That's because the Swiss definition of semi-skimmed milk is less skimmed than the French version.

For me anyway proper fresh milk is not skimmed, and there the basic UK/FR/CH versions (i.e. not speciality stuff from Jersey cows etc) taste the same to me.

No, we have this and it's very good. Re raw milk you can't find that in Coop/Migros, you have to find a farm that has a vending machine.
The Coop version is also not too bad, you must have this around you

Is the fresh milk as understood in France equivalent to raw milk?

In Switzerland you'll find automated machines dispensing raw milk directly in farms. You insert some coins (currently 1.20 CHF per liter) and refill your bottles. The cows are just behind the fridge storing the milk. I'd be seriously surprised that the milk distributed by any supermarket chain could be fresher and better tasting.

What you posted is bog standard pasteurised milk, not 'fresh' milk.

Tom

No, as per her link, it's pasteurised.

Tom

missed that! you cannot call milk that demi-écrémé white liquid.

That is no different to the fresh milk we get here in Switzerland, in fact I’d go so far as to say the Swiss milk is better in my opinion.
I certainly wouldn’t go to France for that.

Not sure I'd say that either is better. I only ever buy the full-fat version, as it happens, and am as happy with what I buy from Swiss supermarkets as French. The price isn't much different either, sometimes lower in CH, sometimes in Fr, where it varies more with the market, as does butter, whereas in CH it seems pretty much fixed over time.

It's not so long ago, however, that it was difficult, and sometimes impossible to buy fresh (yes, Tom, Pastuerised, but the label says "fresh", so...) milk in French shops. Shelves and shelves of UHT of various brands and types, but only a tiny space for fresh, or none at all. It's really only in the last five years, maybe ten, then one has been able to pretty much guarantee getting it in any (i.e. not just the bigger ones, close to the Swiss border, or tourism-based) French supermarket.

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That’s true, it was virtually impossible to buy non UHT milk in France when we lived there and the french still seem to favour the UHT stuff for some weird reason.

I mostly get milk from the local farm, the supermarket stuff is pretty much the same everywhere.

It may be our taste buds developed for UK/Australian milk, but for whatever the reason the milk from Switzerland just tastes like UHT milk all the time - except as, as you and some people have mentioned, you specifically buy directly the milk from the farm. I think there's one place in the whole of Geneva where you can do that, so no thanks, it is just easier to cross the border and go to a normal supermarket.

Bottom line is: if we could find the same milk, the same quality meat and fish, and the same gorgeous vegetables in any normal Swiss supermarket, I would no doubt be willing to entirely shop in here. Since going across the border takes us 30 min on the bike, we do it.

Milk in Swiss store is virtually always homogenized, means that fat bubbles have been burst such that fat will not rise to the top. This alone gives a different taste and texture.

Next, the pasteurized milk is now pasteurized with a different process than in the past. It is not UHT but makes shelf life never the less longer. And also microfiltration. Furthermore I suspect that the UHT process became better so that it tastes more like pasteurized milk.

If you are after fresh from the utter milk, look for a "Milchautomat". Here two suitable for Basel city.
https://www.maienbuehl.ch/
https://stmargarethengut.ch/milch-frisch-ab-hof.html

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"Okay, I just hope we don't wake up on Mars or something surrounded by millions of little squashy guys."

Rubbish.

A cannot stand UHT milk, and can easily taste the difference.

Tom

I agree.

Rubbish.

I cannot stand UHT milk, and I can't taste the difference.

Me.

What do you want me to say? It takes me an effort to cycle and carry stuff from across the border, I would only do it if it's worth it, and it is. I'm honestly happy for you, I wished I had your standards for quality.

Regardless of this topic for milk, I find the food quality in Coop/Migros quite frankly appalling. I understand that the local farmers need to be protected for many reasons like landscape preservation and food security, but they are anyway unable to meet the food requirements for the country...

Yeah unfortunately I think there's only one place in the canton of Geneva somewhere in Meinier. Definitely not convenient for someone without a car.

Perhaps you have COVID.

Tom

Another option to buy fresh milk near Zurich (Frische Milch vom Bauernhof):

https://www.google.ch/maps/place/Fri...89!4d8.4584078

I'd agree in general but especially now due to the economic crisis.


That said, there are things in neighbouring countries that are better or worse -- as others have remarked. I'll add my list.
- French meat has disappointed me on numerous occasions -- too close to expiration, my fault I guess -- but the choices in meat, seafood, cheese and wine are without parallel on the planet. So many fun little things too, just step into the shop of any charcutier, fromager, boulanger, pâtissier... Hell, even Picard. And where the hell can one buy flageollets in CH?!

- Germans have some specialities that are hard to find in CH. I spent several years there and have good memories of maultaschen (okay, Alsace too), leberwurst, Nürnberger, weisswurst, etc. All quite afforable considering the satisfactory quality of most products.

- The Italians have some fine products at unbeatable prices. Balsamico, flower and oils come to mind. You'd really need search in CH to find anything comparable.
- Swiss soft cheese and wines are hit or miss. The choice of products is pretty limited compared to the average French grocery store.

which food is better?
Many Germans seem to prioritise fat cars over food standards. Google Gammelfleisch if you have the stomach!

Olive oil large bottle 13.50 CHF
Same bottle in Italy 2.99 Euro

Berocca pack of 4 tubes 45.00 CHF
Boots UK £7.50

But hey low taxes
Low crime
Roger Federer everywhere on every advert...

What more could you want?

I also quite like the good public transport, good roads, being able to see a doctor before I die of the symptoms, high salary, stable politics, skiing.