When ordering a ham & swiss sandwich in Switzerland I understand that all cheese is Swiss cheese.?

Question

What is the equivalent to the Swiss cheese we buy in USA. Also, is American cheese still called American cheese?

Answer 1

Ask for emmentaler, that is what we would call Swiss. Don't ask for American cheese. I come from Wisconsin and we call that crap. Take advantage of quality cheese when you can get it.

Answer 2

Nothing makes a Swiss person (well my husband anyway) madder than the expression "Swiss cheese". Would you talk about "Italian cheese" or would you distinguish between Parmesan and mozzarella?

But yes, Emmentaler is the closest thing to what is called "swiss". It is a very pale yellow and has holes. It's rather sharper than Gruyères, which is also readily available in the US (it must be! At least in Canada it is, at a decent cheese-counter), and which I generally prefer, but which doesn't have holes (or very rarely).

If you see a sandwich listed on a menu, it will specify the cheese by name (which is often the place of origin). It may be Emmentaler or Gruyères, or another Swiss one, or even a French one, often Brie.

I can't remember seeing American cheese here. You can sometimes find (in a cheese shop, not on sandwiches) cheddar, but it's normally from England.

Answer 3

Any cheese you eat in Switzerland is better than the American
cheese. Has more taste. Try, open yourself to new tastes like try a cheese called Tomm its from the mountains, it has a distinct taste. The options are so wide, you can go into any supermarket in Switzerland and ask to try several cheese
before you buy anything.

Answer 4

I doubt if you will find American cheese in CH, but it is 15 years since I lived there so maybe they have been corrupted with their cheeses as with other food entities.