Emmental

Emmental is a famous Swiss hard cow's-milk cheese, originating from the valley of the river Emme. For most people in the world it is the very embodiment of the image of the classic “Swiss cheese” — large, golden, and full of holes.

The most characteristic feature of emmental is the large round holes (“eyes”) inside, the size of a cherry or even a walnut. They form naturally: during maturation special bacteria release carbon dioxide, which forms these cavities. Emmental has a dense but elastic texture and a pleasant, mild, slightly sweet nutty taste. It is made in gigantic wheels weighing 70–120 kg. This cheese melts beautifully, so it is a classic ingredient of Swiss fondue and many hot dishes, and is also tasty simply in slices. Emmental is the pride of the Swiss cheesemaking tradition.