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Backpacking, what a great experience. Especially if you want to learn more about a country's gastronomy!

I went on my first backpacking trip when I was ten. We were on vacation in Switzerland. My dad was always quite an outdoorsman, and I had come along on fishing trips many times already, waking before down to drive out to the lake and catch the fish feeding on morning stillness under a soft blanket of mist, but this was to be something altogether different. You see, on those trips, although the morning lake sometimes provided moments of the illusion of solitude, the noise from the road, shattered it every few minutes. And later in the day, the motor boats destroyed it completely.

My First Night As An "Outdoorsboy"

outdoors3Backpacking was something else completely. We drove all the way from our vacation home in Biel/Bienne, up into the woods of the Berner Oberland. We stayed overnight in a rustic chalet and got an early start. At first, it was just like the lake – even more so, because it was early, and there was already a crowd milling about. This was only because we had chosen a popular spot to begin our journey. Before dusk, we were bathed in a stillness more profound than any I had seen on that lake, a stillness which would last for the rest of our backpacking trip.

How can I describe that first night, camping on a rise above that giant, mist-covered lake of Thun? The loons called and called, lonely and longing, beginning below us and trailing off among the interlocking lakes branching into eternity. Night creatures scurried around about us, going from stillness to frantic motion to stillness again, as all night, the wind fell and rose and fell, and the moon ceaselessly rippled on the water's bright skin. I can remember all of it – every sound, and wished to stay awake for the duration of the night, yet somehow, sleep overtook me quickly in the exhaustion of a full day's hike, and I awoke fully refreshed.

What A Multitude Of Aromas, When Cooking Outdoors

outdoors2And then there was the next morning, awakening to the water lapping softly below us, and the smell of a cooking fire. It's a curious thing about cooking outdoors; the multitude of aromas – the burning wood, the pine trees, the wind from the lake – every thing adds its flavor. I remember being quite sure that the eggs which my dad cooked that morning were the best thing that I had ever tasted.

Our backpacking trip was over far too quickly. Nine days and it was over – such a paltry duration when confronted with the infinite expanse of nature. I remember on the last day, my dad showed me on a map where we had been – that little speck, the lake we first camped beside, that tiny snake, the ridge that had seemed to mighty as we climbed it, the ridge that skinned my knees twice and left my legs throbbing.

It was tiny, a little patch of knowledge drowning in a massive sea of green. I didn't know whether to despair or laugh, seeing how much there was to explore – so much that in a dozen life times, I would never see it all. Finally I chose laughter, and though I still have seen but a speck of the whole spectacular natural world, and will never see it all, I have returned many times to try, even travelling nearly 3 years around the world.

There is one thing about Switzerland that I will always remember... their exquisite gastronomy!

Swiss Gastronomy And Wines Tour

gastro1Many years ago, when I last visited Switzerland, there was a tour called the Swiss Gastronomy and wine tour. As far as I'm concerned, you can not afford to miss out on it, should you ever visit Switzerland. If you decide to join one of the many tours offered in Switzerland, take my advice. Make it the Switzerland Tour for Gastronomy and Wine. This Tour basically encircles all of Switzerland, right up to the borders with France, Italy, Austria, and Germany. Many parts of it can be done hiking/walking. Make sure to bring good walking shoes for the walking bits. More often than not, a pair of lightweights will suffice.

This particular tour, that can be done by train, by car, or by bus tour, will start in Biel/Bienne (b.t.w. City of Watch Making "par excellence") in Northwest Switzerland; head south along the Watch Valley and Lake Geneva Region. Then you’ll head south to Geneva before heading east toward Ticino. From Ticino, you’ll travel north through Graubuenden and then to Liechtenstein. From there you’ll travel north to Schaffhausen.

gastro2The beauty of this tour is that by travelling near the border of Switzerland, you’ll really get the best appreciation for the diverse culture that abounds. Switzerland’s inhabitants have three main cultures; each one reflected in the border that Switzerland shares with its neighbours. Along the French side of Switzerland’s eastern border, almost 20% of the Swiss population speak French, where you’ll enjoy local cuisine and wine in true French style.

Along the southern border of Switzerland, close to 9% of the population speak Italian. There you will enjoy typical northern Italian flare and sample Italian wines. Along the north east border of Switzerland, where Switzerland ends and Germany begins, you’ll be able to "enjoy" German tradition and more good wine. Almost 65% of the Swiss population speak some kind of German dialect. You will sample exceptional French cuisine and wines along your tour. A traditional dish in Genava is the Filets de perche, the Longeole; raw sausage that is not completely matured, wild fennel, garlic, nutmeg and white wine flavoured pork. You might also enjoy Cardons; a stalky vegetable that tastes a bit like artichoke. Chasselas and Gamay wines are the varieties that are most comment in the region.

gastro3Traditional Italian cuisine and wine can also be sampled during your tour through Switzerland. You might think that you already know all about Italian cuisine but this tour might surprise you. Most of what you eat in the states is most likely more inspired by Southern Italian cuisine. Here, you’ll discover Coniglio (rabbit) and cicitt (goat sausages) served with outstanding red wines. You’ll certainly want to buy a case of classic Merlot del Ticino to bring back home with you.

Not to be missed; the German cuisine and wines along your tour, the regional classics; Pizokel (a form of Spatzli – like pasta) and the Beinwurst (a pork ragout). Among the choices of wines can be found; Blauburgunder (a Pinot noir), one of many Chardonnays, and Riesling (not to be missed). At the time that I last did this tour (many years ago), you could order or download a 72 page book published by the Swiss Tourism bureau which includes more information about this particular tour. It provides you with detailed information on restaurants, wine tasting events, and local products that might be of interest. It also gives you detailed information on a number of hotel choices.

Swiss Chocolate - A Melting Temptation

choc1Swiss chocolate is generally well-known and most appreciated, worldwide. The average Swiss person eats 11 kg of chocolate every year.

Personally, I really love our chocolate but I can also understand that other countries also love the chocolate that they produce.

During any hike or walk, we always take a slab of chocolate with us. It’s an important element in the basic hiking kit. After a long physical effort or an unforeseen rainstorm, there’s nothing better than a slab of Swiss chocolate to put everyone back in a good mood.

During the obligatory Swiss military training, each soldier is given chocolate.

It is quite strange, given the fact that Switzerland is a country with magnificent mountains and beautiful deep blue lakes, that there is not any sort of tropical fruit growing in our country.

According to the writings found, chocolate is mentioned for the first time around the year 600 After Christ, when the Mayas immigrated to the Northern part of South America and started cultivating cocoa plants.

choc2In the 17th century, chocolate was considered as a fortifying drink and consumed in this manner. Later, the French started using it as a dessert. It was only in the 18th century that certain countries started producing chocolate in slab form. The first chocolate slabs were not at all sweet. They were not eaten the way we do nowadays and this was to conserve them better during their transport and exportation.

This was known as chocolate for desserts. Maybe, when you were a child, you too "stole" a piece of chocolate while your mother was preparing a dessert and found yourself most disappointed when tasting it, finding it quite bitter. This is where the pioneers of chocolate production enter the picture.

Among these pioneers, I will mention a few that helped Swiss chocolate to be recognised worldwide.

François-Louis Cailler

choc3This pioneer, studied the production of chocolate for consumption, in Italy and when he came back to Switzerland, he established his own chocolate company in Corsier. He worked from this establishment for twenty years before starting a second company in Vevey, close to Lake Leman. Later, he sold his factories to Mr. Daniel Peter who is the inventor and creator of Swiss milk chocolate. Did you know that Nestlé contracted the famous french architect Jean Nouvel to design a new packing for the Cailler line?

Daniel Peter

Mr. Peter is known as the inventor of Swiss milk chocolate. It took him more than 8 years to develop his product and to be able to assume the production of milk chocolate in the form of slabs, fit to be sold for public consumption. In the beginning, he produced the slabs with a base of sweetened condensed milk and this is how his commercial relationship with Mr. Henri Nestlé, started.

Henri Nestlé

Henri Nestlé began in this then, small industry in the beginning, by providing sweetened condensed milk to Daniel Peter who at the time produced milk chocolate with cocoa and condensed milk. In 1879 it was impossible to envisage that their collaboration was going to encounter such success and result in the worldwide known company, Nestlé.

choc4In 1998, Nestlé bought Rowntree, and by this, becoming the largest producer of chocolate in the world, producing Swiss chocolate. Nestlé employs over 250000 people throughout the world and in for this fact, the largest Swiss company.

Should you find yourself in the Montreux region, next to the Lake Leman, you will have the possibility of taking a train named "Swiss Chocolate Train". The train departs from Montreux to climb up to the region of Gruyère.

Gruyère is known for their famous cheese, "Gruyère". The train then follows its trail to arrive at Broc, where you will find a chocolate factory. I would recommend that you choose the 1st class wagons. They date back to 1915 and are from the "Belle époque". You will definitely enjoy crossing through the vines without forgetting the medieval city of Gruyères.

The Swiss Chocolate Train is usually functional from April through to October and the trip lasts round about 1/2 hour. You will experience a visit to the Broc chocolate factory and you are most welcome to taste the chocolate while there.

Rudolph Lindt

Rudolph Lindt from Bern, discovered in 1879, that chocolate can be rendered even smoother and "melt in the mouth" by adding cocoa butter to it. This is what gives Lindt chocolate its smooth and melting texture.

Jean Tobler

choc5Let’s not forget Mr. Tobler, founder of a chocolate factory in Bern. In 1908, he started the production of chocolate in the form of a triangle.

Just a little story: during my years of backpacking across the world, I remember seeing this particular chocolate in Southern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South- and Central America. At that particular time, I was contented with window-shopping because my travelling budget, would not allow for. Back in Switzerland, after 3 years of travelling, I largely caught up.

I wish you a lot of pleasure while coming on hikes or walks in Switzerland and should you be obsessed by the temptation of Swiss chocolate, go ahead and enjoy.

Switzerland Recipes to Make Your Mouth Water

fondue1There are just about as many Swiss recipes as there are villages in Switzerland. With the intention of walking and hiking in Switzerland’s beautiful and breath-taking country side, you can also join the idea of tasting the local specialties.

I know many foreigners, living in Switzerland, and this for quite a few years now and a large majority, there are always exceptions; really enjoy eating our cheese fondue. There are even times when they are fonder of it than the average Swiss!

When I go abroad and the opportunity is present, I go and see my friends from that particular country; I call or e-mail them before leaving and they always remind me not to forget "that packet of fondue" and that I have to bring it with me.

Generally, fondues are eaten during the winter months and almost every restaurant has its own secret recipe. However you will find that certain tourist summer stations still have the fondue on their menus in summertime.

These recipes date back to the 18th century. The word "fondue" comes from the French word "fondre" meaning "to melt".

In the canton of Neuchâtel, their fondue is prepared with at least two types of cheeses (Gruyère and Emmental) mixed with a little very dry white wine. This is a very convivial meal because each person participates in dipping his bread, on the tip of a very long fork, into the fondue pot, situated in the middle of the table. The pot is adapted to this particular meal and commonly known as a "caquelon". Out of all the recipes that exist, allow me to share my own with you:

Swiss Recipe for Cheese Fondue

fondue2Ingredients:

  • 1 Garlic clove
  • 28 Ounces of cheese
  • Dry white wine
  • Pepper, freshly ground
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Kirsch (cherry schnapps)
  • Fresh bread

Instructions:

  1. Make a binding agent. Mix 4 to 5 teaspoons of flour with 1 teaspoon of cherry schnapps (you can add more according to the number of people eating the fondue). To this, add a pinch of baking soda.
  2. Take the garlic and rub it against the fondue pot. If you like garlic, leave it in the fondue pot.
  3. Add 4 cups of dry white wine and warm at a low temperature.
  4. Once the wine boils, add both cheeses at the same time.
  5. After the cheese mixture begins to boil, cook this for a few minutes.
  6. Add the binding agent.
  7. Season with the pepper and serve as soon as possible. Keep the cheese warm at a low temperature while serving.

fondue3This recipe is used all over Switzerland. You will taste while in Switzerland can vary depending in which Canton you’re in. In the canton of Vaud, they sometimes use slightly toasted garlic and a cheese called "Gruyère".

In the Geneva region, they usually use 3 types of cheese and add mushrooms to the mixture.

In the canton of Glaris, the fondue generally has a very pronounced taste because very often, they add a little bit of an herb cheese named "Schabziger".

We always eat our fondue with fresh white bread with a thick and crispy crust and this for the simple reason that it doesn’t slip off the fork. Should you not be able to find fondue forks, you can also use the little sticks that are sometimes used for mixed grills. One important thing to know about fondues is that should you happen to lose your bread in the fondue mix, the fondue tradition has it that you offer a bottle of white wine to all the people participating in the meal!

Other thing, don’t only limit yourself to the ingredient cheese in your fondue. There are also chocolate fondues that are presented for deserts. These fondues are made by melting chocolate in the "caquelon" and you can dip fresh or dry fruit or even marshmallows in it.

Evidently, there is also a large range of local dishes, typically Swiss. Swiss gastromy has an excellent reputation worldwide. The different dishes are also, in part, influenced by the countries surrounding Switzerland.

I wish you many an excellent table experience during your stay in Switzerland and always a wonderful time during your walks and hikes across this beautiful country.

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Brian Bradshaw. I’m a super duper mega hiking enthusiast, with a love for everything that has to do with outdoors, hiking, gear, footwear and more.

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