"Cheese Sharing" in the Bernese Oberland
In the Swiss Alps, Cheese is Cause for Serious Partying
By Fritz Hutmacher
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| "Mooooo!" says the tourist, attempting to converse with one of the locals. |
Here in the Bernese Oberland around the 10th of June, 20,000 cows go up the mountains into the alpine pastures. There are 630 dairy huts scattered throughout the mountains. From these huts, over two million pounds of Alpcheese are produced. Cheese aged for three years or more is called Höbelkäse and is sold in local restaurants.
It takes 10 kilograms (22 lbs.) of milk to produce just one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of cheese. Therefore, a day in the life of an Alpine dairy farmer is very hard. A farmer's day starts by 5 a.m. and does not end until after 8 p.m. He or she gets only one day off each summer and must stay in the Alps for 100 days. Throughout the summer they may have to move into other huts in higher elevations, to find more fertile pastures for the cows.
There are three different types of cows: 1) the browns in the East; 2) the brown & whites in the Central region; and 3) the black & white ones in the French part of Switzerland. They all speak the same language: "Mooooo!"
At the end of summer, around the first week in September, the cows begin their descent into the plains and valleys. This is a time of great celebration. There are parties everywhere and the cheese is distributed to the owner of the cow after the daily milk report. The festivities around the cheese-cutting and distribution to the farmer are known locally as a Käseteilet or Chästeilet ("cheese sharing").
This is a wonderful opportunity to see another side of the Bernese-Oberland — to venture into isolated areas that the average tourist generally does not get to see. Don't be afraid; my hotel guests have had outstanding adventures with the locals. Enjoying our wine and beer might also help.
The Käseteilet dates are published in local newspapers and transportation to and from isolated towns is organized. Ask your hotelier for more information. The best known Käseteilet is in the Justistal area, near Interlaken (usually held in late September). You can get to the Justistal by local bus from Beatenberg or by doing a one-hour scenic hike over the old military road. Other Käseteilet include those held at Mägisalp and St. Stephan in the Simmental.
For up-to-date specifics, see the latest edition of the Rick Steves' Switzerland guidebook. We also offer free-spirited tours of Switzerland.