Swiss

Wine Pairings

Preparation, uses, and tips

These cheeses are traditionally served with fresh fruits such as apples, pears, and grapes, and are excellent with crusty breads, white wines, and fine ham and luncheon meats. Because Swiss cheese melts so gracefully, it is used in fondue, grilled sandwiches, au gratin potatoes, and casseroles.

Buying and storing tips

Hard cheeses can be stored for two to four weeks or longer, when refrigerated and well wrapped.

Varieties

Swiss cheeses include many variations that reflect differences in taste, sharpness, density (dryness), the size of the characteristic holes throughout the cheese, and the overall delicacy or robustness.

Table cheeses

These include the Appenzeller, Emmenthaler, and Gruyere made in Switzerland.

Hard mountain cheeses

Among these cheeses are Sbrinz, Spalen, and Saanen; their availability in the United States is limited.

Sapsago

This is a hard Swiss grating cheese.

Swiss Tilsit

This hard-to-find Swiss variety is a semisoft table cheese and the finest of the Tilsits. Even more rare cheeses from Switzerland are Raclette, Tête de Moine, and Vacherin Fribourgeois.

Nutrition Highlights

Swiss cheese, 1 slice (1 oz.) (28g)
Calories: 106
Protein: 8.0g
Carbohydrate: 0.96g
Total Fat: 7.8g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (272mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.

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The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires August 2007.