MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Traditional Swiss dairy in Bernese Oberland?
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we will be traveling into the Bern Oberland region…..I would like to find a small authentic Swiss dairy making cheese with a copper kettle and wood fire, not the automatic systems or tourist attractions, just the old style. Any locations?
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I’m not sure they still do it anywhere on woodfire, unless, precisely, as a tourist attraction. Maybe the Piora cheese, but that would be at Lake Ritom in Ticino.
At Alp Gental, there is a copper kettle, but the energy is electric (mind you, there is more electric energy in Haslital than firewood…)
I only know of one place…not that I know them all ;-)…- the Schaukäserei in Affoltern i. E.
emmentaler-schaukaeserei.ch/en/
They may still do it at the Alpages to make Bergkäse; all you need to do is hike up there, if you can find one.
Maybe this link will give you some clues:
http://www.myswitzerland.com/ en-us/buendner-bergkaese.html
Slowpoke
Attachments:Check out Ballenberg Open Air Museum and see if they do it there.
Maggie
Just checked out Ballenberg for you and they do demonstrations between 11 and 1 every day except Monday using the traditional methods. See below.
The cheese dairy in Ballenberg functions on an almost daily basis. In House 1361, the Alpine Cheese Dairy from Kandersteg BE, visitors can not only look at the various bits of apparatus needed for cheesemaking but also follow the process itself as it happens. When the cheesemakers set to work the great copper cauldron begins to steam and bubble. Cheesemaking requires muscle power, know-how and patience. Those wishing to try out the result for themselves can buy fresh Ziger or a Ballenberg Mutschli. The cheesemakers at Ballenberg use old-fashioned methods, still partially in use today with the simplest means on swiss alpine pastures.
You can reach Ballenberg by bus from Brienz railway station. Use sbb timetable and enter Ballenberg as your destination. There are loads of other things to explore in the museum and it is an excellent destination for a day when mountain tops are obscured in cloud.
Maggie
Hi Maggie –
Nice work. I guess I should spend more time in the erea. 😉
Slowpoke
Hi @Rodrufener,
I have just seen two places like the ones you are looking for. Not in Berner Oberland, but in central Switzerland, “near” Engelberg. I’m writing this to put the thread on top of the list, and I’ll post the details in a few hours hopefully. Busy unpacking my gear after a one week hike!
On Alp Denalp above Melchtal, in Canton Obwalden, there is a traditional “Käserei” which can be visited. Apparently you can stay there overnight. 3 hrs hiking from Melchtal (easy), or maybe 5 hours from Engelberg: http://www.outdooractive.com/ mobile/de/bewirtschaft ete-huette/urner-alpen/alpkaeserei-denalp-storeggpass/23428133/
Another hint (Blackenalp) later.
I was at Blackenalp yesterday.
http://www.outdooractive.com/ de/bewirtschaftete-alm/urner-alpen/alpbeizli-blackenalp/19722303/
You reach the place in about 4hrs hike from Engelberg, that can be shortened by using the Fürenalp cableway. You can stay there for the night (CHF 40.00 half-pension).
They make cheese in a copper cauldron, using cooking gas as energy. They have 10 cows (in addition to the 600 heifers of the pasture). They make cheese every other day or so (not on the day I was there). On cheesing days, you can obviously see what’s going on, as they do it in the kitchen next door to the dining room. I ate cheese, for the preparation of which the milk had travelled about 30 meters. Beat that!
40chf with half pension? I’m in!
<40chf with half pension? >
Very nice Massenlager, flush toilet, hot water in the sink, no shower. Dinner: Aelpler Maggronen. Breakfast: bread and butter, jam, and, of course, cheese.
Keep you full for the day’s hike for sure 🙂
Hello, we have visited a fifth generation family owned and run cheese making farm and stayed at their bnb in the Gruyeres area. It was a very special experience for us. You can read about the family on the following link.
The secret of le Gruyère d’Alpage AOP
http://www.myswitzerland.com › en-ch
Mageo
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