In search of the Swiss potato name

The potato - the undisputed vegetable darling of young and old, the style-defining star of Swiss culinary traditions and the celebrated queen of the Swiss fields. The names we know and use for them are just as diverse as the variety of uses in our kitchens. And although the popularity of the tuberous vegetable knows almost no bounds, surprisingly there is no single term that has established itself across all dialects in Switzerland.

This circumstance inspired Swisspatat and Jung von Matt LIMMAT to develop new names for the potato together with the Swiss Idiotikon and with the support of KI (ChatGPT) and to submit them to the Swiss population for a vote. This vote will take place from August 26 to 30, 2024 on the Swisspatat website and social media channels www.kartoffel.ch.

This vote was preceded by street surveys in various regions of Switzerland, which resulted in a collection of dialect terms for the potato that are still used today, which served as a database for the AI (ChatGPT) to develop new names. At the same time, the Swiss Idiotikon created further terms with the help of dialect dictionaries and knowledge of dialectal structures. Potato fans are now invited to choose their favorite.

Fighting for the public's favor: "Pohmel" and "Baunzle". The lucky winner will win the appreciation of the potato-loving nation.

Sonja Brönnimann from Swisspatat: "Imagine a raclette without Gschwelti. Or a Züri-Gschnetzeltes without Rösti. Hardly any other agricultural product has shaped our culinary heritage as much as the potato. Our main aim with the new name is to make customers think about the diversity and value of our favorite tuber."

Swisspatat's search for a Swiss umbrella term for the potato is not intended to replace the many regional uses, but rather to emphasize the importance of local potato production.