Story and photos by Ron Stern

Located in the Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland, the Medieval town of Gruyères is only a short train ride from Zurich and is the home to some tasty and long-standing traditions.

As you probably know cheese is something that Swiss have pefected for centuries. The House of Gruyère demonstration cheese dairy is the place to see how these master crafstman have been making Gruyère AOC since 1115 AD. The designation AOC is an official mark of quality only awarded to certain products that are native to a particular region. And in this case, the designation is well deserved. The tour involves all the senses and at one station you can smell the flowers (such as orchids) that are fed to the cows to produce just the right kind of milk that then matures to become creamy AOC cheese.

Of course, what would Switzerland be without Fondue and using various recipies that include Gruyere Cheese, you can enjoy lunch right on site while dipping bits of bread and vegetables in this hot and savory, melted cheese delight.

For dessert, you simply have to give way to local custom and try some Gruyère double cream with meringues and fruit. Now let me say that this isn’t your typical cream but a specialty of the region made from the finest Alpine milk that is so rich, thick and creamy that no light can escape from its depths! They serve this in wooden or chocolate cups (I prefer the latter) and then this can be blended into coffee of poured over the aforementioned meringues and fruit. The result is a full sensory immersion into the flavors of Gruyères and one which will linger on your palatte for months to come.

Resources:

www.myswitzerland.com

www.lamaisondugruyere.ch

www.la-gruyere.ch

Ron can be reached at: travelwriter0@comcast.net.

Stack of cookies in Sprungli shop.

“I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process. It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?” – Author unknown.

Hot chocolate with a tray of truffels in the background. Photo by Ron Stern.

If you love chocolate as much as I do then Zurich, Switzerland is a must on your list of places to visit. The Swiss pioneered the development of milk chocolate using pure Alpine milk, a vast improvement over the bitter dark chocolate that permeated the world then.

Conching, developed in Switzerland in the late 1800s, is the constant swirling or stirring of the chocolate, making it even better. It introduced a creamy melt-in-your-mouth product that had so far eluded chocolate makers. This was one of the biggest improvements to a creation that can make any day seem better. Many (including me) consider Swiss chocolate to be the finest in the world. Zurich chocolatiers deserve a lot of attention – and praise.

Confiserie Sprüngli, located in the busy Bahnhofstrasse shopping area, is always packed with customers enjoying some of its smooth, chocolaty sensations. Whenever visiting I always make a beeline for this little bit of cocoa bean heaven. One side of the shop is a café where you can leisurely enjoy coffee or hot chocolate, along with some chocolate delicacies. The other side looks like something from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Colorfully lit displays feature all manner of homemade dark and light delicacies, including Truffes du Jour. These round little pieces of heaven are just the fix that every chocolate addict needs. Made from cow’s milk – that is taken from the farm that day – the truffles are then made by hand and are meant to be savored in the same 24-hour period. Mouth-wateringly delicious, it’s hard to eat just one … or two.

Hot chocolate at Cafe Schober.

Now if all this isn’t enough to give you a chocolate sugar high, head over to Café Conditorei Schober on Napfgasse Street. This boutique coffee house serves breakfast and lunch and has a wonderful selection of cakes and pastries. I go there for a cup of some of the best hot chocolate in the country. Served with a generous portion of freshly made cream, the combination is all you need to experience Nirvana.

Resources:

www.myswitzerland.com

www.spruengli.ch

www.cafe-conditorei-schober.ch

Ron can be reached at: Travelwriter01@comcast.net.