As the snow begins to melt and the first spring flowers appear, Easter is fast approaching and the marmots are waking up from their winter slumber. They emerge from their nests and begin to explore their new spring surroundings, waiting for the first delicious herbs, grasses and flowers to appear. Some of these same herbs and flowers are the ingredients of our delicious Swiss Alpine Syrups!
Fascinating little fur balls!
Did you know that marmots generally hibernate around 7 to 8 months and can lose up to two-thirds of their body weight during this period? That's an impressive loss! The reason they can do this is that they can adjust their hearts to beat extremely slowly and remain in a sort of state of preservation. Of course, they have stored food before winter, which has created the necessary fat reserves that they can then burn during their hibernation phase.
Different species of these fluffy creatures can be found across the Rocky Mountains of North America, the Asian Himalayas and, of course, our own magnificent European Alps. They thrive in high-altitude pastures and meadows at heights of up to 4,000 metres. Being well-organised family group animals, they live in colonies and are capable of digging deep burrow systems up to 20 metres long and 3 metres deep underground.
If we turn our attention to our own backyard, we have places here in Switzerland, like Zermatt, where the absence of cars results in extremely clean air, and the topography is an ideal habitat for these herbivorous squirrels. In summer, the sloping hills are filled with sunbathing marmots, sprawling widely on the rocks or even mother marmots playing with their young around the burrows. There's actually a special marmot trail with information points telling you all about these fascinating little creatures, in case you're interested in visiting.
As a diet, they will remain mainly herbivorous and will enjoy eating a wide variety of seeds, flowers and plants, as well as different kinds of worms, spiders and insects. Basically, all the nutritional things an alpine pasture has to offer will be a delight for a hungry marmot and his family.
The Easter period
As humans, we express a behaviour that is quite similar to our alpine rodent friends. As the days get longer, we soak up the first rays of sunshine on our faces, helping to recharge our depleted vitamin C levels. We want to spend more time outside our 'burrows' and catch up with family and friends to feast, and Easter is the pinnacle of this celebration of nature's rebirth.
Many people will see Easter as the perfect time to start a 'detox' and try to improve their health with the intention of being fit for the summer months. On a spiritual level, it can be a time for rest and reflection. Perhaps it's the perfect time for a quiet retreat in the mountains, where you can go and watch marmots waking up from their hibernation?
What's certain is that health and nature are key during the Easter holidays, and Swiss Alps Syrups offer the perfect addition to such a celebration.
Sweet, naturally flavoured syrups
Our syrups are made from the finest natural ingredients, sourced directly from alpine meadows in the pristine heart of the Swiss Alps. Each bottle of Swiss Alps Syrup is a testament to a source of delicious sweetness.
Whether you're making cocktails for Easter brunch, looking for the perfect non-alcoholic drink for the kids, or just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on holiday, these natural syrups offer a delicious option.
Of course, if you prefer to add something unique to fresh fruit in the morning or sweeten those incredible desserts, that's possible too. Swiss Alps Syrups are extremely versatile in their use, and with the different flavour options, everyone will have their favourite, whether it's a grandchild or a great-grandparent.
But what's really inside?
The main ingredients are extracts of Edelweiss, Genepi and Mugwort flowers. These plants are native to the Alpine regions of Europe and are most commonly used in liqueurs, traditional medicine and culinary applications. The Edelweiss flower even has a strong cultural significance in German-speaking Alpine countries, where it symbolises purity, love and courage. And as you already know, our local marmots eat these same ingredients, so they can only be healthy!
To create the colours in our bottles, we use organic products such as caramel and caffeine. There are no artificial additives in Sirops des Alpes Suisses, which means that the syrups are 100 % natural, gluten-free and lactose-free.
Our bio-engineers have developed four delicious options for everyone to enjoy: Cola, Peach, Tonic and Lemon. So whether you use it as a cocktail mixer or as a dessert topping, we've got just what you need!
Whether you're treating your guests to a non-alcoholic Gin Fizz with our Tonic flavour, or making your own healthy Cola drink for children and their friends with Sirops des Alpes Suisses, the options are numerous.
So, are you ready to join us and dive into Easter bliss with some new flavours? Visit siropdesalpes.ch to explore our range of flavours and start planning your Easter celebrations today. We've arranged a special price for you until Easter Sunday: all four flavours for just CHF 30!
