Portal:Alpine Rhine/Rheintaler Ribelmais
Rheintaler Ribelmais, Rheintaler Ribel or Türggenribel (Vorarlberg: Riebel) is a ground product that is made from a traditional type of maize grown in the Swiss Rhine Valley and Liechtenstein. Rheintaler Ribel AOP (formerly AOC) has been the only Swiss cereal product since summer 2000 with a protected geographical indication. The name Ribelmais comes from the traditional dish, Ribel, from which it is made. Maize plays an important role in the cultural and economic history of the Rhine Valley. The cultivation of maize in the Rhine valley began in the 17th century, it being thought at the time that it came from the Balkans, hence the alternative name for maize of Türggen or Türggenkorn. The Rhine Valley, which runs from south to north here, is influenced by föhn winds and thus has a milder climate than the surrounding area, which is why maize thrives here ... « more »