During a recent visit to Saanen, one of nine villages around Gstaad in the canton of Bern, I discovered a mustard known as Saanen-Senf. Senf means mustard in German, but this product contains an ingredient not typically found in this popular condiment: Swiss cherries.
You may already be familiar with a similar product, Moutarde de Bénichon (Bénichon Mustard) from the Swiss canton of Fribourg. Like Saanen-Senf, Moutarde de Bénichon also more closely resembles a jam than a mustard — although both typically contain mustard powder. Bénichon Mustard is made with vin cuit, a thick pear-based syrup, as well as spices, like star anise, cinnamon and cloves. In comparison, Saanen-Senf uses cherry must — which Patrimoine Culinaire Suisse describes as a cherry-based version of vin cuit.
According to Gstaad Saanenland Tourism, Saanen’s mustard is commonly paired with ham or sausages. This sweet, spiced jam goes nicely with salty, cured meat. For example, you may find it on the menu at the Swiss Stübli of the five-star Alpina Gstaad hotel, served with sausages on a bed of cabbage and alongside roasted potatoes.
Where to buy it – Local bakeries, dairies and small markets in the Gstaad Saanenland region, such as the following:
- Bäckerei Müller, Dorfstrasse 57, 3792 Saanen
- Molkerei Saanen, Dorfstrasse 88, 3792 Saanen
How to make it – Swissmilk has published a recipe in French and German for Moutarde de Saanen.
Updated: May 10, 2022
Categories: Culinary travel, fruit, Lunch/dinner, Meat, Recipe, Swiss, Swiss food, Switzerland
Très intéressant comme d’habitude. Je ne connais pas du tout ce produit, j’aimerais bien goûter. J’aime beaucoup la moutarde de Bénichon. Il existe beaucoup de recettes différentes. La jolie ville d’Estavayer-le-Lac organise chaque année un concours lors de la fête de la Bénichon, c’est le dernier weekend d’août. Là tu peux goûter de nombreuses variantes!
Merci beaucoup, Odile! 😉 Oui! Je connais cette compétition. Mais, je ne l’ai jamais vu. Peut-être cette année !? J’aime le moutarde de Bénichon aussi! Merci pour le rappel. J’ai marqué mon calendrier!
This mustard sounds very tasty, I’d like to try it. It’s fantastic how creative and innovative some regions in Switzerland are. Thank you for paying attention to these niche products! The next time I’m visiting I obviously have to go to Saanen too 😉
It was a nice discovery. I had never heard of Saanen-Senf until I started doing some research for our trip. I should have bought more than one jar! 😉 Many thanks.