Sharp Swiss

Sharp swiss is a more mature version of our locally made swiss cheesethat has been aged approximately 12 months.  Sharp swiss is an excellent substitute for Gruyere cheese, if you prefer the more mature variety.

What is "Sharp" Cheese?

Description of Swiss Cheese

Our Amish swiss cheese is made locally in Pearl Valley, Ohio.  The time honored process for making swiss cheese was brough here from Switzerland by the local population of Amish and Mennonite people.  At Shisler’s we have selected what we believe to be the best locally made swiss cheese.

History of Our Local Swiss Cheese

Our locally made Amish swiss cheese closely resembles the original Swiss Emmental Cheese, which was originally produced in the Swiss canton of Bern . Local  Swiss cheese has a distinctive appearance, as the blocks of the cheese are riddled with holes known as "eyes". Swiss cheese is known for its nutty, bittersweet taste.

In general, the larger the eyes in a Swiss cheese, the more pronounced its flavor; this is because the same conditions that lead to large eyes—longer aging or higher temperatures—also produce a stronger flavor. This poses a problem for makers of pre-sliced Swiss cheese. Cheese with large eyes doesn't slice well, sometimes coming apart in mechanical slicers. This costs time and money and is one reason why US manufacturers usually produce a product less aged and flavorful than the Amish swiss cheese made in North Central Ohio

Baby Swiss is another related cheese. Made by substituting water for the milk's whey to slow bacterial action, Baby Swiss cheese has smaller holes and a milder flavor. Baby Swiss is made from whole milk.

Lacy Swiss is a further variety of US small hole Swiss cheese made with low fat milk.

Wine Pairing with Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese pairs very well with numerous wines, but the most popular pairings are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Beaujolais and Pinot Noir are also great matches.  If you prefer white wine, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc pair well with Swiss cheese.  And for the beer lover, Swiss cheese goes well with Lager, Pale Ale, and Weiss Beer.