16 The Cheese Guide
The Confrérie du Gruyère, or Brotherhood of Gruyère,
inducted 43 U.S.-based partners into the
brotherhood on June 24 in New York City. The
event, held at the New York Hilton Midtown,
marked the first time in its history that the
brotherhood visited the U.S. More than 150
members traveled from Switzerland for the
event, including the brotherhood's official
choir, which performed local songs of the
Gruyères region.
The Confrérie was formed in 1981 to protect
and promote authentic Gruyère AOP Switzerland. Its
main role now is to honor the people who care for and
promote this ancient cheese.
The New York ceremony marked the beginning of a
USA chapter of the brotherhood and required
inductees to swear their attachment to the cheese and
confess their true belief in Gruyère AOP, a Protected
Designation of Origin cheese produced in 170
dairies located in five regions around the town of
Gruyères in western Switzerland. The production
and aging for the product is defined by Swiss law,
and all Gruyère AOP producers must follow these
rules, which have not changed in more than 900 years of
production. Gruyère AOP is 100 percent natural, free of
additives and naturally gluten and lactose free.
Gruyère
Brotherhood
American Members
inducts
photos by Tara Neal
