wine.

Origins

The history of Swiss wine can be traced back to the Roman Empire. As early as the 2nd century AD, Roman settlers brought viticulture to their Swiss territories, planting grape vines along the shores of Lake Geneva and other fertile regions.

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Tips for travellers

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  • Experience the delectable seasonal fare of Switzerland, such as Älplermagronen, which may sound difficult to pronounce but is undoubtedly the most wonderful snack with potatoes and pasta, or Rosti, which is just cooked potatoes and is also the Swiss version of scrambled potatoes.
  • One more of Switzerland’s seasonal specialties is Malakoff, a fried cheese ball that bursts into your tongue with a myriad of flavorful flavours.
  • Several well-known flea markets in Switzerland, including Luzerner Wochenmarkt, Rosenhof-Markt, Christmas Market, Marché Renens, and Comunita Emmaus Ticino, offer delicious snacks.
  • For the greatest culinary experiences in Switzerland, be sure to visit Zurich and sample the chocolates, bern, fondue, and Swiss cheeses.
  • The Basel Beer Festival is one of the biggest and most well-known beer festivals in the world, and The St. Gallen Chocolate Festival is a must-visit for all chocolate lovers! You can sample food from some of the amazing food festivals in the land of Switzerland, The Bern Food Festival, which is a smaller but no less delicious food festival that takes place in the city of Bern; and The Zurich Street Food Festival, which takes place every summer and features over 60 food trucks! November is the event, and more than 100 exhibitors are present. 

Conclusion

Try the inventive dishes made by Switzerland’s modern chefs, who fuse regional ingredients with foreign flavours to create mouthwatering works of art, for a taste of Swiss tradition with a contemporary twist. Whether you’re dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant with a view of Lake Geneva or touring Bern’s bustling food markets, Switzerland has a wide variety of must-try dishes that honour the nation’s inventive spirit and rich culinary legacy. So, get your appetite up and be ready to explore Switzerland’s flavours through food.