Typical products

Ticino may extend over just 2,800 square kilometres, yet it produces a wide variety of top-quality wines and food, made by hand according to traditional methods using purely local ingredients. This style of production is quite different to industrial methods, and offers consumers products that are entirely local, exclusive and above all authentic. Indeed, gastronomy in Ticino is primarily about making use of local products, whether fruit and vegetables, meat or fish.

A number of products in Ticino have become classics: part of traditional local gastronomy, they remain highly popular to this day. Cheeses from the alpine pastures, traditionally made salami, specialities based around sweet chestnuts, polenta made with maize flower and Merlot wines are all typical of the region and much appreciated by aficionados.

The chestnut

Typical product of the canton of Ticino, which has been one of the most important sources of food in the past. This delicious fruit is undergoing a renaissance. In fact derived from its processing is obtained the roast chestnut, the marron glacé, the vermicell, chestnut jam and many others delicacies.

Ticino's Merlot

The main grape of the Canton Ticino is the Merlot, imported from France for experimental purposes at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Risotto ticinese

One of the pillars of ticinese gastronomy. Excellent accompaniment to dishes based on meat and fish. Without forgetting a good glass of ticinese Merlot.

The "Farina bona"

A special and unique tradition of the Onsernone Valley. This type of flour is used in the preparation of many dishes in Ticino.

Zincarlin

This typical cheese, produced in the picturesque Valley of Muggio, was the first product to be awarded with the Swiss Slow Food presidium.

Make your own cheese

An experience not to be missed: you can make your own cheese using top-quality ingredients in a cheese factory.