SAY "CHEESE!" WITH GRUYÈRE AOP
Unlike Emmental cheese, and contrary to popular belief, Gruyère cheese has little if any holes in it. Among the exhibitors at SIAL Paris 2024, one that could explain all the subtle differences between these two Swiss cheeses is Fromage Gruyère SA.
At SIAL Paris 2024, Fromage Gruyère SA brought a taste of Switzerland’s Gruyère heartland to an international stage. For the company, the event was more than a trade show – it was an opportunity to share a centuries-old tradition with a global audience and connect with both loyal customers and new markets.
Based in the very birthplace of Gruyère AOP, Fromage Gruyère SA operates at the centre of a region steeped in history and craftsmanship. The first traces of Gruyère production date back to 1115, while the name “Gruière” was recorded for the first time in 1655. Over the centuries, the expertise of generations of cheesemakers has been preserved and perfected, culminating in a product that has become a symbol of Swiss culinary heritage.
Crafting the authentic taste of Gruyère AOP
Gruyère AOP remains the company’s flagship product – the embodiment of traditional Swiss know-how. Produced exclusively in western Switzerland, Gruyère AOP is made from raw milk sourced from cows fed only on natural pastures and fodder, with no preservatives added. Its production follows strict specifications, and every stage, from milk producer to master ripener, is subject to rigorous quality controls.
The result is an exceptional cheese with a naturally fruity flavour, subtly shaped by the local soil. Each round, golden wheel is matured under the careful eye of the master ripener, its ivory-coloured texture developing a delicate yet robust character. The process is as much an art as it is a science – an alchemy of tradition, terroir and time.
Fromage Gruyère SA’s cellars, located deep in Gruyère country, play a vital role in giving the cheese its distinctive personality. Local roots and strong relationships with the region’s producers ensure that the authentic, ecological and cultural integrity of Gruyère AOP is preserved. This connection to place is an essential ingredient in its enduring appeal to cheese lovers worldwide.
SIAL Paris 2024: Building relationships and new opportunities
Participation at SIAL Paris 2024 gave the company a chance to share this story directly with visitors. As a representative explained:
“There’s something here that I like a lot and until now there’s been great feedback from customers, from the existing ones and from the new ones. I like to be at SIAL Paris to show our product, to have the contact with the customer. And we have a nice mix of making appointments with existing customers and new ones.”
The event also played a strategic role in the company’s growth plans. While maintaining long-term partnerships in existing markets, Fromage Gruyère SA is actively seeking opportunities in new territories.
“We’re looking for customers that are on markets that we aren’t on. We’ve actually been focusing quite exclusivity on the existing market with our long-term partners so we’ve been looking more for new markets. So far, we’re very satisfied with the contacts that have been created. There have been some surprises and some meetings that we were looking for for a long time.”
The positive results from SIAL Paris 2024 have already set the stage for the future.
“For sure we will be back in two years. Let’s meet at SIAL 2026!”
For Fromage Gruyère SA, each encounter, whether with a long-standing partner or a new distributor, is an opportunity to extend the spirit of Gruyère beyond Switzerland’s borders. At SIAL Paris, that spirit was not only on display; it was tasted, appreciated and celebrated.
Image credit: edseloh - Wikimedia Commons