When we go to markets or farms, we tend to go for the classics: seasonal vegetables, artisan cheeses, free-range eggs and perhaps a loaf of sourdough bread. But the richness of our terroir goes much further. In the shadows of the well-stocked stalls lie original products, sometimes forgotten, often little-known... and always local.
Here are five nuggets that you'll come across at some of Farm'in's partner producers - a must (re)discover.
🍯 1. Dandelion honey: golden and surprising
This rare honey, from the first flowers of spring, is harvested very early in the season. It seduces with its golden hue, mild, slightly floral taste and texture, which is often more liquid than chestnut or mountain honey. Less sweet on the palate, it goes wonderfully well with goat's cheese or plain yoghurt.
Some Swiss and Jura farms sell it in small quantities - a precious, 100% local product.
🌿 2. Wild edible plants
Bear's garlic, nettle, plantain, mallow, hogweed... These plants grow naturally in our countryside, but some are also carefully harvested or cultivated by passionate growers. You can find them fresh, in pesto, in infusion or even in homemade syrup.
They bring us back to a simpler, more instinctive way of cooking, and are full of nutritional virtues. It's also a way of rediscovering nature at your fingertips.
🥚 3. Duck or goose eggs: the great forgotten ones
We're all familiar with chicken eggs... but did you know that some local farms also offer duck or goose eggs?
Larger, richer and with a thicker yolk, these eggs are perfect for pastries or generous quiches.
Less common, they are often sold direct and in small quantities. Ask your producer: it's the kind of discovery that doesn't leave you indifferent.
🍞 4. Farmhouse sourdough bread
Some farmer-cerealists ferment their own sourdough, grow their own cereals and bake their bread over a wood fire. The result is a rustic, nourishing sourdough bread with a thick crust and irregular crumb that can be kept for several days without any problems.
It's a simple food, but deeply alive, and a perfect illustration of the slowness and mastery of the old ways. A return to the basics, a far cry from industrial baguettes.
🍹 5. Artisanal drinks: syrups, fermented juices & kombuchas
Homemade syrups (mint, thyme, elderberry), local kombuchas, fruit kefirs or even artisan vinegars: a real artisan scene is emerging around fermented and alternative drinks, often based on wild or seasonal ingredients.
Not only are they thirst-quenching, low in sugar and rich in probiotics, they also tell a story of natural transformation and patience. Discover them chilled in the middle of summer.
🧑🌾 How to find them?
On Farm'in, explore the interactive map, filtering by product or type of producer. Many farms offer unique products that don't fit into any standard category.
The best way? Go and meet them, talk to them, ask them questions... You'll discover skills you never knew you had.
And above all, keep an eye out the next time you visit a farm or market: hidden treasures are often the ones you notice last.
Giving value back to the things we forget about is also part of better local consumption.
Do you have a favourite little-known product? Share it with the Farm'in community 💬