Sbrinz is not very known outside Switzerland; this extra-hard mountain gourmet cheese takes almost twice as long to mature as Emmental or Gruyere. It is more like an Italian Grana cheese and will keep for a long time without requiring a cool environment.

Produced in large flattish wheels, Sbrinz has a hard, thick, golden-brown rind and an extremely hard, grainy paste. The aroma is very tangy and piquant. This gourmet cheese has a very distinctive aroma with rich coffee and chocolate tones and a lemony tang. The flavor is really mellow and mature with a slightly burnt quality to it.

Sbrinz is very good shaved into paper-thin curly slices.