Rheintaler Ribelmais, Rheintaler Ribel, or Türggenribel is a ground product made from a traditional type of maize grown in the Swiss Rhine Valley and Liechtenstein. Since summer 2000, Rheintaler Ribel AOP (formerly AOC) has been the only Swiss cereal product with a protected geographical indication. The name Ribelmais comes from the traditional dish, Ribel, which is made from it.
History Maize plays an important role in the Rhine valley, including three regions from different countries: in municipalities in the cantons of St. Gallen & Grisons (Switzerland), Principality of Liechtenstein and Vorarlberg (Austria). The rhine valley, which runs from south to north here, is influenced by Foehn wind and thus has a milder climate than the surrounding area, which is why maize could establish there. Maize is important in all three regions in their culture as well as in their economic history. Rheintaler Ribelmais has a large genetic diversity, since the best cobs were used in small-scale cultivation for new crops and, through centuries of artificial selection, varieties have been chosen that are optimally adapted to local conditions. In general, Ribelmais is characterised by the fact that it grows much better in spring under cool conditions than today's silage maize, which is why it has been used in recent years in Switzerland for producing new varieties.
History and tradition in Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein The cultivation of maize in Rhine valley is first reported in 1571 in Altstaetten. At that time, it was thought that it came from the Balkans, which is why the name Türggen or Türggenkorn (Turkish corn) became used for maize. After maize was established in the Rhine valley, it was eaten as a porridge breakfast dish “Ribel”. That's what it's called until today and where the name Rheintaler Ribelmais comes from. The cultivation of Ribelmais in Liechtenstein was first mentioned in a note from 1713, which said that maize had been first cultivated in 1680 in Liechtenstein. In 1871 60% of the arable land in Liechtenstein were cultivated with Maize. Maize and potatoes were the staple food of the people. Traditionally every family grew its own maize in the garden or on the field. After harvest, the husks of the maize cobs had to be removed in order that the cob could dry well. For this occasion, it was tradition, that the whole family would meet and did this together. After the cobs were peeled down to two or four husks, the remaining husks were tied together, so the cobs could be hung in the screed to dry for a few months. This event, which is called “Usschellete” or “Hülschete” (depending on region) was one of the most important events in the whole year. The cultivation land of Ribelmais decreased significantly from the 1960s to 1990s, until there were only about 4 ha left in the 1990s. In 1998 an association of different producers, processors and farmers was founded which had the aim to promote the cultivation of Rheintaler Ribelmais again. They also want to ensure high quality of products and seed, strengthen the food value chain in the region, and preserve the tradition and the genetic diversity. Through the efforts of the association there are nowadays again 65 ha of land cultivated with Rheintaler Ribelmais. The association produces the seeds and distributes them to the farmers. To ensure the high quality of the product the Rheintaler Ribelmais were labelled as AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) in 2000. This label stands for traditional products and has a defined area where it can be produced.
Growing areas The area where Ribelmais is grown is limited to the north-south Rhine valley above Lake Constance:
the municipalities of Rheintal, Sarganserland and Werdenberg in the Canton of St. Gallen the municipalities of Fläsch, Jenins, Landquart, Maienfeld, Malans, Untervaz and Zizers in the Canton of Grisons the Principality of Liechtenstein
Processing After the harvest, which begins in mid-September, the grains are transported to the storehouses. The only operating storehouse for Rheintaler Ribelmais is the Lütolf AG in St. Margrethen (SG). After arrival, the grains are hot-air dried at about 50 °C for a day, this is the main difference to the traditional processing, where the whole cobs usually get air-dried on racks. From now on, the grains can be stored for up to two years. For further processing the grains are transferred to the “Meyerhans Mühlen AG” in Rheineck (SG) where the grains are milled into different degrees of grinding. An important aspect in the production of Ribelmais flour is, that the germ bud is milled together with the endosperm. This results in a distinct, nutty, flavor enhancement.
Use and products Rheintaler Ribelmais is used for the preparation of food. In the Rhine Valley it is used for the traditional maize dish of the same name. Sometimes it is also used to make polenta. Care must be taken to allow the Ribelmais to swell longer than other varieties. It is further used in a variety of products.
Bramata flour The Bramata flour variety is produced by Meyerhans Mühlen AG in Rheineck (SG) and distributed by Lütolf Spezialitäten AG. It differs from the original Ribelmais flour by a larger grain size.
Chips Lütolf Spezialitäten AG produces wholegrain chips made entirely out of Ribelmais; the only other ingredients are Swiss sunflower oil and salt.
Corn whiskey The production of whiskey containing Ribelmais started in 1999, after the production of spirits from grains was no longer prohibited in Switzerland. The master brewer of Sonnenbräu in Rebstein (SG), Arnold Graf, decided to start the production. The resulting whiskey is marketed under the name Ribel Swisslander Whisky.
Beer To celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1991, the Sonnenbräu brewing company announced a new type of beer made with Ribelmais. Since 2008 the beer has been distributed under the registered trademark "Ribelgold". Ribelgold is a light beer with an EBC of 8.5 and an average alcohol content of 5.0%. The mash consists of brewing barley and Rheintaler Ribelmais.
Corn poultry The company Geflügel Gourmet AG cooperates with local farmers in the Rhine Valley to produce various poultry, such as geese, poulards and guinea fowl, which are mainly fed on Ribelmais. The resulting poultry is recognizable by its distinct yellowish skin and meat colour as well as its intense aroma.
Rheintaler Ribelmais within Swiss maize landraces
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