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What to eat in Switzerland? Top 5 Swiss Semi-soft Cheeses

Last update: Fri Feb 28 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Swiss Semi-soft Cheese Types

01

Cheese

FRIBOURG, Switzerland
4.0
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Vacherin Fribourgeois is a traditional semi-soft cheese. It's made from raw cow's milk in Bulle and Fribourg. The cows graze only on grass and summer hay on the Alpine meadows. The rind is washed and has a pungent aroma. The interior hides an open, firm, and buttery texture.


The aromas are grassy and strong, while the flavors are buttery, nutty, milky, and acidic. It's difficult to find the cheese because it's produced only by a handful of local artisanal cheese makers. There are 6 varieties of Vacherin Fribourgeois: Classic (6-12 weeks), Extra (at least 12 weeks), Rustic (at least 12 weeks and up to 25 weeks), Alpage (12-25 weeks), Mountain (9-25 weeks), and Organic (at least 9 weeks). 
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02

Cheese

CANTON OF THURGAU, Switzerland
3.8
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Scharfe Maxx is a Swiss cheese hailing from Thurgau. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk that's been thermized, and it's left to age for 5-6 months. It has a washed rind that hides a semi-soft texture of the cheese. Although it can be mild at first taste, Scharfe Maxx also has a sharp and nutty finish with hints of barnyard.


During the production process, cream is added to the cheese, resulting in a silkiness that balances the savory notes of beef broth and sautéed onions. There are also Maxx Extra, aged to 9 months, and Maxx 365, aged up to a year. In spite of its range of complex flavors, Scharfe Maxx is quite versatile, so it can be paired with mustard, rye bread, pickles, potatoes, berry jams, eggs, sandwiches, and asparagus, among others. 
03

Cheese

CRESSIER, Switzerland
3.8
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Mont Vully is a Swiss cheese made from raw cow's milk. It's produced in the Canton of Fribourg. The texture of Mont Vully is semi-soft and delicate, while the flavors are mild, nutty, woodsy, and slightly piquant. As it ages (10 to 20 weeks), the cheese is regularly washed with Pinot Noir from local vineyards, giving it a reddish rind.


The cheese can also be recognized by a grape imprint on top of the wheel. The name of this cheese is a reference to Mont Vully, a hill in the Swiss Plateau. It is produced in 3 varieties – Classique (the original), Bio (organic), and Réserve (matured for 25 weeks).

04

Cheese

ZÜRICH, Switzerland
3.4
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Sternenberger Mutschli is a Swiss cheese produced in Zurich by Urs Preisig. The cheese is made from the milk of two local cow herds – the larger wheel is called Sternenberg, while the smaller one is called Mutschli, meaning little cheese.


During the two months of aging, these cheeses are washed with annato and brine, resulting in an orange or reddish rind. The texture is semi-soft, the aromas are vegetal and savory, while the flavors are mild, nutty, and grassy, with slight barnyardy hints. 
05

Cheese

ROSSINIÈRE, Switzerland
n/a
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Le Sousbois is a Swiss cheese originating from Vaud. It was invented in 2000 by Jean-Robert Henchoz. The cheese is made from raw Simmental cow's milk and it ages wrapped in spruce bark. Underneath its thin bloomy rind, the texture is gooey and buttery.


The aromas are smoky and woodsy, while the flavors are mushroomy, earthy, and grassy. The name of the cheese means below the woods, describing the place of its production. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of hoppy ale or Champagne.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Swiss Semi-soft Cheese Producers

01

Cheese

LANGNAU IM EMMENTAL, Switzerland
5.0
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Gourmino, based in Langnau im Emmental, Switzerland, is a cooperative formed by a group of Swiss Alpine dairies specializing in the production of Emmental cheese. This producer focuses on traditional cheese-making methods, aging their cheese in natural cave cellars.


Gourmino also plays a significant role in supporting local dairy farmers by providing a stable outlet for their milk, while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and quality in their cheese production processes.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold

2023, 2022

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2012

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024, 2023, 2022

BEST Gourmino Cheeses
02

Cheese

CANTON OF AARGAU, Switzerland
4.8
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Brülisauer Käse is a cheese production company based in Brülisau, Switzerland. The company specializes in making traditional Swiss cheeses, including Appenzeller cheese, known for its distinct flavor derived from herbal brine treatments. Brülisauer Käse AG produces its cheeses using milk from local farms, emphasizing quality and regional sourcing.
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2024, 2022

BEST Brülisauer Käse Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Swiss Semi-soft Cheeses

01

Cheese

CANTON OF AARGAU, Switzerland
4.8
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Add To List
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2024, 2022

02

Cheese

LANGNAU IM EMMENTAL, Switzerland
4.8
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AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class

2024

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Swiss Semi-soft Cheeses