The products of the 100% natural agriculture of Valposchiavo are incredibly diverse, due to the climatic conditions of this particular region but also to its geographical location. This long isolated valley, has developed typical habits and customs that are also reflected in its culinary traditions.
Taste these specialties during a stay in the valley!
Aromatic herbsCheesesFruits and vegetablesMeatBreadsPastaSalt, pepper, spices, vinegar, oilSweetsCraft beersCraft distilleriesPizzoccheriCapunetTaiadinBuntà da la val
Aromatic herbs
Herbs play an important role in local agriculture. More than 30 tea herbs and flowering plants are grown under the sun before being dried on the farms, defoliated, mixed and packed.
Festival delle erbe spontanee
In May, the Festival delle erbe spontanee highlights the great botanical biodiversity characterizing the Alpine valleys. Ideal to discover the herbs of Valposchiavo, through visits, conferences, workshops, a market and a meal of course!
Discover herbal teas
These aromatic herbs are then transformed into herbal teas, as tasty as they are varied. More than 20 different 100% Valposchiavo herbal teas are created in the valley.
Cheeses
The production of cheese and other dairy products is part of the rural tradition of Valpsochiavo. These dairy products are made exclusively from natural ingredients, without preservatives or other additives.
Palü, Pressato, Supertony, Giuanin, Fromagella, Grottino, San Carlo, Sciümüdin, Saoseo and Mozzarella are so many different cheeses to taste during a stay in the valley! Not forgetting the Formaggio d’alpe e formagella, a mountain cheese produced during the summer.
Discover cheeses and other dairy products
The milk from Valposchiavo is used to make delicious cheeses, butter, ricotta and yoghurt. All with the Valposchiavo labels of course!
Visit the Caseificio Valposchiavo
To learn more about these cheeses, there is nothing better than to visit the Caseificio Valposchiavo – one of the first fully organic dairies in Switzerland! The visit ends with a cheese tasting (organic, of course!).
Fruits and vegetables
Fruit trees have been grown up to 700 meters above sea level for several decades. Strawberries, raspberries, currants, and blackberries are very successful on the Swiss market.
These fruits are also offered in the form of jams and juices – popular with young and old alike. They are also used to make yoghurt.
More information
To find out more about this culture and its growers, you can visit the website of Valposchiavo Turismo.
Participate to the Berry Tour
The Berry Tour offers you the opportunity to discover the sweet and colorful world of berries throughout the year. The program includes a visit to the Agriturismo Coltiviamo Sogni, the cultivation of the fruit and a tasting at the end of the tour!
Meat
Livestock and agriculture are an integral part of the region. In the past, each family owned its own livestock in order to provide for its own needs. Today, 3 butcher shops buy the meat and prepare it with great care.
More information
To discover the different meat products and their producers, please visit the website of Valposchiavo Turismo.
Furmagin da cion: specialty of the valley
Furmagin da cion is a traditional sausage, made in the past in every farming family of the valley. This product was consumed during the mazziglia – the slaughter of the pig – by the families of Valposchiavo. The recipe varied from one family to another, but the base was always the poor parts of the animal such as the neck, cheek, liver, and belly – chopped, spiced and baked.
This specialty is part of the Slow Food Presidi products.
Breads
As in many regions of Switzerland, there are different baked goods specific to Valposchiavo. There is the Brasciadela, of course, but also the Ciambella, the Poschiavini… and even hamburger paninis!
All produced with flour also cultivated in the valley.
Brasciadela, typical bread of Valposchiavo
Brasciadela is a ring-shaped rye bread characterized by an aniseed taste. It is THE typical local bread of Valposchiavo.
It owes its ring shape to the fact that, in the past, bread was baked only once every three or four months. To prevent rats from feasting on the precious bread, it was hung from posts fixed horizontally to the ceiling: hence the particular ring shape of the Brasciadela.
Pasta
Pasta and pizzoccheri – the typical meal of Valposchiavo – have been made for decades in the valley. The flour is mixed with pure mountain water and then shaped into various types of pasta. Hand-packed, they are then served in Valposchiavo, but also in the rest of the country and abroad.
Read more
Who doesn’t enjoy a hearty plate of pasta – especially when it’s made by expert hands, deep in Valposchiavo? Discover the whole mouth-watering range of pasta.
Get your hands dirty!
In Poschiavo, learn how to make pizzoccheri with Ornella, from Ristorante Motrice. This is an opportunity to get your hands dirty… before putting your fork in your mouth, much to the delight of gourmets.
Salt, pepper, spices, vinegar, oil
Valposchiavo even produces its own salt, enhanced with the aromatic herbs of the region. Two vinegars are made with apples and raspberries from the orchards, while other 100% Valposchiavo products complete the aromatic showcase of the valley.
Read more
To learn more about these delicious local products, visit the Valposchiavo Turismo website.
Sweets
Many sweets are concocted in Valposchiavo. Cookies, meringues, pies, gingerbread or Panettone are some examples. Sometimes decorated with berries, chestnuts or chocolate, they are sure to delight your tastebuds.
Read more
Discover all the sweets of the valley to make your mouth water.
Panettone sterilizzato, Gold Medal
Every two years, the Swiss Local Product Market & Contest takes place in the canton of Jura, another Grand Site du Goût. On this occasion, products from all over Switzerland are tasted and evaluated by professionals and amateurs alike, who award gold, silver and bronze medals.
In 2021, the Panettone sterilizzato – produced by Giorgio Bordoni in Poschiavo – won the gold medal among many other products. It seems that a visit is mandatory!
Craft beers
In Valposchiavo, two breweries have developed in recent years: Pacifi.ch and Birraria Poschiavina. Both have the “Fait sü in Valposchiavo” label and are produced in the valley. Many of them contain the floral flavours of the region.
Read more
To find out more about these two craft breweries and their beer selection, visit the Valposchiavo Turismo website.
Visit the Birraria Poschiavina
To discover the backstage of the craft brewery, go to Birraria Poschiavina. You can visit the brewery, learn more about its family history… and taste two beers at the end.
Craft distilleries
The products of the 100% natural agriculture can be tasted pure, but part of the fruits is transformed into brandies and liqueurs. In total, 4 different companies create these delicious elixirs: Casa Vinicola Misani, Pacifi.ch, Paganini Frutta and Rifugio Alpe San Romerio.
Let yourself be tempted by a walnut or elderberry liqueur, by a genepi or a grappa – and so many other drinks with subtle tastes drawn from the lands of Valposchiavo.
Read more
Discover the wide variety of liqueurs and eaux-de-vie produced in the region – and be sure to plan a visit to the producers during your stay!
Pizzoccheri
Pizzoccheri are a typical meal of Valposchiavo and are particularly appreciated by the locals.
These are handmade buckwheat noodles. They are cooked with potatoes and vegetables, seasoned with cheese, garlic and just enough butter and sage. The secret is the mixture of cheeses (local, of course!).
Get your hands dirty!
In Poschiavo, learn how to make pizzoccheri with Ornella, from Ristorante Motrice. This is an opportunity to get your hands dirty… before putting your fork in your mouth, to the delight of gourmets.
Discover the recipe
If you want to try to reproduce this speciality at home, Valposchiavo Turismo reveals you a precious recipe. It is best to use organic products from the valley!
Capunet
Capunet is enjoyed by young and old alike. These green dumplings are made of spinach and seasoned with cheese, butter, and garlic. Each family in Valposchiavo has its own recipe, inherited from previous generations.
In spring, wild spinach can replace cultivated spinach. Beware, such spinach must be earned: you have to climb up to 2,100 m above sea level to find it!
Discover the recipe
Find out more about these green dumplings and try making them in your kitchen! Chef Mario Crameri of Hotel Albrici in La Poste shares his personal recipe.
Taiadin
Taiadin is the name given to a fresh homemade pasta dish. The basic recipe, made with white flour and eggs, is the same for everyone – it is then completed according to each person’s wishes. Some families add milk to the dough to soften it, others add diced potatoes. The options are many!
Taiadin is often garnished with onions cooked in butter and grated cheese – and cold cuts and sausages go particularly well with this dish.
Cooking Taiadin with Loreta
From July to October, Loreta will teach you how to cook the famous Taïadin every Friday. In addition to learning how to make this dish to perfection, you can learn more about the history of Valposchiavo through the memories of this native of the valley!
Discover the recipe
Learn more about this typical Valposchiavo dish… and try to make it at home! Davide Migliacci, Chef at Agriturismo Miravalle, reveals his recipe for Taïadin al formaggio dell’alpe… and it makes our mouth water!
Buntà da la val
Would you like to get a taste of these regional specialties before booking your train tickets? Have you already spent your best vacations in Valposchiavo and want to remember those sweet memories? Or are you looking for the perfect gift for someone special?
In any case, order the Buntà da la val: a box filled with the flavours of the valley!
What’s in the box?
The Buntà da la val contains 6 products “100% Valposchiavo” and “Made in Valposchiavo”. Its content changes according to the seasons, proposing 4 different boxes (spring, summer, autumn, winter).
How to get it?
You can order your box through the website of Valposchiavo Turismo!
There are different options: you can order a single box to test and get an idea of the offer – or you can choose directly the subscription that allows you to receive the 4 different Buntà da la val throughout the seasons.
Regional actors
