Why Swiss Cheese Is a National Icon
Cheese - More Than Holes Reading Time: 4 Min. Publication: February 11, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer Few foods are as closely associated with a country as cheese is with Switzerland . From alpine huts high above the tree line to supermarket shelves around the world, Swiss cheese has become a symbol of craftsmanship, tradition, and quality. While many people think first of pale yellow wheels with neat round holes, Switzerland’s cheese culture is far richer and more diverse. Its iconic status is rooted in geography, history, and an uncompromising approach to production that continues to define Swiss identity. Geography, Cows, and Craft Switzerland’s mountainous landscape plays a decisive role in its cheese-making heritage. Much of the country is unsuitable for large-scale crop farming , but its alpine meadows are ideal for grazing. For centuries, farmers moved their cows to high pastures during the summer months, wher...