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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.

=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 there were 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 from the 1960s to 1990s significant, 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.