Rheintaler Ribelmais
Rheintaler Ribelmais, Rheintaler Ribel or Türggenribel is a ground product that is made from a traditional type of
History
Maize plays an important role in the Rhine valley, including three regions from different countries: in municipalities in the cantons of
Rheintaler Ribelmais has a large genetic diversity, since the best
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.[2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
The cultivation land of Ribelmais decreased significantly from the 1960s to 1990s, until there were only about 4 ha left in the 1990s.[5] 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.[4]
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 Werdenberg in the Canton of St. Gallen
- the municipalities of
- 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.[6][7]
Use and Products
Rheintaler Ribelmais is used for the preparation of food. In the Rhine Valley it is used for 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
This flour variety is produced by the company of “Meyerhans Mühlen AG” in Rheineck (SG) and distributed by “Lütolf Spezialitäten AG”, it differs from the original Ribelmais flour by a larger grain size.[8]
Chips
The company “Lütolf Spezialitäten AG” produces wholegrain chips made entirely out of Ribelmais, the only other ingredients are Swiss sunflower oil and salt.[9]
Corn whiskey
The production of
Beer
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sonnenbräu brewing company in 1991, the company announced a new type of beer made with Ribelmais. Since 2008 the beer is distributed as a registered trademark under the name of “Ribelgold”. The 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.[11]
Corn poultry
The company of “Geflügel Gourmet AG” cooperates with local farmers in the rhine valley to produce a variety of poultry like geese, poulards and guinea fowl, which are mainly feed on Ribelmais. The resulting poultry is recognizable by its distinct yellowish skin and meat colour as well as its intense aroma.[12]
The Rheintaler Ribelmais within the Swiss maize landraces
Importance of landraces
Swiss Landraces
Switzerland has a broad genetic diversity of maize landraces, which are also distinguishable to the genetic pools of neighbouring countries. Technically, the landraces such as the Rheintaler landrace are not separated and independent varieties but a collection or pool of maize plant populations grown in the same region. Genetic analysis from the defined Swiss core collection for maize
If the Swiss landraces are put into an international context, the southern Swiss landraces from the Ticino are most similar to the Italian-Orange-Flint pool, whereas northern landraces are closely related to the Northern American flints,[18] which is remarkable considering that corn was first brought to Europe from the American continent in the late 15th century after the exploration of America by the Europeans.[19]
The “Rheintaler” landrace
The products of the Rheintaler Ribelmais exclusively use maize produced from the Rheintaler landrace. It belongs to the Flint corn variant, which has hard corns with lower water content and is thus suitable for grinding and milling but not for cob- or popcorn production. Many landraces in Switzerland were named after the colour of their cobs (e.g. weisser Rheintaler). In the Rhine valley, the cobs often have a light-yellowish colour, but also other colour-variants are known, whereas also a small (Kleiner Rheintaler) and big (grosser Rheitnaler) landrace type was defined. The two types differ in the count of the rows (8, 12 or 16) and the size of the corn.[20]
The colour of the cobs varies across the Swiss landraces and can even change over time due to the high diversity within the landraces and the random fertilisation of the open-flowering plants within the field.
Because of its white cobs, it is assumed that the white-corn varieties, which can be found south of Venice may have been introduced to the Rhine valley and influenced the colour of the cobs by crossing with the original landraces in the Rhine valley. Through
Genetic Adaption
Stress tolerance of landraces
Rheintaler Ribelmais is a so-called landrace. A landrace differs in several ways from "normal" races. It is adapted genetically to a certain environment, which can include nutrient-poor soil conditions, traditional agriculture or other cultural practices. Furthermore, it has a higher genetic heterogeneity than a modern hybrid. These traits makes Rheintaler Ribelmais potentially more tolerant to stress. Genetically uniform plant species, such as hybrids have lost their natural resilience: If one plant becomes susceptible to a stress factor, as a consequence all of them will become susceptible.[22]
However, maize is a cross-pollinator. In countries with small scale agriculture, as it is the case in Switzerland, fields are comparatively small. With decreasing numbers of neighbouring plants, as it is the case on small fields, genetic diversity is reduced. This increases the risk of malformations. In recent years, Ribelmais has become more susceptible to pests, which were unproblematic in earlier days. This contradicts the common assumption mentioned before, that landraces are better adapted to local conditions. To ensure trait quality, nowadays Rheintaler Ribelmais needs to be observed and altered by breeding programmes. Modern varieties could therefore be better adapted than traditional landraces.[23]
Cold tolerance of Rheintaler Ribelmais
Maize is a chilling-sensitive species, as it originates from the tropics.[24] To make maize cultivation possible in Europe, it is planted during late spring. To increase yield, breeding programs mainly select for early maturing maize. Another approach is to breed for increased chilling tolerance. This would make earlier sowing possible and elongate the vegetation period. Consequently, yield would increase.[25] Moreover, seedlings get more competitive against weeds.[22] However, there is no scientific evidence that Rheintaler Ribelmais is more cold tolerant compared to modern hybrids.[23]
References
- ^ [dead link] Rheintaler Ribel (GUB) Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft, Verfügung vom 7 August 2000
- ^ Koblet, R. (1965). Der landwirtschaftliche Pflanzenbau, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der schweizerischen Verhältnisse. Basel: Birkhäuser Verlag.
- ^ Ospelt, Alois (1972). Wirtschaftsgeschichte des Fürstentums Liechtenstein im 19. Jahrhundert. Vaduz. p. 164.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b "Ribelmais.ch". Rheintaler Ribelmais. Verein Rheintaler Ribelmais. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ^ Verein Rheintaler Ribelmais (2003). Das Ribel-Buch. Buchs SG: BuchsMedien AG.
- ^ "Kulinarisches Erbe der Schweiz Patrimoine culinaire". www.patrimoineculinaire.ch. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ "Rheintaler Ribelmais » Produktion". Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ https://www.luetolf-spezialitaeten.ch/produkt gefunden am 03.10.2020
- ^ "Produkte". Lütolf Spezialitäten. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ "Ribel Swisslander – Swisslander" (in German). Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ https://www.sonnenbraeu.ch/bier/ribelgold-maisbier/ gefunden am 07.10.2020
- ^ https://www.gefluegelgourmet.ch/produkte.html gefunden am 07.10.2020
- S2CID 5234510.
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- ^ Martin. "UN Report: Nature's Dangerous Decline 'Unprecedented'; Species Extinction Rates 'Accelerating'". United Nations Sustainable Development. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- S2CID 24901265.
- S2CID 21024061.
- ^ a b c Freitag, N; Schneider, D:, Mir, C; Stamp, P; Hund, A; Messmer, R (2012). "Swiss maize (Zea mays L) landraces. Their genetic diversity and distinctiveness in a global comparison". Maydica. 57: 226–235 – via https://journals-crea.4science.it/.
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: External link in
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- PMID 21377617.
- ^ "NAP Dokumentation alpiner Kulturpflanzen. Durchsicht des Maisarchivs. Zwischenbericht. Peer Schilperoord Alvaneu Dorf - PDF Free Download". docplayer.org. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
- ^ )
- ^ a b Schneider, Nathanael (2011). "Early growth and yield performance of Swiss maize landraces (Zea mays L.) in contrasting environments". Doectoral Dissertation, ETH Zurich.
- ^ a b Schilperoord, Peer (2014). "Le maïs". Verein für alpine Kulturpflanze.
- doi:10.1071/CP08427.)
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - PMID 17881337.)
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External links
- Verein Rheintaler Ribelmais
- Rheintaler Ribelmais, Schweizerische Vereinigung AOP/IGP
- Ribelmais, Rheintaler Ribel in the database of the Culinary Heritage of Switzerland
Comparable products:
- Linthmais-Mehl in the database of the Culinary Heritage of Switzerland