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. Foods that are a “good
source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily
Value.