The Swiss cuisine is distinguished. Given the many regional differences it is difficult to speak of a homogenous Swiss cuisine.

The cuisine of Switzerland is often associated with cheese and chocolate. Although this is only true to a limited extent, advertising campaigns ensured that many Swiss people think of these as typical Swiss dishes.

Swiss cheese, in particular Emmental cheese, Gruyère, Vacherin, and Appenzeller, is a famous product of Switzerland. Cheese dishes, then, are often considered national dishes. The most popular ones of these cheese dishes are cheese Fondue and Raclette. Both these dishes were originally regional dishes, but were popularized by the Swiss Cheese Union to boost sales of cheese.

See also: List of Swiss cheeses

Rösti is a popular potato dish that is eaten all over Switzerland. It was originally a breakfast dish, but this has been replaced by the Muesli which is commonly eaten for breakfast and in Switzerland goes by the name of "Birchermuesli". For breakfast, but also for dinner, many Swiss enjoy fresh sliced bread with butter and jam. There is a wide variety of bread rolls available in Switzerland. Bread and cheese is a popular dish for dinner.

Although they do not fit the stereotype of Swiss food, tarts and quiches are traditional Swiss dishes. Tarts in particular are made with all sorts of toppings, from sweet apple tart to savoury onion tarts, there is almost no limit.

The chocolate drink Ovaltine originates in Switzerland and enjoys ongoing popularity, particularly with young people. Aside from being a beverage it is also used on top of a slice of buttered bread.

Regional Dishes

There are a great number of regional dishes in Switzerland.

One example is that of "Zürigschnätzlets", thin strips of veal with mushrooms in a cream sauce served with Rösti.

Drinks

Fresh apple juice is popular in many areas of Switzerland. It is also produced in the form of apple cider. Wine is produced in many regions of Switzerland, particularly the Valais, the Vaud, the Ticino and the canton of Zurich. Riesling is a common wine produced. Absinthe is brewed in the Jura region of Switzerland and has been legalized in 2004.

Modern cuisine

Italian cuisine is popular in contemporary Switzerland, particularly pasta and pizza.

See also

• Culture of Switzerland
• Nestlé have their headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland