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Why Not All “Swiss Cheese” Has Holes
Let’s clear something up:
Not all Swiss cheese has holes.
And not all holey cheese is Swiss.
Gruyère? Swiss — but usually no holes (or very small ones)
Sbrinz? Hard, aged — no eyes at all
American “Swiss” cheese? Often has holes — but they’re larger and less uniform than real Emmentaler
Only authentic Emmentaler AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) — made in Switzerland under strict rules — has the classic, walnut-sized eyes.
And even then, no two wheels are the same.
Each one tells a story of:
The season
The pasture
The weather
The skill of the cheesemaker
And yes — the breathing.
The Tapping Ritual – How Cheesemakers “Listen” to Cheese
Back in that cave, the cheesemaker wasn’t just tapping for fun.
He was performing a centuries-old tradition called “affinage by sound.”
Each tap produces a tone:
Hollow sound = good-sized eyes, healthy aging
Dull thud = too dense, no gas development
Cracking sound = possible cracks inside (a flaw)
It’s a skill passed down through generations — like a musician tuning an instrument.
And if the sound is wrong?
The cheese gets set aside.
Because in Switzerland, perfection is expected.
Fun Facts About Swiss Cheese Holes
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