Mostbröckli
The Appenzeller Mostbröckli is a meat specialty from Switzerland . It is a cured , smoked and dried piece of horse , beef or cow meat that is dried after smoking and salting. It is sold either whole or in cut slices; it is served and eaten, however, exclusively cold in wafer-thin slices ( tranches ).
Origin and demarcation
Mostbröckli is produced in the two cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden as well as in the parts of the canton of St. Gallen bordering to the north in Switzerland. The Alpstein forms the natural boundary of the production area. Mostbröckli is consumed mainly throughout Switzerland, parts of Germany and Austria. In contrast to Bündnerfleisch and Valais dried meat , Mostbröckli is smoked for several hours before drying, which gives it its typical smoky taste. In Switzerland, horse meat is also used for production, but it is always labeled as such.
history
The oldest mention of Mostbröckli can be found in 1905 in the Schweizerisches Idiotikon , a Swiss-German dictionary . There you can read that the Mostbröckli is “an exquisite piece from the back of the beef”, “that is enjoyed dried as a delicacy with must”.
Mostbröckli originally comes from Appenzellerland in eastern Switzerland and was either seasoned with sour apple cider (fermented apple juice) or enjoyed with it. The name Mostbröckli is explained on the one hand by the fact that Mostbröckli is usually consumed together with a glass of cider. An Appenzell butcher gave a different interpretation: Since in the past the most tender beef was not always used, cider was added to it when it was salted. The acidity of the apple juice made the meat tender, which at the same time inhibited the spread of bacteria. There are historical reasons why the Mostbröckli was considered a substitute for pork: In the 19th century, the Appenzell farmers were mainly active in the dairy industry; In 1876 a cattle count counted 8,000 head of cattle and 4,000 goats, but only 3,500 pigs. Pigs were very expensive back then because they ate the same thing as humans. It was only with the later introduction of the cheese dairies and the whey produced from them that such a cheap feed was found for the pigs. However, pork was very popular then and now, especially smoked. It was therefore an obvious choice to refine the best cuts of beef in such a way that the taste was reminiscent of smoked pork.
The Appenzeller Mostbröckli was added to the list of Swiss products with protected geographical origin by the Federal Office for Agriculture on January 25, 2018 . Since then, it has been allowed to bear the IGP (Indication géographique protegée) trademark if its manufacturers meet the strict requirements of the specifications.
Use of dog meat
Until the end of the 20th century, it was still common on many farms in the Appenzellerland to smoke dog meat and process it into Mostbröckli. However, the change in eating habits then led to a decrease in the use of dog meat. The provisions of the ordinance of the Federal Department of the Interior (FDHA) on food of animal origin of November 23, 2005 ( Art. 2 ) also prohibit the commercial use of dog meat. However, extraction and consumption for personal use are permitted as long as there is no violation of animal welfare legislation. Furthermore, there are farmers in Appenzell who do not want to do without the production of Mostbröckli from dog meat.
Use of food additives
Synthetic flavor enhancers , antioxidants and preservatives are often used in the production of Mostbröckli today . There is no purity law, such as that for Italian Parma ham .
Web links
- Appenzeller Mostbröckli in the database of Swiss culinary heritage
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.kulinarischeserbe.ch/product.aspx?id=351
- ↑ Appenzeller Mostbröckli on the website of the Swiss AOP-IGP Association.
- ↑ Specifications Appenzeller Mostbröckli on the website of the Swiss AOP-IGP Association.
- ↑ Markus Rohner: Not only the Asians love dog meat. In: Basler Zeitung, February 23, 2002
- ↑ Art. 2 Para. 4 lit. a Food Act: " The law does not apply: to food and everyday objects that are intended for personal use."
- ^ Stefan Häne: The Swiss should no longer eat dogs and cats , Tagesanzeiger, December 27, 2012 ( reference ).
- ↑ Blick.ch: Dogs are also eaten in Switzerland . 23rd June 2015.