Gilbert's Fine Food

09/07/2026

Mention Rivella to a Swiss person and chances are they'll have a favourite colour.

Red, blue, green... everyone has an opinion (only red is allowed in our house).

Rivella is one of Switzerland's most popular soft drinks, and it's made using milk whey — a by-product of cheese production.

It's lightly sparkling, slightly sweet, and unlike anything most visitors have tasted before.

It's one of those uniquely Swiss experiences that surprises almost everyone.

Join us and discover the flavours locals grow up with.
Find out more at appetitejourneys.nz



📷 Image: https://cuisinehelvetica.com/

04/07/2026

To the untrained eye, rösti might look like a giant hash brown.

To the Swiss, it's something entirely different.

Originally a farmer's breakfast from the canton of Bern, rösti has become one of Switzerland's most beloved dishes.

Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and endlessly debated when it comes to the "right" way to make it.

Simple ingredients. Serious opinions.

Just the way Switzerland likes it.

Join us and experience the dishes that define Swiss food culture.
Discover our tours at appetitejourneys.nz

30/06/2026

Often mispronounced, Birchermüesli wasn't created in a bakery or restaurant.

It was developed by Swiss physician Dr Maximilian Bircher-Brenner in the late 1800s as part of a healthy diet for his patients.

What began as a simple mixture of oats, fruit, and nuts has since travelled around the world.

Yet in Switzerland, it's still a breakfast staple — fresh, wholesome, and endlessly adaptable. Some families will even have it as a summer option for dinner

Not every Swiss food tradition involves cheese or chocolate.

Join us and discover the stories behind Switzerland's most iconic foods.
appetitejourneys.nz

26/06/2026

One of the questions visitors ask most often in Switzerland is:

"Can you actually drink from that fountain?"

In most cases, the answer is yes.

Across Swiss towns and cities, public fountains provide clean drinking water and remain part of everyday life.

They're practical, beautiful, and often centuries old.

It's a small detail, but one that says a lot about Switzerland.

Join us and discover the details that make Switzerland unique.
Explore our journeys at appetitejourneys.nz

24/06/2026

Before brunch became fashionable, Switzerland already had a Sunday tradition.

Freshly baked Zopf (or Züpfe - depending on where you're from).

Soft, rich, lightly buttery, and braided by hand, Zopf has been a centrepiece of Swiss family breakfasts for generations.

Served with butter, jam, honey, cheese, or simply enjoyed on its own, it's one of those foods that instantly feels like home. If you want a real treat - a schinken züpfli

Simple traditions often tell the biggest stories.

Join us and discover Switzerland through its food traditions.
Learn more at appetitejourneys.nz

20/06/2026

It may sound like a cliché but spend time in the Swiss Alps and you'll soon hear one of the country's most iconic sounds: the gentle clanging of cowbells drifting across the mountainside.

Originally, the bells helped farmers locate animals grazing on alpine pastures high above the valleys. Today, they remain an important part of Swiss farming life and a symbol of the country's connection to the land.

But perhaps the most celebrated moment comes at the end of summer.

As the grazing season draws to a close, many communities mark the return of the cows from the mountains with colourful festivals and processions. Even the cows get dressed up! Decorated with flowers, enormous ceremonial bells, and traditional dress, they make their way back to the valleys in a celebration known as the Alpabzug or Désalpe.

It's part harvest festival, part community celebration, and entirely Swiss.

The scenery may be spectacular, but for many visitors it's the sound of the bells — echoing through the valleys — that becomes the lasting memory.

Join us and experience Switzerland's traditions, flavours, and alpine culture for yourself.
appetitejourneys.nz

18/06/2026

Walk into a Swiss kitchen and there's a good chance you'll find a yellow shaker sitting within arm's reach.

Aromat has been a pantry staple for generations, sprinkled over eggs, vegetables, pasta, popcorn, and just about anything else that finds its way onto the table.

Ask a Swiss person what it's best on and you'll likely start a passionate debate.

It's not fancy. It's not complicated. But somehow, it has become part of the national identity.

And yes, you'll probably find yourself bringing some home.

Join us and discover the flavours that shape everyday life in Switzerland.
appetitejourneys.nz

30/03/2026

If you know of anyone looking for a new van, we may have just the one that's needed!

2014 Toyota Hiace van with an exceptionally low 18,331 km. Manual transmission, mechanically excellent and very well maintained. The van is in great overall con...

13/03/2026

Founded in 1819, Ca***er is Switzerland’s oldest chocolate brand — part of the early wave of makers who helped define what Swiss chocolate would become.

In 1875, Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter - François-Louis Ca***er’s son-in-law - solved a problem that had frustrated confectioners for years — how to combine milk with chocolate without spoilage.

His invention transformed not only Swiss chocolate, but the global market.

Stories like this are part of how we explore Switzerland — through innovation as much as flavour.

Experience it for yourself with Appetite Journeys.
Learn more at appetitejourneys.nz

04/03/2026

Walking through Spalentor isn’t just passing a landmark — it’s crossing from one era into another.

Built in the 14th century, this gate once marked the edge of the city. Today, it quietly connects medieval Basel with the life of Spalenvorstadt beyond.

We visit Basel not to tick off sights, but to understand how history still shapes daily life.

Join us and experience Switzerland beyond the surface.
Discover our journeys at appetitejourneys.nz