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Raw materials/Variety/Race
The Rheintaler Ribelmais AOC is a semolina coming from the Türggen, an ancient variety of Swiss corn.
Method of working/Cultivation/Breeding
sowing takes place until mid-May. Harvest takes place in October and can be done manually or with a combine harvester. Once harvested, the corn is shucked, dried in the collector centre at a maximum temperature of 40°C and then washed. The grinding process is realized in the mill thanks to a cylinder grinder machine or a grindstone. The ground corn passes then through several sieves which divide the product according to the different fineness degrees. The resulting semolina can be marketed individually or mixed.
Aspect and Taste
the Rheintaler Ribelmais AOC can be segmented in semolina, in finot (very thin and pure semolina) or in corn flour. It has a characteristic white-beige colour and some darker particles resulting from injections. It has a deep corn taste, slightly sweetish.
Production Zone
The production area of Rheintaler Ribelmais AOC includes the cantons of St. Gall and Grisons.
History
Originally from south America, the Türggen variety was probably introduced into Switzerland passing through Italy. It represents the most ancient corn variety implanted in the Rhine Valley. From the 17th century on, the corn is at the base of the diet of Rheintal population. Indeed, the warm and humid climate of the valley made the production of other cereals difficult. From the 20th century, the area dedicated to cereals (including corn) decreased constantly in the Rheintal. However, the corn cultivation has been strongly revitalized following the AOC registration request of Rheintaler Ribelmais AOC. This made possible the safeguard of the traditional Türggen variety.
Gastronomy
The Rheintaler Ribelmais AOC product can be conserved for six months in its packaging. Traditionally consumed cooked or long-grilled in a frying pan and accompanied with a coffee with milk or a fruit compote, the product is now used by imaginative chefs who put this tasty semolina in the centre of original recipes.
Marketing
The product is sold as Rheintaler Ribelmais AOC. It is marketed in 500 gr sachet, in fine semolina and in Bramata.
Distinctive features
The Rheintaler Ribelmais AOC is still today an important symbol of the Rhine Valley. It is in the centre of many regional events like village parties, traditional festivals or the carnival.